What is Khia Asylum?

Aeshaan Singhal

March 20, 2026

The internet has recently been obsessed with the “Khia Asylum” a metaphorical location housing female pop stars who have songs with great commercial success but little cultural relevance, think of it as a famous person that no one really talks about. The asylum was named after the “Khia” singer behind “My Neck, My Back”. Some examples of pop stars in the Khia Asylum include Bebe Rexha, Ava Max, and Katy Perry. While you may have listened to their music, and maybe in the past been fans of them, there’s a good chance that recently you haven’t heard much from them. 

There are few key wards in the Khia Asylum, including, primarily, the “General Area Flop Ward”. Here you have your general pop stars in their flop era, including Camilla Cabello and Ava Max. These artists have had breakout songs, top hits, and songs everyone has heard, but unfortunately, have not been able to sustain that success throughout multiple eras. Their lack of commercial success keeps them in the Khia Asylum, until they find their key out. Charli XCX was in this ward before escaping.

Next, there is a “just visiting” ward, which artists enter when they don’t release music for long periods of time. For example, Gracie Abrams is on the verge of entering the “Just Visiting” ward, as she has not received significant cultural exposure recently, however, once she releases music soon, she probably won’t reenter. We’d have a lot of people in the “Just Visiting Area”, but legacy plays a large role in whether you’re in the asylum or not. Rihanna and Taylor Swift have such huge bases and legacies that they have no chance of entering the Khia Asylum. 

There is a way to get out of the Khia Asylum, which Sabrina Carpenter used perfectly to gain pop superstardom. First, she released “Espresso”, which was released in the summer of 2024, and used Coachella to change her public perception. In addition, she performed everywhere she could, at the grammy’s, VMA’s, etc, and released shocking content. Next, she created a brand, and an aesthetic, adopting the iconic baby blue, having provocative lyrics, and highlighting her talents. 

Overall, the Khia Asylum is a scary place for pop stars, and probably brings fear to their eyes whenever they hear those two words. However, it is possible to exit the Khia Asylum, but when one popstar leaves the Khia Asylum, another joins.