Tucker Harrington Pillsbury, professionally known as ROLE MODEL, is an American singer-songwriter who has carved a unique niche in the music industry with his evocative blend of pop and bedroom pop. He was born on May 15, 1997, in Portland, Maine, and raised in Cape Elizabeth. His early years were marked by a deep admiration for Elvis Presley, a fascination that saw him performing for his family dressed as the legendary singer. His father, Rusty, works as a real estate appraiser, while his mother, Susan, is a special education teacher, both contributing to a supportive and nurturing environment for his burgeoning talents.
Throughout high school, Pillsbury developed a keen interest in film, which led him to pursue a degree in film at Point Park University in Pittsburgh. However, his academic journey was cut short by two unfortunate accidents. He first broke his wrist in a skiing accident at Sugarloaf Mountain, and later, a skateboarding mishap resulted in another wrist injury. These incidents left him confined to his dormitory, where he discovered a passion for music. Utilizing music equipment left by friends, Pillsbury began recording rap mixtapes and learning how to use Logic Pro, marking the inception of his musical career.
Initially performing under the mononym Tucker, Pillsbury released his debut mixtape, Since When, in 2016. He soon adopted the stage name DILLIS and self-released his debut album, Moth, in June 2016. His early performances included opening for Lil Debbie during her 2016 U.S. tour, gradually building his presence in the music scene. However, it was in early 2017 that he underwent a significant transformation, rebranding himself as ROLE MODEL and shifting from rapping to singing. This change was marked by the self-release of his debut extended play, Arizona in the Summer, in December 2017, which he recorded in his closet. The EP garnered substantial online attention and caught the ear of rapper Mac Miller, who invited ROLE MODEL to Los Angeles for collaboration.
In 2018, ROLE MODEL signed with Interscope Records, a pivotal moment in his career. He released a music video for his song “play the part” in November 2018, followed by the single “minimal” in May 2019. His collaboration on Julia Michaels’s EP, Inner Monologue Part 2, further expanded his reach. The release of his second EP, oh, how perfect, in November 2019 through Interscope and Polydor Records, was accompanied by his first headlining tour, the ‘Far from Perfect’ Tour.
ROLE MODEL continued to release music that resonated with his growing fanbase. In 2020, he released the acoustic version of “notice me” and his third EP, our little angel, featuring the single “blind.” His 2021 singles “forever&more” and “death wish” demonstrated his evolving sound and artistic maturity. February 2022 saw the release of the single “if jesus saves, she’s my type” and the announcement of his debut album, Rx, which was released on April 8, 2022. The album’s success was supported by singles like “neverletyougo” and “Rx.”
ROLE MODEL’s sophomore album, Kansas Anymore, was released in 2024, further cementing his position in the music industry. Throughout his career, he has been candid about his struggles with mental health, a theme that permeates his confessional and relatable lyrics. His music often features acoustic guitar, blending pop sensibilities with the intimacy of bedroom pop.
Pillsbury’s journey from a film student to a celebrated musician underscores his resilience and creativity. Now based in Los Angeles, he continues to inspire with his music and advocacy for mental health awareness. His relationship with social media influencer and model Emma Chamberlain has also garnered significant media attention, adding to his multifaceted public persona.
