Role Model Is Redefining Pop: From Viral Hits to Acting Debut
Role Model is quickly rising as one of pop’s most exciting new stars. Discover how Tucker Pillsbury carved his niche, the breakout success of “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out,” and his journey from music to acting. Role Model is quickly becoming one of pop’s most exciting rising stars, and it’s not hard to see why. In an era where the charts are often ruled by powerhouse female voices, Tucker Pillsbury — better known as Role Model — has found a fresh lane for himself. His music is deeply emotional, a little cheeky, and undeniably for the girls. With a viral hit, a growing reputation for electrifying live performances, and an upcoming acting debut, Role Model is entering a new chapter of stardom in 2025.
1. The Early Days: From Film Student to Bedroom Studio
Born Tucker Pillsbury on May 15, 1997, in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, his original ambitions were hardly musical. During high school, he developed a passion for film and, in 2016, moved to Pittsburgh to study at Point Park University. But fate intervened: a skiing accident broke his wrist, and a subsequent skateboarding fall compounded the injury, confining him to his dorm.
With two friends’ music gear left behind, he started experimenting with Logic Pro — initially sketching rap mixtapes in solitude. His grades declined, and he eventually dropped out to pursue music full time.
Under the name “Tucker,” he dropped the mixtape Since When (2016). Shortly after, he rebranded briefly as “Dillis” and released his debut album Moth. But by 2017, he fully embraced a new direction — switching from rap to singing, adopting the moniker “Role Model,” and self-releasing the Arizona in the Summer EP. That project drew the attention of Mac Miller, providing a key early boost.
By 2018, Role Model had signed with Interscope Records, and he released subsequent EPs and LPs, gaining momentum with each release.
2. Evolution of Sound: From Alt-Pop to Heartbreak Acoustic
Role Model’s discography charts a clear evolution in tone and aesthetic. His earlier releases leaned toward alt-pop with synthetic textures. But with Kansas Anymore (2024), he pivoted to a more organic, introspective sound — weaving in folk, Americana, and acoustic sensibilities. (Wikipedia)
In interviews, he describes Kansas Anymore as his most sincere record to date, written largely in private, with the goal of crafting an album that felt cohesive, timeless, and emotionally resonant. (Atwood Magazine)
He cites influences ranging from John Prine to nostalgic songs that reminded him of home in Maine. (Atwood Magazine)
To support the shift, he surrounded himself with collaborators he trusted, many of them women, to give the project emotional authenticity. (Nylon)
When the deluxe edition, Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye), dropped in February 2025, it included four fresh tracks — among them the viral “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.” (Wikipedia)
3. The Viral Moment: “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out”
If Kansas Anymore was his sonic reinvention, “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out” was his breakout moment. Released July 11, 2025, the song blends indie pop and pop rock with acoustic guitars and a bumping bass line. (Wikipedia)
What propelled it into cultural orbit was not just the track itself but how Role Model turned it into a live performance ritual: during the bridge, he invites a fan or celebrity on stage to be his “Sally” — dancing intimately with him. The moment has become expected and viral, with prior “Sallys” including Olivia Rodrigo, Kate Hudson, Hilary Duff, Renee Rapp, Bowen Yang, and even Natalie Portman. (Vulture)
That spectacle transforms each concert into a potentially viral moment — fans film, post, and share. In doing so, he broke through the noise and delivered his signature performance style to millions beyond the venue. (Los Angeles Times)
As Los Angeles Times put it, the tradition of selecting a “Sally” has become a hallmark of his shows. (Los Angeles Times)
4. Why Role Model Resonates with Gen Z
Emotional Honesty
In an age of curated perfection, Role Model’s strength lies in vulnerability. His lyrics brim with heartbreak, self-doubt, yearning, and emotional messiness. Kansas Anymore is often called a “heartbreak album” — a clear turning point where listeners felt closer to him than ever. (Nylon)
Memetic Persona
Beyond the music, he leans into playful irony. On TikTok, he embodies the alter-ego @saintlaurentcowboy, blending cowboy aesthetics with high fashion, deadpan humor, and a knowing wink. This tongue-in-cheek presence amplifies his relatability and keeps fans intrigued. (L’Officiel USA)
Concert as Experience
With “Sally” moments and surprising stage guests, his live shows aren’t just concerts — they’re viral events. Instead of performing behind a barrier, he invites intimacy and spontaneity. (Los Angeles Times)
Reinvention and Risk-Taking
Few emerging artists dare to rebrand themselves mid-career. Role Model’s shift from alt-pop to heartfelt folk-pop could’ve alienated fans, but his sincerity won them over. That kind of reinvention shows confidence and artistry — qualities that Gen Z admires.
