Frankie Grande is stepping into his own with the release of his debut album Hotel Rock Bottom, set to drop on June 27, 2025, via Casablanca Records. Ahead of the album, he’s unleashed the unapologetically queer single “Boys,” which is already setting dance floors ablaze with its infectious beat and flirty lyrics. “Boys” is a bold reimagining of Cyndi Lauper’s classic “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” now turned into a summer anthem for queer joy. “It’s my unapologetically queer twist on a pop classic—because boys just wanna get some!” Frankie shared, adding that the track was inspired by a “magical trip to Fire Island for Pride where I felt totally free, fierce, and fabulous.”
A Steamy Visual Celebration
The music video, produced in partnership with MISTR, the largest LGBTQ+ telehealth platform for sexual health, is a visual celebration of queer joy and representation. Directed by MISTR’s creative director Philip Henry and edited by Ron Katagiri, the video showcases steamy scenes bouncing between a gym and sauna, dripping with wild choreography and sensuality. It also features a cameo from trans model and actor Laith Ashley as one of Frankie’s “boys.” Grande playfully explained the concept’s inspiration, saying, “I was in Equinox and doing my makeup in the mirror, and there were all these very straight-presenting men flexing…and then they would go fuck in the steam room. So I was like, this is the music video.”
Discovering the Real Frankie
This new era for Frankie marks a pivotal moment in his career. Known for his roles on Big Brother, Broadway’s Mamma Mia, and his larger-than-life personality on social media, Hotel Rock Bottom is Frankie’s most personal project yet. “This is the first time that people are really getting to know just pure Frankie. And there’s a lot to learn, and I’m excited for people to go on that journey,” he said. His sister, Ariana Grande, even remarked that she was thrilled for the world to finally see the real Frankie, describing the album as “so authentically you.”
Reflecting on the journey to his debut, Frankie revealed, “I didn’t know that I had all of these stories that needed to be told through music bubbling right under the surface. But once I popped the surface, it all came out.” For Grande, Hotel Rock Bottom isn’t just an album—it’s a testament to survival, growth, and pure queer joy. His journey to sobriety and self-discovery pulses through tracks like “Rhythm of Love,” “Cognitive Dissonance,” and the titular “Hotel Rock Bottom,” which he describes as a reminder of the lowest point in his life that led to his decision to get sober.
Pride, Performance, and Pure Queer Joy
Frankie will be taking Hotel Rock Bottom on the road, with appearances at OUTLOUD Music Festival at WeHo Pride alongside queer icons Lizzo, Lil Nas X, and Kim Petras, followed by another performance in Boston on June 21. For Frankie, this new era is more than just music—it’s a celebration of survival, freedom, and unapologetic queerness. “I am representing for the community that has saved my life so many times, and I just feel really grateful today.”
