Rebecca Black is commemorating the 14th anniversary of her viral hit, “Friday,” with a playful nod to the passing years. On Monday, February 10, the singer took to social media to reflect on the milestone, humorously noting that the song is now older than she was when it was first released.
Sharing a post from Pop Base, which marked the occasion by stating, “14 years ago today, Rebecca Black released ‘Friday,’” Black, now 27, replied, “Girl, this video is officially older than I was when it dropped,” followed by the joking comment, “old hag!”
In 2011, Black was just 13 years old when “Friday” became an internet sensation, though the song was met with significant backlash. She faced intense online bullying, including death threats, and was criticized by many for the song’s perceived quality. Despite the harsh reactions, Black embraced the attention, even making a cameo in Katy Perry’s “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” music video and receiving praise from Lady Gaga, who called her a “genius.” However, the online vitriol led Black to begin homeschooling, as she revealed in a 2017 NBC News essay.
Reflecting on the bullying, Black described how difficult it was to face not only the taunts of those in her immediate circle but also the cruelty from strangers across the globe. She shared with Mythical Kitchen in January 2023, “That can be like, slightly crushing as a kid.”
In an interview with PEOPLE in February 2023, Black revealed that her dream of pursuing musical theater initially fueled her decision to make the “Friday” music video. She saw it as a way to build her resume as she aimed for programs like Juilliard. “I just knew that I loved to perform,” she explained.
Now, as she looks back on her journey, Black is preparing to release her upcoming album, Salvation, on February 27. In a Totem cover story, she expressed that the album represents a personal journey of reclaiming her confidence. “It feels like coming home,” Black said. “It’s been a journey back to that sureness I had when I was younger… It feels healing.”
Despite the challenges she’s faced, Black’s resilience shines through as she prepares for the next chapter of her career.
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