INTERVIEW: Mae Stephens on her new single 'Done With U': "I was told by so many people what I was going for was unachievable and that lower goals were easier and better to maintain. WRONG."
Published: 6 January 2026
The UK’s Mae Stephens is an artist with a story that is as inspirational as it is warm and fuzzy. Bullied at school for her neurodivergences, music was her therapy and ultimate dream career, but as she growing into adulthood working in British supermarket ASDA, her dream of being a musician seemed increasingly impossible.
Resilient and persistent, Stephens refused to give up and in 2023 her hard work was rewarded. Her fourth single, the jaunty, joyous-slash-biting ‘If We Ever Broke Up’ went viral on TikTok, leading to a record deal with EMI and a massive global hit - number 1 in Japan and China, number 13 in the UK - and 400 million streams to date.
She quickly became an artist in demand - collaborations with Meghan Trainor, The Chainsmokers and Alok followed and Stephens shared the stage with massive artists including BLACKPINK, P!NK and Tom Grennan.
At the end of last year Stephens released her new single ‘Done With U’. Written with and produced by production duo Billen Ted (Becky Hill, Melanie C, Rita Ora), the song is a dark, brooding electronic pop track with a squelchy synth beat and a cutting lyric that dismisses someone who has tried her for the final time.
“It’s only up to you to decide if a relationship is worth your effort, time and emotions,” Stephens says. “‘Done with U’ is a strong reminder of that. You don’t have to tolerate it let alone bring yourself to that level… you simply have to be ‘done with it’.”
2026 is shaping up to be another watermark year for Stephens as she launches her first tour in March, playing dates across the UK . More music is also on the way in what Stephens tells us below will be “a new era of Mae”. A magnetic performer with relatable music, an inspirational story and songs that really draw you into her world, Stephens is an artist to get excited about in 2026. We recently caught up with her to chat all about ‘Done With U’ and what’s coming up for her this year.
Hi Mae! Thanks so much for chatting with Women In Pop. How is everything in your world right now?
Everything is getting better! I think as the year closes I also get a lot of closure from looking back on my progress in both my personal and artist life and this year has been a rollercoaster
You have recently released new single ‘Done With U’, congratulations it is such a banger of a track! You have said this is about not being afraid of shutting the door on an a relationship that isn’t working for you anymore. Can you tell me a little bit more about the story behind the song?
I feel like ‘Done With U' relates more story wise to a few of my friends then it did when I wrote the song! It has been a message of strength for them and a bit of a ‘pass card’ to let go of something that isn’t helping you or making you happy anymore whether that’s a toxic relationship or friendship
‘Done With U’ was written and produced with Billen Ted, who have worked on music for some pretty big names like Zara Larsson, Becky Hill and Little Mix. What was the creative process like working with them?
Billen Ted are awesome to work with! The session flowed so well. I remember looking back on the session thinking “how did we write a bop this fast” haha!
The music video for ‘Done With U’ is an absolute gem! Firstly, where did the idea come from, and secondly what was it like to make?
My incredible director Willow was the mastermind behind the video! Taking a step out of my comfort zone was something I really wanted to achieve this year and I definitely think that video helped me achieve that. We spent two days laughing, cracking jokes and getting to know the cast enjoying every second of this weird, wacky and wonderful world we were shooting in!
What are your earliest memories of music?
I remember being very young around 4-5 years old sat at my Nan’s piano in their bungalow after school. I always used to place my hands on the keys and make something out of the crazy chord I had just pressed! I’d spend hours simply enjoying making up random songs about animals or school.
Your career path is amazing, dreaming of becoming a professional musician while working at ASDA, to achieving your dream with the massive global hit ‘If We Ever Broke Up’. What advice would you give to other young musicians who may be in a similar situation as you were?
My advice would be to keep going, keep pushing, keep trying. I was told by so many people what I was going for was unachievable and that lower goals were easier and better to maintain. WRONG. If you want to be a musician, actor, stage performer etc.. you go and do it. If you love something enough and you feel it’s your calling then give it your ALL. Kids need to dream but that doesn’t mean that adults aren’t allowed to :)
You have said music is therapy for you. A lot of musicians say this and I’m curious to know more about how it works for you, is it more therapeutic to record and perform a song in public for the world to hear, or do you get the same benefit from just pottering around with music that will never see the light of day?
All music is therapy to me. Both sides spark the same joy! I live and breathe the music I create and take so much joy in creating something that people can resonate with! Performing on stage does have a real spark to it as raw reactions are something that I’d hope every artist strives for, but my favourite feeling of all is listening back to a song after a session and hearing every layer you created, every harmony or adlib and standing back with a sense of pride over this wall of sound you just built!
You have your first ever headline tour kicking off in March, how are you feeling about this and what can we look forward to?
I couldn’t be more excited for the tour! Every time somebody mentions it to me I can barely talk out of anticipation! I’m planning some exciting things and throwing in some new music for this tour so if you do fancy hearing some unreleased bops come along!
For years the music industry has been a really difficult space to exist in for women, mainly because it has been run by older, white, straight men for so long. Things are slowly getting better, but it sometimes feels there is so much further to go. What are your thoughts on gender (in)equality in the music industry?
I’ve already had my fair share of instances being a woman in the industry let alone being 19-20 when everything happened! It taught me to stay vigilant and to never back down for the things I love or the things I want to push for my fans! The world is moving FAST and that means the industry has to either keep up with the times or adapt quickly. As a woman I will never ever back down fighting for our side and for our voice.
You have your headline tour coming up in 2026, what else creatively is on the cards for you next year?
As for 2026 I guess you will have to see! We have some epic plans for new music and a new era of ‘Mae’ is coming your way!
’Done With U’ is out now. You can download and stream here.
Follow Mae Stephens on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
2026 UK Headline Tour Dates
18 March - Norwich, Arts Centre
19 March - Sheffield, Sidney and Matilda
21 March - Edinburgh, Sneaky Pete’s
22 March - Newcastle, The Cluny
24 March - Nottingham, Bodega Social Club
25 March - Birkenhead, Future Yard
27 March - Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
28 March - Bristol, The Louisiana
29 March - Tunbridge Wells, The Forum
31 March - Bedford, Esquires
1 April - London, The Lower Third
