Marina Diamandis has always challenged the idea of fame, and what better way to continue that rebellion than through a revealing, autobiographical poetry collection that lays everything bare? In conversation with Shon Faye, she was first asked how her new poetry book ‘Eat The World’ came to be, Marina took a breath, sighed, and said looking cheekily towards the audience “Well it all started on a shroom trip…”, to which the room erupted with a crescendo of laughter and cheers.
The audience felt like a proud family, a warm atmosphere settling across the venue as we got ready to listen to Marina talk about the inspiration behind her poetry, her self-discoveries, and what it’s like to be a woman in the media. Not someone to shy away from her experiences, Marina has always been honest. Known for “redefining songs about coming of age and the aftermath, with bluntness and crafty intelligence” (The New York Times), Marina combines humour and sincerity,
remaining an icon who feels as relatable as any other adult still figuring things out.
Exploring this disconnect between celebrity life and the everyday experience, Marina explained how she stumbled upon poetry almost by mistake. Once the psychedelics had worn off, she looked towards what she thought were song lyrics, only to find she
couldn’t craft nor confine them to her usual structure. It was then that the poems revealed themselves, and with this new lens to explore, Marina began her introspective journey in an entirely new way.
“I get a thrill!” Marina exclaimed, giggling as she described her relief at being able to show her ‘human-ness’ throughout this new book. In comparison, she shared that song writing had always been about fantasy – a way to explore herself through a playful,
exaggerated lens, sometimes poking fun at the pop-star persona she was expected to embody. With her second album, ‘Electra Heart’, Marina created an almost alter ego that delved into American pop culture and critiqued the archetypes perpetuated within, making it a darkly comedic and emotionally charged exploration of identity, heartbreak, and the allure of the American Dream.
‘Eat The World’ invites us on a reflective journey, wandering through a delicate dialogue of Marina’s past and present as she contemplates her vision for the future. She explores themes of disordered eating, male validation, and finding freedom. Marina
shared a quote with the audience that resonated deeply with her, guiding her through challenging times: “We always choose familiar hells over unfamiliar heavens” This insight rings true for so many of us, as we often stay stuck in situations simply because it’s ‘easier’ to go along with what we know, even though it stifles our growth.
Breaking out of that mindset can be incredibly difficult; whether it’s an unhealthy relationship or an unfulfilling job. But taking the leap toward something new, while scary, is essential if we want to truly grow. This sentiment resonates throughout her poetry, especially in the poems ‘I Don’t Want the Same Anymore’ and ‘Cocoon’. In a particularly poignant stanza, she writes, “This
cocoon will be / a casket if I don’t / start living soon…”, capturing her fear of being late in self-discovery and missing her chance to break free and become who she truly is. She goes on to say, “But I know the pain of / changing shape… Now I can see, to truly / live, parts of me / had to die.” Marina realises the inevitability of change and the sacrifices required to emerge fully formed.
The transition from girlhood to womanhood is a central theme in her collection, and Marina spoke with the audience about this journey of ‘self-actualisation.’ After a break from music, creating her two latest albums, ‘Love + Fear’ and ‘Ancient Dreams in a
Modern Land’, marked the beginning of a more introspective phase, prompting her to look inward with a fresh, mature perspective. Putting pen to paper to make sense of this transition, Marina delved into her new desires and aspirations, revisiting past feelings of yearning for male validation and the pressure to conform to LA’s beauty standards.
Entering womanhood had been a humbling experience, Marina explained. Reflecting on her career progression, she commented on the ways women are punished for deviating from an expected image of innocence. She spoke about how her choice to be child-free was met with controversy, and commented on the backlash fellow singer Chappell Roan recently faced in the media for asserting herself against rude paparazzi. “Womanhood is inconvenient to the patriarchy.” (Marina) Realising her autonomy, Marina’s insights on womanhood demonstrate the complex interplay between gender, societal expectations, and personal identity.
Releasing herself from the shackles of youth and expectations of others (men) allowed her to understand her own desires and self-expectations. So, what does it mean to ‘Eat the World?’ To Marina, this focal poem and thought-provoking title illustrate a range of emotions she discovers about her appetite for success, money, and love. Marina compares her emotional needs to her appetite; she is never fully satisfied. From craving attention and validation from men (who don’t understand womanhood), to feeling the overwhelming desire for success and chasing material goals, Marina realises that when she gets everything she thinks she wants, her emotional appetite still feels like a black hole.
She has consumed superficial successes while disregarding her deeper emotional needs. In this poem, these material or superficial things represent the world, and Marina is metaphorically consuming them. However, in keeping with the nature of Marina’s poetic journey, she is self-actualising and beginning to understand what will truly fulfil her emotional needs. Marina is
breaking free from the manacles of superficiality and the desire for validation. She is learning to feel complete through her own lifestyle and learning to love.
At the end of the poem, having now let go of these ‘placebos of love,’ she can eat the world and feel content. Marina will still have her successes: money, fame, and achievement. But now she has love. Her cup is full; she can ‘eat the entire world’ because she has created it according to her own ‘recipe.’ Marina explained that writing this book has made her more aware of her emotional needs; perhaps this process has led her to Eat the World…Forever, finally satiating her appetite for love. Marina’s book is a poetic diary of her emotions, which she has been brave enough to share with the world. Her third poem, ‘Pain Eraser’, highlights the courage and vulnerability she faced in releasing such a personal collection, and aren’t we glad she did?
Ps. If this isn’t enough to get your fill of Marina, she hinted that she is working on new music and projects for us to enjoy soon, so keep your eyes peeled!
Photos: Alice McDonald
Editor: Benjamin Decesare