‘IT. GETS. BETTER.’: SOCIAL MEDIA SENSATION MAE STEPHENS TALKS HER LATEST SINGLE, TOURING ESSENTIALS, AND THE ROUGH REALITY OF HER 2025

It’s safe to say there isn’t a Gen-Z out there who hasn’t heard the pop-perfect voice of Mae Stephens, best known for her TikTok hit track If We Ever Broke Up. But she’s by no means a one-hit wonder – after skyrocketing into the public eye, Stephens has flourished even further, namely with her new, playful, empowering latest single Done With U. But behind all this glittery success, she’s been faced with some much less glamorous realities, dealing with some of the hardest moments she’s ever had to face. Read on to find out more about how Mae Stephens wants to leave 2025, and her advice for anyone who’s had a similarly difficult year…

While it’s hot off the press, talk to us about Done With U: What were the big ideas? How did you bring the track to life? Was it an easy one to make?

Done With U was the first song I wrote diving into the mature side of music! It was a new page for me to explore my sound as an artist. The song has a deeper meaning of having the understanding that you can cut someone off if you need to, and that it’s okay to put yourself first! The session was so fluid as Billented absolutely had a vision and brought it to life! 

And of course, the deliciously satire and cuttingly well-crafted music video is out too. What was your experience like filming this MV?

I don’t think I’ve ever had so much fun filming a music video! Not only because the cast and crew were amazing, but because of how weird and wonderful it was. Nothing beats being sat next to one of your best mates trying not to giggle at her reactions to a bodybuilder or a rectal firework! This video was also about trying something new, stepping out of my comfort zone, and I definitely think I did, haha! 

As it’s nearly the end of 2025, what’s one thing from this year that you’re completely ‘done with’?

If I’m honest … I’m done with the whole year. You know how every year people say “2025 is gonna be my year”?  I jinxed it when I pulled that statement out in January. This year has been so much pain, change, loss and grief. But also discovery and acceptance. I lost the two people who opened my eyes to my talent and it’s been the most horrific thing to process, especially in the chaos of the world right now. So 2025… I’m done with you… 

Next year looks like a pretty exciting one for you, with a UK headline tour kicking off in March. What are you most looking forward to?

Hearing people sing my music back to me! As an artist I will happily say there is not a single feeling on this planet that beats hearing music you wrote in pain, joy, sadness etc., sung back to you by people who it resonates with. It reminds me of how much of a blessing it is to be an artist.

Although it’s exciting, there’s no doubt that touring has its ups and downs. What are the must-haves for you when touring that keep you sane?

I’ve carried my childhood teddy on most trips I’ve been on my entire life. Through every event in my life I always found comfort in the one thing that had been there since I was 4. I don’t care what people say, you don’t have to disconnect from your childhood comfort items. Another thing would be my vocal steamer. I think I wouldn’t survive without the good ol’ Dr Nelsons steamer! 

Your success over the past few years has been skyrocketing and outright amazing, but what would we most likely find you doing outside of music? What keeps you grounded?

I love skiing! I’ve been skiing since I was a little girl and still find so much therapy in taking a glide down a black run. I love to cook too, I’m sure my friends have my back when I say if you come to my house you will leave well fed. 

Through your music, you’ve opened up about the hidden battles you’ve faced throughout your life and how you’ve overcome them. What advice would you give to someone going through their own struggle?

It. Gets. Better. I’ve had the worst year of my life personally. I’ve been put through emotions and had to make decisions I never thought I’d have to make at 22. I’ve hit a low many times in my life but the difference in my mentality made a change to my outcome. When I was a kid/teenager I believed that you hit the bottom of the barrel and there was no ladder to climb back up. I tried punching the bottom to get further down and ended up seriously hurting myself in the process. I see life in a different light now purely because I know I’m strong enough to climb should I need to. If you feel like you’re sat at the bottom, if you don’t believe you can climb, you won’t. If you do, you’ll keep trying until you succeed because you BELIEVE you can.

If you could collab with one artist, dead or alive, who would you pick and why?

Freddie Mercury. I can’t explain my love for him. I always think about the music that would have been if he were still here today: a voice that will be heard for generations beyond mine.