Now touring in cities across the globe, local pop princess PRINS is a force to be reckoned with

While in town on tour last week, Remix went backstage with pop princess PRINS and Manuka PHUEL for a moment between sets. The Auckland pop artist has spent the past few years moving between stages, cities, and studio sessions, shaping a sound (and presence) that’s hard to ignore. Now, with a string of major performances and international work behind her, she’s stepping into a chapter that feels a little more refined. Backed by Manuka PHUEL’s new Remixed range, including the Mosh Pit drink, PRINS is keeping pace with it all. We caught up with her to talk global ambitions, creative evolution, and what’s next. 

For anyone discovering you for the first time, how would you describe who PRINS is?

PRINS is a pop artist from Auckland, New Zealand, building a global career. I make high-energy, emotionally honest music designed for both radio and big stages. I put just as much focus into visuals and live performance as I do the music itself. It’s clean pop with an edge, and everything I do is about connecting with fans while keeping the energy fresh and exciting.

Tell us about your journey. Where did it all start, and how did you get into music?

My journey started in Auckland, where I grew up dancing from the age of 5 and performing whenever I could. I later moved to Christchurch to study performing arts, which gave me a strong foundation in music, stagecraft, and creativity. That’s where I joined my first band and spent years in the cover scene, honing my live performance skills and learning how to connect with an audience. I knew early on that I wanted to create internationally resonant pop music that truly connects, so I started writing, performing, and building a local fanbase. From there, I took every opportunity to tour, travel, and write overseas—from Australia to Europe to LA. Each place taught me something new about performance, sound, and audience connection. It’s been a mix of hard work, creativity, and learning on every stage, and it’s led me to where I am now: focused on building a global pop career with high-energy, authentic music. 

You’ve spent time across the world. Can you tell us where you went and what you learned from each place that has fuelled your music and creativity?

Every place I’ve been has shaped how I approach music and performance. The Philippines was my first international touring market and taught me how to fully step into popstar mode—the fans there are incredible. I’ve played 17 shows there, including my first international festival, Castaway in Pampanga, performing to 15,000 people. Australia and the UK have strong expat audiences and felt like a natural step up from New Zealand, helping me grow as a live performer and connect with new crowds. Spain and Germany showed me the global power of music. Playing festivals like Primavera Sound in Barcelona and Sommerfest in Bremen proved how a set can captivate massive, international audiences. Germany also highlighted cultural differences, but reinforced that music is universal; when the energy is right, the language barrier disappears. LA has been about levelling up creatively. Until recently, it’s been focused on writing with top producers, experimenting with sound, and developing music that works globally. Every city and stage has fuelled my creativity and feeds directly into what I do next.

You spent time in LA. How did that experience shape your music and direction?

LA has been about levelling up and finding the right team to help develop my sound on an international level. I’ve spent my time writing with top producers and songwriters, building my network, and exploring new sounds. It’s given me a fresh perspective on how to approach pop, both creatively and strategically. Everything I’ve learned feeds directly into my next project and has shaped how I think about touring, visuals, and the energy I want to bring to fans, both in New Zealand and globally.

Now that you’re back in Auckland, what have you been performing, and how does Manuka PHUEL play a part?

Since being back in Auckland, I’ve been performing at some incredible events, including headlining the Nexus Stage at Jim Beam Homegrown, sponsored by Manuka PHUEL. That stage was all about spotlighting rising Kiwi talent, and it was unreal to be part of that energy. Manuka PHUEL’s support of emerging New Zealand artists is huge—they’re not just putting their name on stages, they’re creating real platforms for artists to grow, get seen, and build momentum. Through their support of Synthony and other events, I’ve also had the opportunity to be part of something historic. I’m performing at the Once In A Lifetime show at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch on May 16, which is the first live concert in the new stadium, with SIX60 and Synthony headlining. That’s a once-in-a-career moment, and exactly the kind of opportunity their backing makes possible.

What kind of energy does PRINS bring to a room, and would you say that aligns with how Manuka PHUEL brings life to the mosh pit? 

PRINS brings a high-energy, confident presence, but it’s also warm and inclusive. It’s about lifting the room and empowering people. That aligns naturally with Manuka PHUEL as their brand is all about premium energy, feeling good, and creating moments people want to be part of.

What’s been the most defining moment in your journey so far? 

My first headline show at the James Hay Theatre in Christchurch in 2023 stands out. Moving from bars and clubs to a full production with a band, dancers, and visuals showed me what was possible. It was the first time I saw my music and vision come to life on a bigger scale. Taking that leap was terrifying but incredibly rewarding, and the success of that show gave me real confidence in my artistry. 

You’ve been constantly on the move. How do you maintain your energy and creativity? 

I’ve learned that if my energy drops, everything drops, so I prioritise looking after myself. Staying active, being in the gym, and constantly moving keep me switched on. I also genuinely love travelling, it energises me and fuels my creativity. In April 2023, my partner and manager, Luke, and I put everything into storage and lived on the road full-time until we set up a base in LA earlier this year. That lifestyle taught me how to stay consistent, both physically and creatively, no matter where I am. 

What does a perfect festival set or crowd feel like to you, and what kind of energy are you chasing when you perform? 

As much as I love festivals, my favourite shows are headline sets—those are the fans who are there specifically for you. There’s a full-circle energy in the room, where everyone is connected to the music. It creates this electric, almost contagious atmosphere. That’s what I’m chasing every time I perform… that moment where the crowd and I are feeding off each other. It’s loud and it’s alive. 

What instantly puts you in performance mode? 

A solid vocal and physical warm-up, plus time with my team, so we’re all coming in with the same energy. And of course, a strong pre-show playlist. 

Who or what is influencing or fuelling your sound in this current phase?

I’m inspired by artists who merge big pop numbers with attitude and energy, but also create unique stage show experiences—the kind of performances that stick with you. I’m also pulling from what I see in LA and global club culture, and is what I’m chasing with my music: songs that hit hard live, feel current, and have personality.

What’s next for you? Anything unexpected? 

Moving to LA and working with top-level producers has opened a lot of new doors. While releasing the Heaven or Hell EP, I’ve also been building my next project, which I’m about to dive into. Fans can expect a lot of new music and touring—both in New Zealand and internationally—including a big summer festival run. It’s all about keeping the energy high and the sound evolving, maybe in ways people wouldn’t expect from a New Zealand pop artist right now. I like to keep people guessing, but one thing’s certain: the next chapter is bigger, louder, and pretty full-on.

PHOTOGRAPHY Taylor Prichard

CREATIVE DIRECTION Georgia Payne

STYLING Troi Atkins

HAIR & MAKEUP Liz Hyun

PRODUCTION ASSIST Chloe Hulme