Kimberly Cole’s latest single, BLOODY MARY, is not only a bold anthem of self-acceptance and emotional reckoning but also marks a unique moment in her artistic evolution. Now available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music, this dark yet empowering track reflects Cole’s personal journey of self-discovery and vulnerability, wrapped in an edgy blend of dark pop and gritty hip-hop elements. The track stands out not only for its haunting melodies but also for the raw and unfiltered emotions that drive it. For Cole, BLOODY MARY represents a powerful reckoning, both with herself and her listeners.
“The song is a confession to myself—a wake-up call to finally be honest with who I am,” Cole explains. It’s clear that BLOODY MARY is more than just a typical pop song; it’s an intimate exploration of buried truths and personal demons. Recorded in her sunlit home studio in Universal City, Los Angeles, Cole teamed up with longtime collaborator Jeeve Ducornet and co-writer Goldie to create a track that captures a moment of deep emotional release. “We wrote and recorded it while sipping Bloody Marys in our loft—it was fun, but also intense. Many ‘demons’ were released that day,” Cole shares.
Cole’s journey toward this level of emotional authenticity has not been without its struggles. She candidly admits that her earlier work was often influenced by external pressures, particularly from the music industry’s gatekeepers. “I was so heavily concerned with pleasing A&Rs that my creativity was dimmed by sonic culture trends,” she reflects. With BLOODY MARY, however, she breaks free from those constraints, embracing a more honest and raw approach to her songwriting. “Now I just write like a human. And then I sing it. And hope that someone resonates with my humanity.”
The track is also a continuation of Cole’s 15-year creative partnership with producer Jeeve Ducornet, who has been instrumental in shaping her sound over the years. Their dynamic working relationship, both personal and professional—Ducornet is also Cole’s ex-husband—adds an extra layer of complexity to the music. “We literally locked ourselves in a creative cave for years developing, producing, experimenting, and finding the ethos to our sound,” she says. “We can read each other’s creative minds and have sonically grown together. He’s also my ex-husband. We still create together. Keeps things interesting (and emotional) to say the least.”
Cole’s commitment to emotional honesty extends beyond her music. In her recent Q&A, she explains how the lyrics of BLOODY MARY delve into universal themes of vulnerability, self-doubt, and the hidden struggles we all face. “The song represents all that is hidden underneath, not in just me, but all of us. All the things we hide. All the things we would never ever expose. Not just from our friends, family, and the people around us, but from ourselves,” she says. The track, therefore, serves as both a personal catharsis and an invitation for listeners to confront their own buried emotions.
Despite the rawness of the song’s themes, Cole also acknowledges the fear that comes with releasing such a deeply personal track. “I’m afraid to release this record but the difference now is that I’m brave enough to be afraid. That’s the lesson to myself,” she shares. “I want listeners to be brave with me. I want to continue to do the things that scare me and inspire others to do the same.”
As if her music wasn’t compelling enough, BLOODY MARY also highlights another one of Cole’s lifelong passions: roller skating. The music video for the single features world champion artistic roller skater Trey Knight, who also happens to be Cole’s longtime collaborator and former coach. “My beautiful Trey Knight is my skating partner and collaborator in this video,” she reveals. “He’s a world champion artistic roller skater and used to be my coach. He also used to design my costumes when I was a little girl. To be able to get lost in art with him in this piece felt like a full circle moment.”
For Cole, roller skating is more than just a hobby—it’s a vital part of her identity and a form of emotional expression. “My roller skating story is long and vast. Not only has roller skating given me an outlet, but it genuinely saved my life more than once,” she explains. This passion led her to create a documentary titled BLOOD SWEAT AND WHEELS, in collaboration with John Legend’s Get Lifted Film Company, which delves into the subculture of artistic roller figure skating. “It was such an honor to be able to create with Get Lifted,” she says. “The documentary shows the life of the secret champion and the question of why me and my fellow athletes gravitated towards this mostly unknown, misfit, mesmerizing sport.”
In addition to her documentary work, Cole is set to play a major role in the creation of Starlite, a modern roller skating rink in Las Vegas, which is slated to open later this year. The brainchild of visionary Branden Powers, Starlite will offer a unique roller skating experience, blending art, music, and athleticism in a way that has never been done before. Cole, who has been named the creative director of Starlite, sees this opportunity as a natural extension of her artistic journey. “It was really important to me to make sure that if I was utilizing skating in my music, that it was authentic,” she says. “Bloody Mary isn’t a girl on roller skates trying to be a roller girl. It’s actually who I am.”
Cole’s collaboration with Powers has been a source of inspiration for her, both artistically and personally. “With Branden, anything is possible,” she says. “He cares so much about the most authentic of details and his oxygen is someone’s good experience at one of his venues. His work ethic is phenomenal, and we’re the same kind of weird. Which is the best kind of weird. Or at least we think so.”
As she continues to push the boundaries of both her music and her roller skating career, Cole is also on a mission to elevate the sport of artistic roller skating to new heights. “As silly as it sounds, I will stop at nothing to get this sport recognized as an Olympic sport. These athletes need to be heard,” she declares. Her passion for the sport is evident, and her determination to make artistic roller skating an Olympic event speaks to her commitment to giving the athletes the recognition they deserve.
In every aspect of her work, Kimberly Cole is skating toward an exciting and transformative future. Whether through her emotionally charged music or her dedication to the roller skating world, she is determined to make her mark and inspire others along the way. With BLOODY MARY, her upcoming documentary, and her role at Starlite, Cole is not just an artist; she is a force of nature, fearlessly forging her path forward.
