Julia Michaels opened her heart about how making a decisive pivot in her music career and heeding her instincts proved to be nothing short of "life-altering." The artist behind "Issues" bid farewell to Republic Records in 2023 after a stint of over seven years and has since candidly shared her journey of crafting music independently.
While gracing the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, the "What a Time" vocalist sat down with People Magazine to discuss her audacious career move. "It feels absolutely incredible. I launched my own label last year, and it's truly exhilarating to wield creative control, to embrace creative freedom, and to reclaim my power," she revealed to the publication. "I'm back to releasing songs, creating music videos, reconnecting with my fans, and performing live. It's just been a transformative experience."
The six-time Grammy-nominated musician also shed light on her decision to part ways with Republic Records. "I just felt like I was languishing at a label where there were perhaps loftier priorities than me. It's incredibly challenging to get people to believe in you, and in turn, you start doubting yourself," she explained.
Continuing, she said, "It took leaving my label for me to rediscover my passion for putting music out again."
With this newfound career trajectory, the 31-year-old artist dropped a fresh single, "No Heartbreaks Killed Me Yet," on September 19, accompanied by a music video that captures her wandering through the bustling streets of New York City. The track follows her May 2025 EP, "Second Self," which was also released under her GFY Records imprint.