5. Personal Life & Heartbreak as Art
Role Model’s personal life has deeply influenced his work. From 2020 to 2023, he was in a public relationship with influencer Emma Chamberlain. Their breakup in October 2023 is a recurring motif throughout Kansas Anymore. (Nylon)
In a Nylon interview, he reflected:
“I have no regrets … it was beautiful pretty much the entire time … the best thing I took away … is knowing that I can do that … again.” (Nylon)
While he currently identifies as single, he acknowledges that heartbreak shaped this era of his artistry. (Nylon)
He also explores other emotional terrain: homesickness (especially for his Maine roots), existential uncertainty, and the longing for real connection. In songs like “The Dinner,” he channels his longing for home. (Nylon)
6. Career Highlights & Upcoming Milestones
Tours & Live Success
To support Kansas Anymore, Role Model joined Gracie Abrams’ Secret of Us tour as an opening act. (Wikipedia)
He also launched his own No Place Like tour in late 2024, which continues into early 2025. (Los Angeles Times)
Throughout the tour, he’s consistently delivered “Sally” moments and surprised guests. (Los Angeles Times)
Saturday Night Live Debut
One of the highly anticipated highlights ahead: his debut on Saturday Night Live (scheduled for October 2025). This marks a major milestone toward mainstream visibility.
Acting Breakthrough: Good Sex
Role Model is venturing beyond music with his first acting role in the Netflix romantic comedy Good Sex, directed by Lena Dunham. He stars alongside Natalie Portman and Mark Ruffalo. (The Hollywood Reporter)
In Good Sex, Portman plays Ally, a couple’s therapist navigating post-relationship life. Role Model plays a younger love interest intersecting with her story, confronting age gaps, intimacy, and emotional vulnerability. (RUSSH)
As he shifts focus to film, he already canceled or reduced appearances on parts of the Gracie Abrams tour to accommodate filming. (Rolling Stone)
7. How Role Model’s Rise Mirrors Broader Trends
Genre Fluidity
Role Model’s willingness to mix pop, folk, country, and indie mirrors a growing movement among Gen Z artists who refuse strict genre boundaries. His acoustic instrumentation and emotional core align with aesthetic shifts toward more organic, “unplugged” textures.
Fan Participation & Virality
The “Sally” onstage ritual is a perfect example of concert moments designed to be filmed and shared. In the digital age, creating Instagram- or TikTok-ready moments is now part of the playbook — and Role Model executes it elegantly.
Artists as Multi-Hyphenates
The crossover from music into acting is hardly new, but for an artist at his stage, it signals confidence and ambition. As audiences increasingly expect multidimensional creators, Role Model’s move to film is a natural expansion.
Emotional Transparency
In a climate craving emotional authenticity over postured perfection, Role Model’s heartbreak-worn honesty resonates deeply. His narrative of recovery, loss, and personal growth gives listeners something to hold onto.
8. What’s Next for Role Model?
- New music and collaborations: The deluxe edition of Kansas Anymore may indicate a standard for unreleased tracks or special versions. He’s already teased new songs and tours. (Los Angeles Times)
- SNL moment: His October 2025 performance will be a pivotal moment in mainstream recognition.
- Film debut release: The release of Good Sex remains unannounced, but it will mark his formal entry into Hollywood. (RUSSH)
- Continued growth in live experience: As his fanbase expands, the scale and spectacle of his shows may amplify — but the “Sally” tradition is likely to remain central.
- Potential genre expansion: Having proven himself in folk-pop, he might continue to experiment with new textures, sounds, or even orchestral elements. The story of Role Model is more than just another rising pop act — it’s an artist reinventing himself in real time. From broken wrists in a dorm room to viral performances and a forthcoming acting career, Tucker Pillsbury has turned adversity into artistry. With deep emotional honesty, shrewd internet savviness, and a willingness to take risks, Role Model is already beyond hype — he’s staking out a space in pop for himself, one Sally at a time.
If you’re watching the next wave of pop, Role Model deserves more than a look — he deserves your full attention.