07/01/2025
Pride. There is no better way to describe Frankie Grande’s debut album “Hotel Rock Bottom” besides the story of taking pride in who you are, where you have come from, how you have grown and the experiences you have made you who you are. The debut album from the multi-talented artist gives listeners a piece of his journey through addiction, recovery, meeting his husband and where he is now.
With the opportunity from @1824, we had the chance to talk with Frankie as he sat in his house and shared stories that made “Hotel Rock Bottom.” In full glam, he was an open book, creating a lively and comfortable look into his everyday life. He invited all of us into his life like the album invites listeners. Frankie states, “The whole point of the album is to show my truth.”
When asked about the title track and if Hotel Rock Bottom is a real place, Frankie said yes, but he doesn’t remember where it is. This makes the hotel a representation of acceptance, “Hotel Rock Bottom truly is about my rock bottom moment where I made the decision to leave, check out, and get sober. So it’s a real place.” The ability to connect feelings allows listeners to connect with Frankie. He beautifully describes the setting of acceptance whether it is our beds, cars, homes, or in his experience a hotel, and not hiding from our truth.
Beyond the vulnerability, the album has a constant theme of the dance floor, a place where people can go to escape and truly be free. When asked about what the dance floor represents, Frankie said community, “I just came alive on the dance floor, and I felt like I was okay exactly the way that I was when I was dancing in a club.” With the upbeat pop tracks like the lead single “Boys,” this album gives space for each listener to create their own dance floor.
Frankie has long been a star, but his debut album sends us to space and allows us to learn about each light that makes him shine. By performing at Pride festivals around the country, the community isn’t just for him, it is for every listener as well. Frankie Grande’s music doesn’t just express vulnerability, it allows every listener to shine with him.
