Where have you been? How are you?
I'm good. You're making me blush; this is my first interview back. I switched management mid-album cycle. I knew it was a really tough decision, and a lot of people were saying, "Maybe don't do it." And then the other half were saying, "Yeah, you should do it, because you're not getting the proper support you need." My support, I guess, it is just a little bit different than what I had in the past. I had to do a complete reset.

 

What was that reset like?

I had to go away from social media because all of the comments were just pretty negative. I got pretty emotional and down. I had to step away. I was trying to please everybody. I was being pulled from so many different directions.

 

What's your response to the fan conversation about your well-being? Are you OK?

I so appreciate how much they care and talk about my well-being. I'm just so grateful. I want to let them know I am OK. I'm more than OK.

 

What changed?

Sometimes it feels like things get thrown at you and you're like, "Which way do I go?" And I am such a people pleaser and I try to please everybody, and I lost myself in the end. So now I'm like, I'm back to focusing on my fans and me. And to be honest, the last few weeks, I have never been happier. I'm really making sure the next tour is perfect, so that's what I'm working on right now. I'm excited to re-announce it.

 

The chatter has been like, "Oh, she's rebelling."

I mean, Ava Max has been the biggest mismanaged pop star ever. That's how it feels. That's how the comments put it out to be, right? That's how I feel. But my love for music stays, and that's why I'm still going to be making consistent pop music until I'm like 100 years old (if I'm lucky), because pop music is in my veins. But have I been mismanaged in the past? That's for the fans to decide.

 

That's really important. How much of the past year has been in your control?
I want people to know that some things are just out of my control, and there's nothing I can do about it. A lot of it, the last year, has been out of my control. It's interesting because a lot of people like to control my situation. I'm a strong female, and I say what I feel. And so when something feels wrong or I don't think it represents my art, I speak up. I think sometimes I offend people with big egos. I feel like sometimes that can sabotage me. It's something I've always dealt with since the beginning, since "Sweet but Psycho."

 

You also address some of the hate on there, especially about your samples in music, and even the comparisons to Lady Gaga.

The comments about everything going on are just insane. And I feel like it's constant, and that's why I wanted to put it in "Don't Click Play," the title track. It's kind of important for me to put that in there.

 

You addressed it in a way that you're owning it a little bit, or you're in on the joke.

One thousand percent. I'm never dissing anybody in my music like that. It's an empowering thing to bring two fan bases together.

 

Let's talk about it. How different was it to make a new album with a different team?

I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hard. I was so used to working with my main producer at the time, Cirkut. I think for me it was emotional. I couldn't get into a studio without crying, and it actually took a month and a half for me to feel comfortable recording without him. And I did end up eventually finding an amazing group of producers that I absolutely love, who are now like family. Pink Slip and Inverness and David Stewart. I think it's wonderful to get yourself out of your comfort zone.

 

Some more excerpts from the interview, a must-read:

 

Spoiler

What's the goal of Don't Click Play?
This album was not only to prove to the fans, but to prove to myself that, yes, I can make pop songs on my own, and to prove to everybody that I am the reason why "Sweet but Psycho" exists and "Kings & Queens" exists. It's because I put my story in those songs, and I worked really hard on those songs. A lot of people thought I couldn't make another pop song without my last collaborators.

 

Why didn't you do the classic "Ava Max postpones album release" for this album then?
I truly was going back and forth, I am making music because I love music. I can go to the studio right now and make another album in two months. That is my bread and butter. But I don't want to hold music from the fans anymore. And that's why, as you see, everyone's saying, "Oh, my God, she had so many singles on this album." It's not that I wanted to have so many singles; it's that I wanted the fans to have the music. I fight every single day to put my music out. 

 

Let's talk about it. How different was it to make a new album with a different team?
I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hard. I was so used to working with my main producer at the time, Cirkut. I think for me it was emotional. I couldn't get into a studio without crying, and it actually took a month and a half for me to feel comfortable recording without him. And I did end up eventually finding an amazing group of producers that I absolutely love, who are now like family. Pink Slip and Inverness and David Stewart. I think it's wonderful to get yourself out of your comfort zone. 

 

I'm just going to ask straight up. Does that have to do with your label [Atlantic] or just your management?
I definitely don't want to get into those logistics. I just want to tell the fans that I always want to put out music for them. There's nothing I can do about the way it's promoted. All I can do is make pop music that resonates with me, and empowers you and empowers myself at the same time. I know the fans talk about it, but there's nothing I can do about the way other people promote and use my music. I can only control me.

