Pop Star Ava Max on the Real Story Behind “Sweet But Psycho” and Why She Left The Spotlight

Aug 28, 2025

In this captivating discussion, global pop icon Ava Max opens up about her remarkable journey from a first-generation immigrant to a chart-topping star. She reveals the challenges of surviving a predatory music industry and nearly quitting music altogether. Ava also shares the emotional toll of touring, losing her voice at a pivotal moment, and the importance of protecting her energy. With insights about her new album 'Don't Click Play,' she emphasizes resilience, the power of originality, and the significance of empowering women in the industry.

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ANECDOTE

Long Hustle Before Signing

Ava Max moved to LA at 14, returned to finish school, then moved back at 17 and spent five years hustling before signing at 22.
She describes years of rejection, studio boot camps, and relentless work that led to her first record deal.

ANECDOTE

Predatory Experience Nearly Ended Career

Ava Max recounts being locked in a room by a producer at age 20 and nearly quitting music afterward.
Her best friend Tasha helped her out and she almost left the industry before meeting better collaborators.

INSIGHT

Independence Needs Guardrails

Ava realized independence without protection left her vulnerable in industry rooms and shifted to leaning on family and trusted allies.
She credits close family ties for connecting her to better people and protecting her career.

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Global pop icon Ava Max went from a first-generation immigrant household to topping charts in over 20 countries with hits like “Sweet but Psycho,” “Kings & Queens,” and “Maybe You’re the Problem.” With over 70 billion streams and a signature fearless style, Ava is rewriting what it means to own your power in the music industry.

In this episode of The Burnouts, Ava Max joins Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni for a raw, unfiltered conversation about her rise to stardom — from moving to LA at 14, surviving predatory industry environments, and nearly quitting music, to finding her voice, building her sound, and creating a global pop phenomenon.

She opens up about the grind behind her success, the trauma and resilience that shaped her, and the inspiration behind her new album, “Don’t Click Play." Ava shares stories of losing her voice at the peak of her breakout hit, navigating fame while staying grounded, and why protecting her energy has become her top priority. Plus: what it really takes to build a lasting career in pop, the pressures of being “always on,” and her vision for a future stadium tour.

Whether you’re an aspiring artist, a longtime fan, or just looking for motivation to keep going when life knocks you down, this episode is filled with lessons on persistence, self-belief, and embracing your unique voice.

🎶 STREAM AVA'S ALBUM "DON'T CLICK PLAY"

Chapters
00:00 – The moment Ava Max walked into our studio…
01:00 – From Virginia to LA: the bold move that changed everything
04:00 – The brutal reality of chasing a dream at 14
07:00 – Five years of rejection… and the one “yes” that changed her life
09:00 – “My vocal cords exploded” — what really happened at the height of her first hit
11:00 – The night the Max Cut was born (and why it changed her career)
13:00 – Finding her sound: the secret to songs that empower millions
16:00 – What going viral really feels like (and why it’s not always what you think)
19:00 – Behind the curtain: the exhausting truth about touring
22:00 – The business of pop: labels, teams, and staying in control
24:00 – Why she disappeared from social media (and how she’s coming back stronger)
26:00 – Stadium tour dreams and a secret creative project you haven’t heard about
28:00 – How Ava Max turns doubt into fuel
30:00 – “Don’t Click Play”: the album that almost never happened

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About The Burnouts
The Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with today’s top founders, creators, and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond the headlines to share the real stories, lessons, and mindsets that define your 20s.

Past guests include Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and other visionaries redefining the brands—and the blueprints—of our time.

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