Take Two: Olivia Mae

In our Take Two series, Playlists & Polaroids checks back in with our past Spotlight features after a few months. If our original coverage on Olivia Mae inspired you to start following her career, you'd know it's been quite the journey for her! Last year, we touched on her theatrical roots - specifically her portrayal of Nala and Timon in Disney's Tale Of The Lion King - and two of her first releases, "One Day" and "Rewind." Since then, the triple threat has continued to develop her songwriting and artistic versatility, culminating in a triumphant debut album entitled Butterfly Effect.

As the project's title suggests, Butterfly Effect tells compelling and significant stories about lust, longing, and heartbreak that rippled from seemingly small moments. Olivia leads listeners on an enthralling rollercoaster ride through various emotional snapshots. In ten vulnerable tracks, she captures the thrill of burgeoning crushes, the frustration of unrequited love, and the satisfaction of self-discovery. We had the privilege of chatting with Olivia ahead of Butterfly Effect's release - keep reading for another insightful interview with the rising star!

Image credit: Natalie Serratos, graphic created by Karly Ramnani

YOU’LL LOVE OLIVIA MAE IF YOU LISTEN TO: Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo, Renee Rapp, Doechii, Tate McRae, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and of course showtunes!

The last time we caught up, you had just put out your single "One Day," and now you have a debut album on your hands! In what ways would you say you've grown artistically since then? 

A lot has changed since I released “One Day,” both in my personal life and artistry. The biggest being that I’ve learned to embrace my emotions rather than shy away from them or bottle them up. When I first started releasing music, I was so in my head, scared that people would think I was crazy for feeling a certain way or oversharing. But the response to “One Day” proved to me that my mom was right – I’m not alone in what I feel or experience. That realization gave me the reassurance and confidence to be more unapologetic in my songwriting. Butterfly Effect dives into deeply personal emotionsI once kept to myself – love, lust, jealousy, and heartbreak – because it's okay to feel. This album is me owning my truth.

Back then, you also mentioned a couple of fan-favorite unreleased tracks called "Am I Delusional" and "Spudnuts," which are now out with the album! How does it feel to let these two out of the vault after sitting on them for so long? 

I’m so excited to finally have these songs out of the vault and available [on streaming]. I can’t even count how many times I would shuffle my music and wonder why they weren’t playing and my friends felt the same way. So when I was putting Butterfly Effect together, I made sure to have “Am I Delusional" and "Spudnuts” lead the project, giving fans a chance to see how these tracks play a role in the bigger story while also giving them the opportunity to finally stream the songs. 

Of all the songs on the album, what made you choose "Fell Asleep On FaceTime" and "YOLO" as the pre-release singles?

I chose to release “YOLO” and “Fell Asleep On FaceTime” as pre-release singles to showcase my growth, both as a person and as an artist. If I had released “Am I Delusional” or “Spudnuts,” they might have felt too similar to my debut single “Your Friend & My Ex.” I wanted to bring something new to the table and explore new emotions I haven't touched on yet, like embracing spontaneity ("YOLO") and overthinking ("Fell Asleep On FaceTime").  

How did you decide on the title for your album, Butterfly Effect? In what ways does it represent the album's themes and message?

I was torn between two names for the project – my current title and an idiom similar to "so close and yet so far.” Ultimately, I went with Butterfly Effect because of a tattoo I got over a year ago: a pair of butterfly wings on my back. They have a deep meaning for me: reassurance, as I always see butterflies in times of uncertainty, and I believe they’re sent by my grandpa, who passed away when I was younger. They also represent the loving support I receive from my grandma, who calls me “butterfly.” But most of all, they symbolize family and help me take flight. I knew I wanted to incorporate either my wings or something with butterflies in the cover art, and that's when I landed on Butterfly Effect. Thanks to my eighth grade English teacher, Mr. Williams, and his obsession with idioms (which I grew to love too), I knew I had the perfect album title that combined both my love for butterflies and unique expressions. The Butterfly Effect is the idea that something small and seemingly insignificant can lead to much larger outcomes that can alter your life. I decided to play with the concept of choosing to like someone and seeing where it can lead in a relationship.    

