“Sweet But Psycho” Singer Ava Max: The Painful Truth About the Music Industry

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

🔗 FOLLOW AVA MAX
Instagram
TikTok
Website

🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTS
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn

📲 Support What We’re Building
Phoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts—they’re the founders of Phia, a fashion-tech app helping you find the best prices across retail and resale. Download the app.

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.

Subscribe now for the insider playbook to build your dream career.