Fake Brat Billboards Are Going Viral on Social Media. Here Are Our Favorites

Some are earnestly manifesting artists who could be on Charli’s upcoming remix album. Others are just for the lulz.
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Although Charli XCX is referencing music industry charts when she sings “I used to never care about Billboard” on “Rewind,” the fact is that her fans certainly do seem to care about actual billboards, as evidenced by the numerous fake Brat highway signs that have been popping up all over social media.

In the wake of the (real) news that billboards have been “spotted” sporting the names of names of Tinashe and Bon Iver — spelled backward and in the signature Brat font and colorway — fans are not only speculating that both artists will be featured on the upcoming remix album (which the “360” singer announced in September), they’re also making their own fake billboards (with photo editing software). Some of them are hopeful manifestations for the remix album and others are definitely just for the lulz.

One doctored billboard sported the name of hitmaker Countess Luann, who has previously gotten in on the “brat summer” frenzy with a TikTok dance. The tweet also indicated that the signage for the Real Housewives star was found in Berlin, Connecticut, as previous posters have been featured in the artist’s hometowns.

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Fresh off her Louisiana wedding, Lana Del Rey became the subject of a fake billboard with a rather hilarious backwards rendering.

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While some people went for authenticity in their fake signage, others embraced the philosophical fact that fakeness is the true realness, as seen on this Tove Lo billboard.

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More than a few of the billboards featured names of musicians who still have a chance at being named on the remix album, such as Chappell Roan, Camila Cabello, or CupcakKe.

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However, some were decidedly more absurd, suggesting that RuPaul’s Drag Race and “Let Loose!” singer Loosey Laduca or TikTok star Trisha Paytas might be featured.

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Whether or not any of the billboards manifesting remix guest appearances pan out — personally, my fingers are crossed for Countess Luann — will be answered when the remix album, Brat and It’s Completely Different But Also Still Brat, releases on October 11.

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In the meantime, Charli XCX has transitioned from “brat summer” to “brautumn” with her ongoing Sweat tour, alongside co-headliner Troye Sivan. At the show’s stop in New York City, “Royals” singer Lorde even joined Charli on stage to duet on their hit remix to “girl, so confusing.”

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