Image credit: Natalie Serratos

How long ago did you come up with the concept and themes for Butterfly Effect? How did you connect to them when the idea for this album was in its early stages, as opposed to now? 

The idea of creating a concept album has been on my mind since 2022, when I wrote “If Only I Could” that summer. I’ve always loved storytelling, and the idea that I can take listeners on a journey in time through one of the many life experiences I’ve encountered. The album went through several revisions as I was trying to figure out the right story to tell and the best way to share it. Some of these songs have been in the vault for a few months, while others were written up to two years ago, so getting the right story was my main focus. A lot has happened in those years since I wrote “If Only I Could,” and finding the through line was tricky at first. But when I took a step back to look at the lyrics and messages in certain songs, it became clearer.  Like any athlete knows, you have to train in order to get better – and I did that with my lyricism, which helped me write the overall story you hear in the album, as well as the smaller, more personal moments in each song. 

How did you decide on the order of the track list for Butterfly Effect, especially in the context of the greater story it tells as a project? 

I knew that the order of the songs was just as important as the messages within the music, so I created a storyboard for the project. This helped me map out the larger story being told, which ultimately led to a more cohesive track list. With “If Only I Could” being one of the first songs I knew I wanted on the album, it became easier to piece together the puzzle of what needed to come before it and what followed. Once I made the final decision on what songs I wanted to incorporate, I listened to the order over and over, narrowing it down to the ones that flowed best together and aligned with the overarching story I wanted to share. The entire process was like playing music Jenga, but I loved every second of it as I got to hear my growth, not just as an artist, but as a person through the project. 

"Bittersweet Goodbye" is such a strong album closer. Tell us more about how this track specifically came to life! 

This one hits home for me because it is an experience I’ve become all too familiar with. The concept came from one of the many conversations I have had with someone – and just when I thought things were about to get good, they’d ask me about a close friend of mine. Keep in mind, they would be flirtatious and make these grand gestures, but I guess it was all just for practice. I should have known better or seen it coming, but every time, I’m always blindsided by it – hence the bittersweet nature of it all. 

Image credit: Natalie Serratos

How does it feel to join some iconic names - such as Tate McRae and Britney Spears - as someone who's both a trained dancer and a recording artist? Do you feel as though your experience in music strengthens you as a dancer, and vice versa? 

It’s so surreal and such an honor to have my name mentioned alongside Tate McRae and Britney Spears. Funny enough, I was a backup dancer for Tate my freshman year of high school when she performed at Gala De Danza in 2019, so this is quite literally a full circle moment for me. Music and dance have always gone hand in hand – it’s like bread and butter – and both have played a huge role in shaping my artistry. As a singer-songwriter, I think of phrasing and melody the same way I approach dance; the melody dances over the instrumental. In dance, there’s a concept called “the pocket,” where the movement leads or “milks” – holding a movement longer or letting it breathe – to add texture like a vocalist does when phrasing a line. Being trained in both has strengthened my ability to experience music not just as sound, but as something I can embody and express. 

Last time, we talked about how the music industry still has a long way to go in terms of diversity, and you shared a goal of creating your own record label that creates more welcoming and inclusive spaces. Tell us a little bit about how that's going! 

I still wholeheartedly believe that the industry is behind the times when it comes to inclusivity. Since we last spoke, I’ve shifted my focus from starting a record label to creating a concert venue that highlights the voices of emerging artists from diverse backgrounds. This pivot came from the realization that labels aren’t as influential or stable as they used to be. One concept I’d love to incorporate into my venue is a technology free experience – no phones out during the show. I want to reestablish music as an art form, creating a space that amplifies artists’ voices while generating buzz through genuine, word of mouth excitement. 

