With a nearly sold-out 25-city North American tour, a standout role as Karen in ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’, and a new chapter as a mother, Waterhouse is balancing it all with the grace of someone who’s just hit her stride. “It’s wild to walk out and see a venue like the Greek Theater filled with people,” she says, still in awe of the transformative power of her music, describing the show as the most uplifting and memorable so far. “Especially in L.A.—where parking is impossible and people are notoriously hard to impress … Everyone was standing up, and the energy was great.”  

The journey to Memoir of a Sparklemuffin began with introspection. For Waterhouse, songwriting was a way to confront the gaps in her own memory, to chronicle the moments she’d rather forget, and to rediscover parts of herself she’d once locked away. “I started writing pages of my own memoir,” she explains, “piecing together memories, no matter how cringe or embarrassing. I wanted to see my life as a whole, not just fragmented parts.”  

That vulnerability has resonated with audiences, connecting her to fans in a way she hadn’t anticipated. “I’m drawn to the dirty details of people’s lives,” she says with a laugh. “Some of my favorite memoirs, like Liz Phair’s, taught me lessons that stayed with me. I hope my music does the same for others.”  She explains that some memoirs – like Phair’s – can even offer readers a cheatsheet for life, “‘maybe I won’t have to make that mistake because you talked about it.’”

Touring has brought its own revelations—chief among them, the joy of motherhood. “Having my daughter with me has made this tour infinitely better,” she beams. While acknowledging how isolating being a new mother can be, Waterhouse reminisces on touring with a team that feels like family, “There’s a whole band and crew of people who adore her. That part has been really special and lovely.” Stating how She says her daughter has changed the experience of touring in ways she didn’t anticipate.“It’s made me more present. Every day, I get to explore new cities with her. It’s not just about the shows anymore; it’s about the experience as a whole.” 

That sense of grounding has also influenced her music. While playing the no-nonsense keyboardist Karen Sirko in Daisy Jones & The Six, Waterhouse embraced a new level of confidence and collaboration. With her castmates bringing such a diverse array of musical backgrounds to the table, months of band rehearsals and live playing pushed her musical limits, an experience she describes as “exercising my brain more than I have since school exams.”  

Still, she’s quick to acknowledge that the road hasn’t always been easy—especially for women in the industry. When I reflect Reflecting on the 1970s-era sexism portrayed in Daisy Jones & The Six, Waterhouse also takes the time to acknowledge that they “probably didn’t fully capture the extent of the sexism in the ’70s. The dynamic of women holding their own in bands might have been portrayed with a bit more harmony than the reality. I think we romanticize it,” she says, “but it’s important to acknowledge those dynamics.”  

Despite her packed schedule, Waterhouse stays inspired by immersing herself in the art and music she loves. Recently, she stumbled upon an old YouTube account filled with playlists from her teenage years. “It’s like unlocking a portal to who I was back then,” she shares. “That’s been such a spark for me creatively.”  

Using her multi-faceted collaboration and appreciation of the arts in addition to her own personal chronicles, Waterhouse applies her talents to each new dimension with passion, care, and consideration. As she looks ahead, Waterhouse shows no signs of slowing down. With plans for a potential short residency, new music releases, and potential tour dates next year, she is only set to rise higher. When asked how she balances it all, she credits discipline and persistence. “Creativity can feel like magic, but sometimes you have to sit down and force yourself to work,” she advises. “It’s painful, but it’s necessary.”  

For Suki Waterhouse, that blend of grit and artistry is the secret to her success. Whether she’s captivating audiences on stage or inspiring them through her music, she’s proving that reinvention is not just possible—it’s dazzling.

Photographer: Muriel Margaret
Stylist: Cassy Meier
Makeup: Maggie Paridon