Personality of the year in music, Ava Max: 2020 was crazy, I’m very proud being Albanian – the future is bright!

PLEASE, CLICK HERE, IF YOU WANT TO READ THIS INTERVIEW IN ALBANIAN LANGUAGE.

She is without doubt one of the most successful Albanians in the international arena.

With origin from Albania, but born and raised in the United States, Amanda Ava Koçi, artistically known as Ava Max, grew up wanting to pursue music, perhaps without thinking that one day she would be an international star.

It was exactly the year 2018 when the world got acquainted with her talent, which with the debut song “Sweet but Psycho”, managed to hit the hearts of the public, achieving that her song is heard no less than a billion times on what is known as the largest music platform in the world, Spotify.

Telegrafi which is known as bigges Albanian Portal, selected the singer from Albania, Ava Max as “The personality of 2020 in the music industry” and for this there are many reasons .

Ava Max’s successes over the past year were countless. Her debut album “Heaven and Hell” which went on sale is the third most listened album of the year by a female artist on Spotify. She has also been nominated for major music events throughout the year such as the “MTV Video Music Awards”, “People’s Choice Music”, and “LOS 40 Music Awards”, where in the latter she was also awarded.

Ava Max comes in an exclusive interview for Telegrafi and at the same time the first for a medium in Kosovo, telling about her many successes she enjoyed during 2020, the difficulties to get where she is and the plans to visit Albania in the near future…

Ava Max, you have reached world’s heights with your success in music. Tell us how are you enjoying this success?

First off, that’s incredibly kind to be considered the Personality of the Year. I’m honored to even be considered especially during such a crazy time for the year. I think my favorite part of people recognizing me, my music (and my haircut) is that I have a larger platform to share my music. My love is performing and making people feel good through my music and to know that I get to touch millions of people daily through my songs is beyond fulfilling.

This year, you released your first album in the studio, “Heaven and Hell”, which is the third most streamed album of the year by a female artist on Spotify. Tell us more about this album and are you happy that your album is loved among fans?

I promise not to start every question response by saying THAT IS CRAZY! But, that is absolutely wild. I’m so overcome with emotion thinking about it. I have so much love for my fans (my “Avatars”).

Heaven & Hell is an album about duality. It’s about the tension between good and bad, right and wrong, yes and no. I think we all feel that tension daily in how we act, what we say and the actions we choose – it’s one of life’s biggest juxtapositions. I love exposing that through my music – and you can see it in a lot of the titles like “Sweet but Psycho” or “Kings and Queens.” I want my music to be anthemic and empowering and that’s what this album is. I want people to dance. I want people to feel strong like they can take on their dreams. That’s what I put into my music.

“Sweet but Psycho” it was definitely the song that change your life. How you do you feel for the success of this song after almost 3 years since it published?

It still feels new even though it’s been 3 years since it’s been published. I feel like the song came out and the world told me, “GO!” I haven’t really stopped since (aside from no traveling during this pandemic). I had never really been outside of the US before releasing Psycho and now, in what feels like a very short time, I’ve traveled almost the entire world.

Psycho will always hold such an important place in my heart – not only because of what it’s done for me but also because I never really tire of it. Even after 3 years I’m finding new ways to perform it and new things for it to do. Also, watching the joy in people’s faces when it comes on will never get old. Ever.

We left a tough year behind. How hard it was for you 2020? (Pandemic situation, without concerts, shows, music events etc.)?

2020 was definitely a tough year for me but I’m still incredibly fortunate. Despite the pandemic, I still got to do many things and stay connected with the world through my music. I was still able to work which is more than a lot of people can say so I feel both humble and fortunate to just be able to continue to do what I do.

That being said, 2020 looked much different for me than it was about to be. I was about to travel, about to headline my first tour and, most importantly, about to come back to Albania (promise I’ll be there soon). My life during 2020 was a lot of zoom – a LOT of zoom. All the places I was about to be in person I was now talking too but over the computer. Very different but I adapted like we all had to and eventually found my new normal. Like everyone else, I can’t wait until we’re back to normal but I do cherish what this year has taught me – it’s taught me to slow down and be grateful for what I have. It’s also taught me to let my loved ones know I love them and am here for them. I’ve spent more time with my immediate family than I ever have before and I’m happy that I got to.

What are you currently working on? What are the new projects we can expect from you in 2021?

More music. So much more music! I get excited just thinking about it. Heaven & Hell was just the beginning. I can’t wait to show the world what I have in store for 2021. I want to keep surprising you and promise you that the music to come in 2021 (and there’s a lot) is going to do just that.

We heard that you have never been in Albania or Kosovo. Do you plan to visit your place of origin?

Yes, yes and yes! I feel like I’ve been saying it now for years and I’m like cmon, it’s time to get there! So yes – I promise I’ll be coming to Albania. My heritage is very important to me and who I am. My parents moved here from Albanian and have instilled within me this incredible pride about our home country. I can’t wait to come!

You always tell the world with proudness that you’re Albanian. How is their reaction? What is the feedback that you accept after you tell the people of your Albanian roots?

There are a lot of strong females in music that are running the show – all from Albania. People keep asking, “what’s in the water?” hahaha. It makes me smile. In today’s day and age, it’s important to embrace your differences and where you’ve come from. My mom always said you can’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.

There are other Albanian successful singers in world’s music industry like: Rita Ora, Dua Lipa and Bebe Rexha. What are your thoughts about them and some time ago Bebe invited all of you for a collab. What happened next?

A collaboration with all of us females from Albania would be an absolute dream. When Bebe invited me for a collab I was ready to figure something out! We’ve actually become friends since and have stayed close ever since that invitation. Let’s see what the future holds in terms of a song from all of us – I did tell you there’s a lot of new music coming in 2021…

How it’s an usual day of Ava Max? (How do you spend the time with family members and what you prefer to do in free time)

I’d like to tell you there’s a usual day for me but, despite still being in the pandemic, there is not. The day starts with coffee, of course. You don’t want to see me until I’ve had a coffee, haha. And then I’ll get ready and either jump into the studio to work on new music or dive into promotional interviews on zoom. I find time for myself throughout the day (which I’ve discovered is incredibly important) to work out or go on a hike. My mom will call me about 7 times to ensure I’m eating and drinking enough water. And that’s about it! It’s a bit more dynamic when I’m traveling from city to city but during quarantine it’s less crazy.

Which is Ava Max’s life moto?

Never be afraid to be different and never be afraid to be who you are (even if that definition changes daily).

Ava, thank you very much for being part of this interview for “Telegrafi”. You’ve been selected from us as “Personality of the Year in music”, for your many successes, especially with album “Heaven and Hell”. For the end, what is your wish for all Albanians across the world for New Year 2021?

I just want everyone (especially Albanians) to remember to smile. To embrace this year and what it’s taught us and to remember that it’s going to get back to normal and we’re all going to be stronger than ever. I cannot thank you enough for the incredible honor and being chosen as the Personality of the Year in Music. That’s absolutely crazy to me but I promise to make everyone proud. Love you! /Telegrafi/