It looks like you're still a huge theater kid, and you're still super involved in that side of the performing arts. Since Tale Of The Lion King at the Disneyland Resort closed - so in the past year or so - what are some of your favorite gigs you've done in musical theater? 

Since Tale Of The Lion King closed, I have been part of various special events and shows at the Parks. I made Disney history once again by performing in Disneyland’s first ever Disney Channel Nite back in March as part of the Disney Channel Rocks show. This was by far one of my favorite events because I got to channel my inner Raven Symoné in an iconic denim fur jacket and sing my favorite childhood anthems. I’ve also become great friends with DJ DeeJay at the Disney Junior Dance Party in California Adventure Park, Vi Moradi in Batuu during special events, and the Descendants during the Halloween season. Each experience has been so unique and memorable in its own way — I can’t wait to continue playing dress up! Outside of Disney, I was the social media coordinator who helped launch USC’s newest club, Voice Crack Productions, last semester. They are a musical theatre cabaret that blends game show elements with themed performances, making it a unique experience. 

What's your ultimate dream role (or dream show to be in)?

I have quite a few dream roles and shows I’d love to be in. If Broadway ever revives Next To Normal, I would do anything to play Natalie – or even Diana when I’m older. Another dream role of mine is to play Eliza or Angelica in Hamilton. But the number one show I would do anything to be in is Wicked. I don’t care if I just walk across the stage once or even if I’m hidden in one of Glinda’s suitcases at the beginning of the show – I NEED to be in Wicked. 

Image credit: Natalie Serratos

In honor of the album's name, tell us some of your craziest butterfly effect stories!  

The craziest butterfly effect story has to be what I like to call my “Daniel Curse.” It all started back in second grade – the birthplace of my delusion – when my dad told me a story about his coworker who made a wish on a star for her second grade crush to become her husband. Although they were just kids, she knew they were meant to be, and years later, it came true. Me being me, I believed every word. And since I had a crush on someone in my class, I prayed for him to be my boyfriend. His name? Daniel. The star must have not heard me because he didn’t fall in love with me immediately. So, naturally, I wrote him love letters with my mom – one even had a kiss print on it – and still no luck. I went back to that star and prayed even harder, but Daniel never got the message. When I moved schools, I figured that was the end of my childish dream. Little did I know, it was just the beginning. Since then, Daniels have been following me. My Spanish teacher’s name? Daniel. The love interest in our all-school musical? Daniel. I had a close friend named Daniel – who, funny enough, goes to UCLA. The first guy I met in college? Daniel. I met a Daniel at a concert. Another at a party, and two more in an organization I’m part of on campus. The star keeps sending me Daniels, despite my many cries to stop. And yes, I’ve liked every single one – except for my Spanish teacher. In fact, the first, eighth, and tenth songs on my album are about multiple Daniels – much love to you all. The curse has officially made the jump from my personal life to my music. But hey, nobody’s perfect. At this point, me and the name Daniel are clearly attached for life. 

Finally, the P&P classic! What’s a lyric from any song on Butterfly Effect that stands out to you? Walk us through the process of yourself writing it, and how does it speak to you personally?

This is a tricky one since I have so many favorites, but the line that stands out the most has to be, “You look at me like I’m a work of art,” from For The First Time. I had never experienced the “look of love” before until I caught someone I was seeing give it to me, and I nearly melted away. They looked at me in the way I had always imagined someone would, and that’s how the line came to be. Now, I look at this album the same way – I am so in love with it. When I listen to or even think about the album, I can’t help but smile – and if you really look at it, the album is me.

Victoriously taking flight in one of the strongest debut albums we've ever heard, Olivia Mae delivers an intricate, confident introduction to the pop world. As day one Maeniacs, the Playlists & Polaroids team couldn't be more thrilled that Butterfly Effect has finally arrived. Has our coverage has inspired you to join Olivia's fan army yet? If so, here's a playlist we've curated to help you jump in!