EXCLUSIVE: Barbie Almalbis on Weakness Being the New Strength in ‘Not That Girl’

By Moira Del Rosario February 27, 2025

It’s okay to not be the strongest woman in the room. In fact, Barbie Almalbis’ newest album says to embrace our emotions and to be vulnerable.

It’s not easy being vulnerable, and it’s never easy being a woman. Singer-songwriter Barbie Almalbis, however, sets herself free in her latest album and title track Not That Girl. In giving grace and hope, the artist hopes that we all be gentle with ourselves, no matter the situation we find ourselves in. The artist’s newest album is a collection of her personal reflections and stories of her faith, healing, and resilience. In Not That Girl, the singer openly expresses and embraces her vulnerability—a feat that requires tremendous courage.

Barbie Almalbis released her newest album entitled Not That Girl. — ^{Barbie Almalbis released her newest album entitled Not That Girl}

Embracing Her Vulnerability

While it’s not new for singer-songwriter Barbie Almalbis to draw from her personal experiences, her album is a manifestation of her hardships, written during one of the most difficult moments in her life, and yet she persevered. “It’s about grace and hope,” the singer shared passionately. “Though we’ve made mistakes in the past or things that we’re not really proud of, you can still change and give that same grace to other people.”

Barbie Almalbis is not afraid to wear her emotions. In fact, she proudly displays and embraces her vulnerability. — ^{Barbie Almalbis is not afraid to wear her emotions. In fact, she proudly displays and embraces her vulnerability}

Not That Girl became her way of processing her emotions, giving us a glimpse of her world, of her finding her way through her struggles and reconnecting with herself. One of the things that kept Almalbis strong and resilient was her unwavering faith, believing that despite the personal turmoil she went through, there was a higher being who guided her through the wilderness.

“It’s remembering what God has done and finding hope that He’ll see you through, even through the tough times.”
– Barbie Almalbis

The Gift of Music

For far too long, women have always been seen as too emotional, but what is so wrong with that? Being able to process and show these emotions is one of the bravest acts a person can do. What Almalbis did—processing her emotions through music and letting herself free, the singer didn’t know how this vulnerable act of hers became inspiring and empowering. Due to the supportive people she surrounded herself with, the singer has always had a safe space, never needing to hide her emotions.

Funnily enough, her inspiring and empowering music was a happy accident. To the artist, she was simply setting herself free. — ^{Funnily enough, her inspiring and empowering music was a happy accident. To the artist, she was simply setting herself free}

“It’s important to deal with them, not just for our own health, but also how we treat others,” the singer pondered about her emotions. “The love that we can give to others stems from our mental health. I believe we have to be free to explore, express, and process these things if we need to so we can thrive and be better people to ourselves and others.”

To the singer, music was more than a passion. It was her medium, her channel, her outlet, her safe space. Music has helped Almalbis connect with herself and her faith, as well as the people around her. From writing to recording, and creating art, the singer could only describe it as a euphoric experience.

Much like most musicians, music became her safe space, a haven for her thoughts and deep emotions. — ^{Much like most musicians, music became her safe space, a haven for her thoughts and deep emotions}

“Music has been one of God’s biggest blessings in my life. It was a refuge to me, a safe place for me to grow, to heal, and it’s brought a lot of joy in my life.”
– Barbie Almalbis on how music has empowered her

A Celebration of Faith and Friendship

In her 47 years, the singer admitted that she has yet to discover new things about herself, her ever-evolving music, and more importantly, her faith. “My faith has been a part of my life that has been dear to me and helped me a lot,” Almalbis said with an honest smile. The artist shared how she thought they knew everything there was to learn about her faith and herself, and yet, her belief has continuously uncovered one aspect after another, proving that she has a lot to discover within herself.

During the writing process of her songs, there was so much that she discovered about herself, her music, and most of all, her faith. — ^{During the writing process of her songs, there was so much that Almalbis discovered about herself, her music, and most of all, her faith}

It was also important to Almalbis to express the gravity of platonic relationships, not just romantic ones. “I guess many of us can be lonely because we think that every time you love a person, it has to become romantic, but there’s so much beauty in friendship,” the singer expressed passionately, needing for people to understand that there deep friendships can also be a source of empowerment and strength, especially in times when you feel alone in a challenging journey.

“This album celebrates friendship. It talks about relationships with people as well, how beautiful and vital friendships are.”
– Barbie Almalbis on Not That Girl

Most people yearn for romantic relationships, but Almalbis emphasizes how platonic relationships and amazing friendships can equally be as fulfilling. — ^{Most people yearn for romantic relationships, but Almalbis emphasizes how platonic relationships and amazing friendships can equally be as fulfilling}

Barbie Almalbis’ fifth album is an amazing journey of healing, navigating and discovering herself, and an important dialogue on relationships. Just from the chronological order of the songs in Not That Girl, she tells a story, all coming from her heart, using music as a way to express her emotions and to connect with her audience as if to say, “it’s okay to be vulnerable, because you’re not alone.”

Featured Image and Photos: NIÑA SANDEJAS