Maine's Own Role Model Celebrates New Album with Hometown Fans

Tucker Pillsbury, the South Portland native who has taken the pop music world by storm under the stage name Role Model, returned home this weekend for a celebration that drew hundreds of devoted fans to the Bull Moose store in South Portland.

The Saturday afternoon signing event offered fans who had pre-ordered Pillsbury's latest album "Chuck Timely & The Hourglass" a chance to meet the artist in person. Store officials limited access to approximately 300 pre-order customers, closing the doors to the general public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to accommodate the crowd.

The gathering came just one day after Pillsbury's sold-out album release concert at Thompson's Point in Portland, where the hometown hero delighted the audience with tracks from the new record.

For Scarlett McLaughlin of Brunswick, the weekend marked a rare reunion with an artist she had followed for a decade. The 24-year-old recalled seeing Pillsbury perform years ago under the name Dillis at the Maine State Pier, adding that she had even kept photos from that early performance and hoped to reminisce about it during the signing.

"He was great," McLaughlin said of Friday night's show.

Amber Nacyk, 24, of South Portland, joined the pre-order line Saturday morning buzzing from the previous night's concert. "It was amazing with very fun energy, and I could tell he was having a good time," she said while waiting for the signing to begin.

Fans who walked out with signed copies of the album wore expressions ranging from disbelief to sheer joy. Some clutched their purchases with trembling hands, while others wiped away tears as they shared selfies and compared notes with newfound friends.

Kayla Jarry, 26, of Biddeford, praised Bull Moose for orchestrating such a smooth event and noted that Pillsbury himself made a lasting impression. "He really took time with everyone," Jarry said.

Emily Tucker, 22, of Old Orchard Beach, called the experience "super cool" and "awesome to meet one of my favorite artists."

Fellow Old Orchard Beach resident Laci Hall, also 22, recounted a particularly memorable exchange. "I got to shake his hand and he said my name was super cute," Hall said.

Not every fan who showed up had secured a pre-order spot. Briyanna Lubo, 22, who lives in New York City, traveled to Maine specifically for the concert but missed the window to pre-order for the signing. Rather than miss her chance entirely, she staked out the store entrance and managed to catch Pillsbury when he arrived.

The moment proved worthwhile. Lubo, visibly moved, held up her phone for reporters—Pillsbury had scrawled the word "diva" across its screen in black marker. The term has become a tongue-in-cheek hallmark of the Role Model persona, affectionately bestowed upon fans as well.

The buzz surrounding the album release extended well beyond Maine. Earlier in the week, Pillsbury promoted "Chuck Timely & The Hourglass" with appearances on NBC's "Today" show and "The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon" from New York City.