Who is Ava Max?
Ava Max is an American singer and songwriter who gained widespread recognition with her single “Sweet but Psycho” released in 2018, and since then has become a social media sensation with more than three million followers on her official Instagram account.
Ava Max Wiki: Age, Childhood, and Education
Amanda Ava Koci was born on 16 February 1994, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA. Her parents, Paul and Andrea, hailed from Albania, having fled the country in 1991 after the fall of communism. The family initially lived in a Red Cross-supported church in Paris before moving to the USA and settling in Wisconsin, where growing up, Ava witnessed her parents’ struggles as they worked multiple jobs without knowing English.
Ava began her musical journey at a young age, participating in Radio Disney singing competitions, and debuting as an opening act at the NorVa in Norfolk at the age of 10. Despite her early exposure to the music scene, she faced rejection when she moved to Los Angeles at 14 to pursue a music career, mainly due to her underage status. Undeterred, she relocated to South Carolina, where she attended Lexington High School for a year after being homeschooled. During this period, she began writing songs inspired by observed relationships, including those of her brother, Denis.
At 17, Ava returned to Los Angeles with Denis as her manager, but the partnership faced challenges and ultimately didn’t work out. Struggling to find producers and songwriters, she encountered difficulties that led her down a challenging path. Dealing with issues of isolation, she turned to drinking at an early age, and survived on a meager $20 per week; these hardships only increased her desire to succeed.
Career Beginnings
In 2013, Ava Max kickstarted her career with the release of “Take Away the Pain”, a track that was later remixed by Canadian duo Project 46 in July 2015. Despite her early efforts, breaking into the music scene proved challenging, as record producers and songwriters repeatedly rejected her demos. Additionally, she faced instances of sexual harassment during this period.
A significant turning point happened in 2014 when Max met Canadian record producer Cirkut at a dinner party in the Chateau Marmont. This encounter not only marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration but also changed the course of Max’s career. Singing “Happy Birthday” to Cirkut at that dinner paved the way for them to work together, leading to the release of “Anyone but You” on SoundCloud in July 2016 – the song gained traction, drawing the attention of various record labels.
Max’s career took a definitive leap forward when she signed a record deal with Atlantic Records in 2016. This collaboration with Cirkut was a game-changer for Max, who had contemplated leaving the music industry due to creative challenges. The partnership revitalized her passion, and set the stage for her future success.
At the age of 22, Max embarked on a search for a suitable last name to complement her stage name. Eventually settling on Max, the choice reflected a blend of both masculine and feminine elements. As her career gained momentum, Max further solidified her presence in the industry by featuring on Le Youth’s “Clap Your Hands” in August 2017.
Rise to Stardom
Ava Max’s rise to stardom began with the release of “My Way” on 20 April 2018, and her collaboration with American musician Gashi on “Slippin” in May 2018. She further showcased her versatility by being featuring in American rapper Witt Lowry’s “Into Your Arms” in June 2018, and releasing “Not Your Barbie Girl” as a promotional single on 13 August 2018.
However, it was the release of “Sweet but Psycho” on 17 August 2018 that marked her commercial breakthrough. The song topped the charts in more than 22 countries, including the United Kingdom, where it held the number-one spot for four consecutive weeks. In January 2019, it reached the top of the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Max continued to solidify her presence in the music industry with subsequent releases. She dropped the follow-up single “So Am I” on 7 March 2019, which achieved top 10 positions in Poland, Norway, Finland and the Netherlands. Collaborating with South Korean boy band NCT 127 on a remix of the song added an international flavor to her repertoire.
🚨 | Freaking Me Out. Blood Sweat & Tears. July 31st. pic.twitter.com/kAUsCFyUXF
— Ava Max Charts (@avamcharts) July 29, 2019
Throughout 2019, Max released promotional singles such as “Blood, Sweat & Tears” and “Freaking Me Out”. She also entered a joint co-publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Artist Publishing Group on 4 September 2019. The release of the music video for “Freaking Me Out” as a Halloween special and winning Best Push Act at the 2019 MTV Europe Music Awards further enhanced her profile. In 2020, Max continued her successful run with the release of “Kings & Queens”, which topped the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart in December 2020. Her debut studio album, “Heaven & Hell”, dropped on 18 September 2020, peaking at number two on the UK Albums Chart and number 27 on the Billboard 200.
Max’s collaborations extended to the country music scene, as she appeared in the music video “On Me” with Thomas Rhett and Kane Brown, included in the soundtrack of the 2020 film “Scoob!” On 13 November 2020, she featured on the BBC Radio 2 Allstars Children in Need charity single, “Stop Crying Your Heart Out”, which reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart.
The momentum continued with the release of “EveryTime I Cry” on 8 June 2021, and her collaborations on songs such as “Sad Boy” with R3hab and Jonas Blue in September 2021, and “The Motto” with Tiësto on 4 November 2021.
Continued Success
In February 2022, Ava gave a sneak peek at a new project by unveiling a distinctive cherry-red shoulder-length hairstyle and adopting a red and pink aesthetic on her social media. At the Billboard Women in Music event which was held in March 2022, she disclosed that her second studio album had been written during a challenging personal period the previous year. The lead single from the album, “Maybe You’re the Problem”, dropped on 28 April 2022.
A major announcement followed on 1 June 2022, when Max revealed her second studio album, “Diamonds & Dancefloors“, which was eventually released on 27 January 2023. Meantime, she kept the momentum going releasing “Million Dollar Baby” in September 2022, and followed it up with the third single, “Weapons”, on 10 November 2022. In a unique collaboration, Ubisoft’s dance game Just Dance 2023 Edition featured “Million Dollar Baby”, with Max herself serving as the dance coach. Continuing the album rollout, Max released the fourth single, “Dancing’s Done”, in December 2022, and in January 2023, the fifth single “One of Us” hit the airwaves. Her live performances took her to the WorldPride festival in Sydney, Australia, on 5 March 2023. The next big move was her first headlining concert tour, entitled “On Tour (Finally)”, spanning from April to September 2023, performing in both Europe and North America.
However, during a concert in Los Angeles on June 20, 2023, a shocking incident occurred when a man jumped on stage and slapped Max while she was performing “The Motto”. She later revealed that the inside of her eye was scratched. This incident was similar to the incident involving Bebe Rexha two days prior, where she was hit by a smartphone thrown by a concert-goer in New York.
Despite these challenges, Ava has remained active on the music scene. She collaborated with Brazilian DJ Alok on “Car Keys (Ayla)”, released on 30 June 2023. Her song “Choose Your Fighter” made its way onto the soundtrack of the 2023 eponymous film “Barbie”
Net Worth
According to authoritative sources, Ava Max’s net worth is estimated at $10 million, as of early 2024.
Personal Life, Dating, Boyfriend, Single
Ava Max is very secretive about her personal life. Despite her massive popularity she has managed to hide all the major info regarding her love life. According to reports, she briefly dated Cirkuit in 2021, and has since remained friends.
Appearance and Body Measurements
Ava Max has blonde hair and brown eyes. She stands at a height of 5ft 1in (1.55m), weighs approximately 105lbs (48kgs), with vital statistics of 31-23-33, bra size 36B.
Leave a Comment