 

One thing I wanted to bring up before we end: I think one of your fans' struggles has been figuring out your identity: Like, who is Ava Max? What sets her apart? What's her story? 
I'm really happy you asked this. Ever since "Sweet but Psycho" came out, I just jumped into interviews and performances, and I got lost in just the art, that I almost lost me. I didn't know how to even identify myself in the beginning of my career. It was all so fast, and I was working constantly. I was so young, and it was a whirlwind, to be honest. Having this delay made me realize that I want to open up to my fans finally. And I think it's time to let them know who Ava Max really is. So, yes, in the next six months you'll be seeing a different me.

 

I'm happy to hear that.
That made me emotional, actually. Oh, my God. [Wipes tear.] I feel like I owe it to them to finally open up 100 percent. I'm no longer afraid. And I don't care what anyone thinks about me anymore. I've let my hair down. Officially.

 

Full: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/ava-max-dont-click-play-interview-breaks-silence-1235412712/

Edited August 22, 2025Aug 22 by GRETCHEN

The album is good so I think she made her point. 

Loved this interview, it's the first time I think she's opening up and being genuine 

most beautiful woman ever 

The interview is very enlightening. Finally, a bit of substance to Ava Max's persona 
 

It's sad that she kind of feels like she's being sidelined by the label and industry executives and is trying to turn that around

 

I hope she proves them all wrong 

I feel so bad for her about Madison Love situation, label and Cirkut. Seems like they really were taking on her mental health and her confidence.

 

also super sad her new album will massively underperform. Its so good.

Her ARTPOP era 

She did what she set to do and delivered another great pop album.

I hate to be that guy bc I really like her and root for her but she's not really "proving them wrong" so far bc eventhough she managed to put out an album without them (which is a small win in itself) it's gonna be her least successful one.

 

She needs a hit, period. DJ colab? Another sample? Whatever it takes but she needs it just to get her lick back and stops just speaking things into existence.

 

I truly wish her the best. Making some coin without them will definitely boost her confidence so fingers crossed a tour is actually gonna happen.

Man Atlantic Records Sucks! If I was a new artist prospect why would I ever think about signing to them?The whole label restructuring really messed up things.

She still didn't answer the question "who is Ava Max and what sets her apart". Hopefully the album helps with that. 

Finally a food open and honest interview. I love it. Time to bop to the album 

 I love you, Ava! 

She's still not giving anything besides "sad". I still dont know who she is or why i should listen to this album

i feel for her. say whatever about her and her lack of brand identity but she still managed to put out an album regardless of the million different things she was going through, she should be proud of that.

She's taking it  @Sexyzinger

1 hour ago, GRETCHEN said:

One thing I wanted to bring up before we end: I think one of your fans' struggles has been figuring out your identity: Like, who is Ava Max? What sets her apart? What's her story? 

Damn he couldn't end the interview without lashing her first

 

The fact that you can tell she still has no idea what her brand is supposed to be

13 minutes ago, Bimbo said:

Damn he couldn't end the interview without lashing her first

 

The fact that you can tell she still has no idea what her brand is supposed to be

Exactly… she couldn't even answer the question.  How did she get this far into her music career and not figure that out yet?  She knows how to make good pop music, but to have a successful career and grow your fan base, you need an identity beyond a haircut.  

Yeah she definitely still needs a brand, an identity, something that sets het apart. 

 

I'm still supporting her because she always makes pop bangers! 

 

1 hour ago, Dom said:

I feel so bad for her about Madison Love situation, label and Cirkut. 

Wait I just realized there's Madison Love AND Madison Beer, I thought it was one person 

#143, Ava Max!!

It seems like she really wants to tour and her previous management somehow prevented her from that.

Regarding the movie comment, I guess she scored the soundtrack for a big upcoming movie.

She's doing the Avatar: Fire and Ash theme song?

Edited August 22, 2025Aug 22 by Dark Vegas

The identity factor is the problem but she can build it with this new era. 

1 hour ago, Europe said:

It seems like she really wants to tour and her previous management somehow prevented her from that.

Regarding the movie comment, I guess she scored the soundtrack for a big upcoming movie.

Devil Wears Prada? That would be a good get for her.

i love her! music is always serving