Ethel Cain is about to disappear: Trans musician explains why she’s ‘closing that chapter’

After new album Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You is released, Ethel Cain will “close the chapter” of that singer-songwriter persona. 

The trans indie singer, whose real name is Hayden Anhedönia, has revealed that she will be leaving the character of Ethel Cain behind to explore other artistic endeavours. She is also a record producer and model.  

She has recorded under the pseudonym since 2019 and the latest album follows Preacher’s Daughter (and not-album Perverts).

This first album outlined Cain’s strict religious upbringing and detailed instances of abuse and heartbreak. The new record refers to a fictional boyfriend, who was a character in Preacher’s Daughter.

“You can only run so much from where you come from, Cain told Them in 2022. “Ethel was my scapegoat: she kept running and ended up chained to a bed in an attic. If I’m the good ending, she’s the bad one.”

‘I have to go back out now and live’

And now she has told Popcast: “Preacher’s Daughter was speaking on my experience in the Church and as a child. Willoughby Tucker is more of my insecurities and frustrations and fears and inadequacies in love. It’s just as personal, just on a different tip.

“But all of this, since the debut, has to do with Ethel Cain, the granddaughter’s character. Now, after this record is over, we are officially closing that chapter.

“I built Ethel Cain, based [on] 27 years of life. I have to go back out now and live and get more experience.”

She also spoke about the recent backlash she faced when past controversial social media posts resurfaced. Cain used the racist n-word slur and wrote “build that wall” in response to a post on Tumblr mocking Latinx people. The phrase is a sentiment popularised by supporters of president Donald Trump’s anti-immigration stance.

The singer agreed that the criticism she faced was valid but added she was “pursuing legal recourse” for what she described as a “massive smear campaign” against her.

Addressing the controversy again, she apologised for “shameful” and “embarrassing” posts. 

“For every bit of pain you have caused, you have to turn around and atone for it,” she said. “When I look at that person, I see someone who did not care about their life and did not care about what they said. They said if no one cares about me, and if I hurt, then I’m going to say and do whatever.”

Cain will set out on a tour of the US later this month and of the UK in October. 

Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You is out on Friday (8 August). You can pre-order here. 

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.