From her early days as a Radio Disney “Next Big Thing” breakout to a confident singer-songwriter with over 20 million streams under her belt, Elle Winter is no stranger to evolution. Her music has always been a reflection of her truth—raw, empowering, and honest. Now, with her highly anticipated EP Never Even Met Her dropping August 15th, Elle is entering a bold new chapter.
Working once again with powerhouse producers The Orphanage (Lizzo, Demi Lovato, Sabrina Carpenter), Elle channels heartbreak into healing, transforming betrayal into a rallying cry of self-acceptance. With lyrics that cut deep and vocals that soar, she reminds listeners that vulnerability and strength aren’t opposites—they’re soulmates. We sat down with Elle to talk about the new EP, the real story behind the title track, her journey through the pressures of fame, and how she’s found her power by finally putting herself first.
Elle, your new single from your upcoming EP “Never Even Met Her” drops August 15th—congrats! What was the emotional spark that led you to write this song, and how did it evolve from heartbreak into empowerment?
Yes! Thank you! I wrote the first song off my next EP, “Never Even Met Her”, after I went through a breakup with my ex and learned that he was spreading false rumors about me and our relationship. Rather than letting him upset me, I took back the narrative and wrote a song that proclaims that this person, my ex, is talking badly about, is not even me, it’s a girl I have never even met. In writing this song, I felt a strong sense of empowerment. The lyrics make clear that someone’s words and opinion will never define who I am. This project is me reclaiming my narrative and embracing who I am on my terms.
You’ve been making music since your teen years, discovered by Radio Disney’s “Next Big Thing.” How would you say your creative voice has matured from those early days to now?
My creative voice has grown and matured as I have gotten older. I am more comfortable sharing my truth and being as open and honest as possible in my writing. As I get older, I have more life experiences to share, and I can find more and more freedom in expressing my beliefs and opinions.
The title track came from realizing your ex was painting a version of you that wasn’t real. How did reclaiming your story through songwriting help you process and heal from that betrayal?
Writing this song and then listening to its lyrics has helped me to find peace with the end of a long-term relationship. The song has helped me realize that I should never focus on what anyone says or thinks about me, and by being my genuine self, the truth will always come out. This song is truly cathartic and should send a message that there is no need to prove who you are to anyone, particularly someone who never understood you in the first place.
Working again with The Orphanage, who’ve produced for Lizzo and Demi Lovato, must’ve been electric. What was it like being back in the studio with them for this EP, and how did that collaboration elevate your sound?
Working with them felt like such a homecoming and a fresh, exciting era all at once! After working on my debut EP, they understood who I am as an artist, and we have a great dynamic together. They truly bring out the best in me!
Your previous single, “Help,” is such a vulnerable and honest track. Can you talk about the moment you realized it was okay—powerful, even—to ask for support?
I often feel a lot of self-imposed pressure to be “perfect” and to be hyper independent, but I realized this was not serving me and getting in the way of more profound and more meaningful connections and experiences. I had a lot of time for self-reflection during COVID. Spending so much time with family and close friends, I came to realize that there is so much power in vulnerability and leaning on people close to you. When I finally got back in the studio to work on new music, I wrote “Help”.
You’ve performed on some incredible stages, from the Today Show to Jingle Ball and even toured with Chloe x Halle. Which live moment made you think, “Wow…this is happening”?
I feel so grateful to have experienced so many of my lifelong goals and dreams and to have had the opportunity to work and perform with so many amazing people. I pinch myself every time I perform live for people who connect with my music. Performing for an audience that sings along, knowing the lyrics to my songs, is when I say, “Wow, this is happening. That feeling truly never gets old and is something I will never take for granted.
There’s a beautiful duality in your music—both deeply personal and widely relatable. How do you approach writing lyrics that stay true to your story, but also create space for others to see themselves in it?
It sounds ironic, but I find that music is the most relatable when it is the most honest. Everyone experiences similar emotions in life. Although not everyone may relate to every detail of my experience, most people can draw a connection between the feelings involved and some aspect of their own life. I believe people can empathize with the experiences presented in music, particularly since songs often relate to issues encountered in human relationships. So I think that creating personal music leads to relatability.
As an artist and a student at the University of Pennsylvania, how do you balance these two very different worlds—and has your academic life ever inspired your art in unexpected ways?
I have noticed that my studies and my artistic pursuits often complement each other. From the concepts I learned in class to the incredible people I met at UPenn, I found my time there really enriched my creative pursuits. I am even working with one of my cinema professors at UPenn on my upcoming music video for “Never Even Met Her”. He is so talented and has been fabulous to collaborate with. I believe that to grow as an artist, it is crucial to strive to be a multifaceted person. I always seek to explore other spaces and interests outside of music to feel empowered and fulfilled, and my time at UPenn allowed me to do that.
“Never Even Met Her” feels like a bold declaration of identity. If you had to sum up who Elle Winter is right now in three words, what would they be—and why?
That is a tough one! I would say, Empowered, Unabashed, and Compassionate
You’ve been in the entertainment world a long time. What advice would you give to young artists—especially women—navigating the pressures of staying authentic in a very image-driven industry?
Listen to your intuition and trust your instincts. It’s easy to be influenced by others in this industry, but ultimately, no one knows what you need and what is best for you better than you do. The second song on my upcoming EP, “Better,” addresses this issue. I can’t wait for you to hear it.
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