A Playlist Louder Than a Bro Should Admit

 Let’s be real,  we all have that playlist. The one we blast in our headphones when no one's watching. The one that makes us feel like we’re in a dramatic movie montage. For me? It’s a glorious, genre-bending, unapologetically fabulous Spotify playlist that makes absolutely no sense on paper... and yet, it’s pure perfection.

But I’ve got a confession: I never connect my phone to the gym speaker. Ever. Not because I’m shy, but because I know the moment Celine Dion starts soaring through the Bluetooth, or Cher belts out "Do you believe in life after love?", the gym bros might start looking around like the dumbbells just betrayed them. It’s not insecurity… okay, maybe it’s a little insecurity. But mostly, I like to keep the magic to myself.

So, buckle up as I spill the sequined tea on what’s living rent-free on my "Guilty Pleasure" playlist — and why I’m learning not to feel guilty about loving every second of it.

There’s something about a diva with a big voice and even bigger emotion that just does it for me. Celine Dion is the queen of making you feel like your everyday walk to the grocery store is a climactic scene in a blockbuster film. Her voice is drama — and I love every melodramatic minute. Cher, on the other hand, struts through the playlist like a disco cowboy in platform heels. Whether it’s the campy charm of Believe or her ‘70s swagger, she’s impossible to skip. And Diana Ross? She’s elegance and glitter in sonic form. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough feels like a soul-lifting sermon, even if I’m just wiping down a treadmill.

If the first group feeds my feelings, this group fuels my movement. Janet Jackson is rhythm personified — her tracks don’t just play; they groove. From the sensuality of That’s the Way Love Goes to the infectious bounce of Together Again, her music is a masterclass in controlled cool. Then there’s the K-Pop invasion — and let me tell you, I fell hard. Whether it’s the polished perfection of BTS, the genre-bending madness of SEVENTEEN, or whatever deep cut the K-Pop Hunters playlist throws at me, I’m here for it. These tracks are engineered to make you move, and they work every single time — even if it’s just on the inside while I pretend to be stretching.

Of course, not every track is made for drama or dance. Olivia Dean is the sonic equivalent of a deep breath and a strong cup of coffee. Her smooth, soulful voice offers the perfect reset — emotional without being heavy, fresh without trying too hard. She brings balance to the glitter storm. And then there’s everything else I sneak in — the “like…” in the playlist title. A little Shakira here, a surprise ABBA track there, maybe even some Broadway belting if I’m feeling bold. It’s a genre buffet, and the only rule is: if it makes me feel something, it stays.

f there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that music doesn’t need to impress anyone but you. This playlist might raise eyebrows if I ever accidentally hit “connect to gym speaker,” but honestly? It’s the soundtrack to my best moods, my private dance breaks, and my most cinematic daydreams. And that matters more than whatever the guy in the backwards cap thinks.

So if you’ve got a playlist filled with bangers you’re too afraid to play out loud — own it. Whether it’s diva ballads, bubblegum pop, show tunes, or whatever makes your heart beat a little louder, don’t call it a guilty pleasure. Call it a power move.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with Diana Ross and the leg press machine.

Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Ee5FYvJIrz1RlaH5jAsJi?si=18a0a1ff18564940