Maya Hawke opens up about emotional struggles in her music journey
The 'Stranger Things' star said she no longer wants to pursue a traditional pop star image
Maya Hawke has spoken candidly about the emotional toll of her music career, revealing that she struggled with burnout and once felt disconnected from her own work during earlier album cycles.
The Stranger Things star, 27, admitted that the pressure of constant promotion and public visibility left her feeling overwhelmed, to the point where she struggled to enjoy the music she was releasing.
“Every other album cycle I’ve done, by the time I got to the point where the album came out, I hated it,” Hawke said, reflecting on her previous experiences in the industry.
She explained that the demands of social media and maintaining a public persona contributed heavily to her exhaustion, making the creative process feel more like pressure than passion.
However, Hawke said her approach has shifted significantly with her latest record, Maitreya Corso, which she worked on alongside musician Christian Lee Hutson.
This time, she focused on building a more relaxed and fulfilling creative process.
The actress and singer said she deliberately changed how she approached the album rollout, prioritising enjoyment over stress and external expectations.
Hawke also clarified that she has no interest in pursuing a traditional pop star image, saying she prefers a more stripped-back musical style.
“I’m not a dancer — I don’t want to be a pop star and do dance moves,” she said, adding that she would rather perform intimate, guitar-driven music.
Beyond her music career, Hawke also reflected on the emotional impact of concluding her role in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things.
She admitted that finishing the show left her feeling unsettled and uncertain about her next steps.
She described the experience as “pretty freaked out,” noting that while the series once provided structure and stability in her life, she is now focused on rebuilding her career on her own terms.
Despite earlier challenges, Hawke appears to be entering a new phase in both her music and acting journey, shaped by greater creative control and a healthier approach to fame.
