"Actress" is the eleventh track from Tori Kelly's third studio album, Inspired by True Events. It was released on August 9, 2019 through Capitol Records.
Background[]
The song is inspired by an actress Tori met in LA and asked “is it easier to play a character like yourself or the complete opposite?‘, the actress said 'it’s so much easier to play someone unlike yourself’ and she used that as inspiration for the song.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
She don't smile too much
But when she does, it's just enough to make you smile back
She don't cry too much
But when she does, it's just enough to make you feel bad
[Pre-Chorus]
She got dreams to be seen on screens by everyone
But underneath, truly, just wants to be known by anyone
She's in the fast lane, making big waves, so there's no time for her heart
Can't slow down now
[Chorus]
She said it's easier to be an actress
Call me insane or call me an addict
But like champagne when it touches my lips
I can choose who I wanna be
Yeah, it's easier to be an actress
Fresh tear stains are found on the mattress
Hide my pain, I can never admit
That I'm sick of all this
But nuh-uh, it's easier to be an actress
Yeah
Oh-whoa
[Verse 2]
She don't fall in love
'Cause that would mean gotta let 'em see behind the mask, oh
And she don't know enough
About how beautiful she is without all the magic tricks that she's hiding
[Pre-Chorus]
And she got dreams to be seen on screens by everyone
But underneath, truly, just wants to be close to anyone
But you gotta fake it 'til you make it
So there's no time to be real
Can't slow down now
[Chorus]
She said it's easier to be an actress
Call me insane or call me an addict
But like champagne when it touches my lips
And I can choose who I wanna be
Yeah, it's easier to be an actress
Fresh tear stains are found on the mattress
Hide my pain, I can never admit
That I'm sick of all this
But nuh-uh, it's easier to be an actress
Yeah, oh
Nuh-uh, it's easier to be an actress
Oh, yeah
[Outro]
It's easier, mmm