ROLE MODEL is the stage name of Tucker Pillsbury, an American pop singer and songwriter from Cape Elizabeth, Maine. He is signed to Interscope Records and is also associated with Benny Blanco’s Mad Love Records.

Early life and background

Pillsbury is born in 1997 in Portland, Maine, and grows up in Cape Elizabeth. His father, Rusty, works as a real estate appraiser, and his mother, Susan Pillsbury, is a special education teacher in Cape Elizabeth. He later lives in Los Angeles and is based in Hollywood by 2019.

As a child, he is heavily influenced by Elvis Presley and performs for his family while dressed as Presley. He initially intends to pursue film rather than music, and in 2016 he moves to Pittsburgh to study film at Point Park University. During his freshman year he breaks his wrist in a skiing accident at Sugarloaf Mountain and later breaks it again in a skateboarding accident. While recovering in his dorm, he begins recording rap mixtapes using Logic Pro after friends leave music equipment there, but he later drops out when his grades fall.

Career

Pillsbury begins rapping in 2016 under the name Tucker, releasing the mixtape Since When. He then changes his stage name to DILLIS and self-releases the album Moth in June 2016. He also performs at the Maine State Pier that month and later opens for Lil Debbie on her 2016 U.S. tour.

In early 2017 he adopts the name ROLE MODEL and moves from rap to singing. He self-releases his debut EP, Arizona in the Summer, in December 2017 after recording it in his closet. The EP helps build an online following, and after hearing it Mac Miller invites him to Los Angeles to work together. Pillsbury has said that Mac Miller is an important influence, particularly because of his connection to Pittsburgh, and he describes meeting him as the most pivotal moment of his life.

He signs to Interscope Records in 2018. His music video for “play the part” appears in November 2018, followed by the single “minimal” in May 2019. In June 2019 he features on Julia Michaels’s “Fucked Up, Kinda” from Inner Monologue Part 2. He releases the video for “hello!” in October 2019 and his second EP, oh, how perfect, in November 2019 through Interscope and Polydor. His first headlining tour, the “Far from Perfect” Tour, takes place later in 2019.

In February 2020 he releases an acoustic version of “notice me”. His third EP, our little angel, follows in October 2020 through Polydor and Interscope, along with a video for “blind”. In 2021 he releases the singles “forever&more” and “death wish”.

In February 2022 he releases “if jesus saves, she’s my type” with a music video and announces his debut album. “neverletyougo” follows in March 2022, and his debut album, Rx, is released in April 2022. He then tours on the “TOURx” world tour. Later in 2022 he releases “cross your mind”, and in 2023 he releases “a little more time”, with a video shot and directed by Emma Chamberlain.

Style and themes

ROLE MODEL often uses acoustic guitar in his songs, and his work is described as pop and bedroom pop. His lyrics deal with sex, mental health and relationships, and are noted for their confessional and relatable tone. He is open about his own mental health and depression, which he has discussed throughout his career.

Performances and associations

He performs at Lollapalooza for the first time in 2019. He is close friends with Omar Apollo, and he has previously been in a relationship with Emma Chamberlain.