Say goodbye to your toxic third wheel blues — Vini just dropped the ultimate clapback anthem, “I’m Happy for You,” and it’s fire. This 21-year-old Brazilian-Argentinian pop rebel turns all those messy feelings—jealousy, anger, awkward goodbyes—into a pop banger you’ll want to blast on repeat. In this no-holds-barred interview, Vini spills the tea on what went into the song, his wild songwriting vibe, and why he’s rewriting the rules of heartbreak one catchy hook at a time. Ready to get real? Let’s dive in.
What did you almost name the song, and why did you let that title go?
At first, I was going to name the song “Third Wheel Blue” and then “I Hate Your Boyfriend,” but the most repeated line in the song is “I’m happy for you.” That felt like the heart of the song. Later, I saw Dua Lipa had a song with the same title, and since I loved hers, I added the “I’m” to make it feel more personal, so now it’s “I’m Happy for You.”
In one sentence: What do you not want people to assume about this song?
I don’t want people to assume it’s about drama or hate. Only people from my hometown might know who it’s about, and that’s okay, but the song is meant to be open to anyone’s interpretation.
What was harder: writing the song, living the story behind it, or letting it go after recording?
Living it and writing it in the moment was definitely the hardest. I was so angry and hurt; the first version of the lyrics would’ve gotten me canceled. I rewrote it many times. But when I recorded it, I let go of channeling that moment: crying, angry, alone in my room. That memory helped bring the emotion into the studio, and you can even hear my voice crack during the bridge.
You describe yourself as a “Brazilian-Argentinian pop artist.” What part of your soul belongs to each country—and what part belongs to something else entirely?
Both countries are equally part of my soul. I grew up with both cultures, and they shaped me completely. I live in Argentina, but I visit my family in Brazil whenever I can. Being called Brazilian-Argentinian means everything to me. I proudly carry both flags in my music, my spirit, and my identity.
Were there any symbols, objects, or colors in the music video that carry a hidden meaning only you really know?
I’m a total Swiftie, so yes! There are Easter eggs everywhere. I won’t give them all away, but just know: the stars, the glitter, the nighttime setting… It’s all connected to the story. Fans who pay attention will catch on eventually.
How does this song connect to the larger story of your upcoming album or project?
This song wasn’t originally planned for the album, but when I wrote it, it felt so important that we made space for it. I did have to tweak some lyrics to fit the album’s overall story, but it actually ended up tying in perfectly with the emotional arc of the project.
What’s something about your songwriting process that you think fans would find unusual or unexpected?
I’m unpredictable with my songs. One day, I write something super poetic and metaphorical, and the next, it’s ironic or even goofy. I love mixing emotions and experimenting with genres. But my voice and the feeling behind every track—that’s what ties it all together.
How did learning English in San Diego open up new doors for your songwriting and expression?
It completely changed my life. Not just in school, but in everyday moments, parties, conversations, and real life. And later in London, I studied acting and filmmaking, which added even more layers to how I express myself. Artists like Lana Del Rey and Taylor Swift helped me understand how to use English metaphorically. Now I write in both languages and feel truly free doing it.
This is kind of funny, but I’ve always said that if I ever headline a world tour, my dream first show would be at Pechanga Arena in San Diego. When I lived there, I used to look at that arena and think, “Wow, imagine performing there.” It became this personal little goal, and even though it’s random, it means something to me. I’d love to walk on that stage and say, “I made it back.”
You’ve built quite a following as a TikTok star—can you tell us how you first got started on the platform and how that experience has influenced your music career?
I started making videos when I was 14, back when TikTok was still called Musical.ly. I was really known in the “Transitioner” community, which was all about creative edits, lip syncs, and comedy. Back then, there were badges for every style, like one for comedy and one for transitions, and I had a big impact there because of my resilience and consistency. Things really took off for me around 2020, but then my account got hacked right when I moved to San Diego and London.
I lost everything. It felt like the universe was telling me to restart, so I did. I made a new account just to post videos from the concerts I went to, and unexpectedly, it blew up. Now it’s my personal account, with over 130k followers, which is insane to me. TikTok gave me a platform, but I wouldn’t say it made me want to be an artist. That desire came from the artists I admire, the ones I’ve watched and listened to for years. If anything, TikTok just gave me a space to share the things I love, and now, that includes my own music.
If someone heard your music and said, “That song made me feel less alone,” what would you want to say back to them?
I’d probably cry and hug them. That’s everything I ever wanted—to make people feel seen and heard. I write songs not just from my life but from long conversations with my friends, too. So if someone feels less alone because of my music, that means the world. That means I did what I was born to do.
If “I’m Happy for You” is how Vini kicks things off, imagine what’s next. Follow Vini on Instagram and TikTok—and keep your tissues and your dancing shoes close.
