Artist Interview: Valeria
Meet Valeria, an artist whose music is as honest as it is enchanting. Her latest single, "Stuck in Motion," is a poignant pop anthem that explores the space between longing and liberation, resonating with a global audience. As the first taste of a larger body of work, this song introduces us to an artist who is not afraid to embrace her truth. Join us as we delve into Valeria's creative process, her alter ego "Ms. Magic," and the powerful message she hopes to share with her listeners.
Tori: "Stuck in Motion" dropped on July 4th, a day synonymous with freedom and independence. How does that resonate with the song's themes of being "caught between longing and liberation"?
Valeria: I wrote this during a time when real self-expression and true liberation felt almost impossible. It was like I knew who I was, but I couldn’t quite reach her. I always planned to release the song in the summer, after a deep conversation with a friend, but for some reason, my spirit kept circling back to the 4th. I can't even tell you why; I've never really celebrated it like other holidays, but it always had this quiet pull on me. It wasn’t about the symbolism at first, not consciously. But looking back, it’s kind of beautiful how it all aligned. The 4th is about freedom, yes, and while the lyrics of "Stuck in Motion" sit in that liminal space between yearning and release, I think the whole song is secretly carving a path toward independence. It’s drenched in vulnerability, something I’ve always admired in others and longed to embody fully myself. So maybe it is a freedom song, just a quieter, more internal one.
Tori: Now that "Stuck in Motion" has been out for a few weeks, what has been the most surprising or rewarding reaction you've received from fans?
Valeria: Honestly? It’s when people tell me they felt seen or even just liked the song in general. The most rewarding part is knowing something I created in a moment of emotional limbo is now giving others peace in theirs. That connection is magic, pure and simple. I love speaking to the people who connect to my craft. Some of them have made edits of me, which I find surreal. I have always respected that community of people. Whether someone reposts, comments, or listens, it’s a feeling like no other.
Tori: You describe "Stuck in Motion" as an "intoxicating pop anthem." What elements or feelings did you intentionally infuse to create that intoxicating quality?
Valeria: I wanted it to feel like falling for someone you know you shouldn't, but you keep leaning in anyway. I built it around this hazy, glowing soundscape that almost feels like you’re walking through a memory, whether it’s mine or yours. Beneath all that dreaminess, synth, and simplicity, there’s this quiet ache—a craving. I was chasing the feeling of being suspended in time when you’re aware something is slipping through your fingers, but it’s so beautiful you let it. That’s where the intoxication comes from: the beauty in the unraveling.
Tori: The song shimmers with duality – movement and stillness, craving and surrender. Can you elaborate on how you brought these contrasting ideas to life sonically?
Valeria: That duality is the heartbeat of the track. There are these suspended synths that almost feel like you’re floating, and then the rhythm gently pulls you forward, like waves lapping at your ankles. The person I wrote this about was, and probably still is, an indie-music connoisseur. I wrote this in a nod to him and the stuff he listened to when we met. I wanted the verses to feel like you’re standing still, and then the chorus rushes in like your heart finally speaking. Most of all, I needed it to be simple, very straight to the point. There is this feeling when you like someone who doesn’t like you, where your consciousness is telling you what is going on, but you still ignore it. The lyrics needed to tell you exactly what the feeling is, without the whole backstory. I’m obsessed with contrasts; that’s how real emotions work: messy, beautiful contradictions.
Tori: You mentioned writing the song for "in-between moments." Could you share a specific "in-between" moment or experience that directly inspired a lyric or melody in "Stuck in Motion"?
Valeria: I wrote the song during a really low point in college. I was silently depressed, just going through the motions, pretending everything was fine, but inside I felt numb. I kept falling back into old patterns, doing what was familiar, even if it wasn’t good for me. I had tried to change before, but I just couldn’t seem to have the strength to move forward with my head held high. I think that fear of failing again made me afraid to move forward at all. That’s what the song is. It’s that space where you’re emotionally frozen, where your body’s going through life, but your spirit’s just... stuck. Conforming to relationships that aren’t good for you because it’s the only thing that’s left, or so it seems.
Tori: "Ms. Magic" is more than an alter ego; you call it a movement. How do you see "Stuck in Motion" contributing to and propelling this movement of self-expression and empowerment?
Valeria: Ms. Magic is about embracing softness and power, beauty and pain, all at once. "Stuck in Motion" is the doorway. It says: you’re allowed to be in progress. You don’t have to have it all figured out to be worthy of expression, of being loud, of taking up space. This song gives permission. It’s the moment before the rise, and I think that’s the most magical part of all.
Tori: You've built a strong presence on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. How have these platforms influenced your creative process and the way you connect with your growing fanbase?
Valeria: They’ve made me brave. I used to think everything had to be perfect before I shared it. I realize people don’t connect with perfection; they connect with truth. I use those platforms like diaries. I speak directly to people who feel like me. It’s intimate, and chaotic, and sometimes funny, but always real. The fans I’ve met through social media have taught me that vulnerability is the best part of the creative process.
Tori: The phrase "ethereal yet grounded" describes your sound. How do you balance those two seemingly opposite qualities in your music and your overall artistic presentation?
Valeria: I’m super sensitive and emotional, and I spend a lot of time in my head, imagining, dreaming, spiraling, but I’ve also been through things that forced me to grow up fast. In my music, I naturally let both of those sides exist. I don’t try to be anything I’m not. If a song wants to be soft and floaty, I let it. If it wants to feel heavier or more real, I let that happen too. I think people connect to that balance because it’s human. We’re not just one thing. I’m not just one thing. I’ve had nights where I felt like a mess and still managed to make something beautiful out of it. That’s where my sound lives, right in that in-between.
Tori: "Stuck in Motion" is the first sonic glimpse of a larger body of work. Without giving too much away, what can listeners expect from the upcoming releases in terms of themes or musical direction?
Valeria: You’ll hear more longing, more risk, more power, but honestly, the sound will be very different. Again, the sound of this single was a mimic, a feeling, a vibe of the person I wrote it about. These new songs will be very much like if you read my diary—very honest, very real. Almost like pages from my diary I tried to burn but couldn’t. They’re about desire, identity, heartbreak, and becoming. It’s going to be a journey from beginning to end. It’s the perspective of Valeria, before Ms. Magic.
Tori: You're releasing weekly original songs and content leading up to and beyond the main release. What's the strategy behind this consistent content rollout, and how does it help build the "unstoppable movement"?
Valeria: Consistency creates trust. The more I show up, the more others feel safe to do the same. It’s not about going viral, it’s about showing people that creativity doesn’t have to wait for permission. This rollout is my love letter to anyone who ever held back. Ms. Magic isn’t a persona; she’s me. Before this new world, I want people to get to know me a little more, to connect with me. We’re building something eternal.
Tori: Beyond the music, "Ms. Magic" is about feeling seen, inspired, and transformed. What practices or mindsets do you hope to encourage in your listeners through your art?
Valeria: I want people to stop waiting. Stop waiting to be perfect. Stop waiting for permission. Stop waiting until they feel “ready” or “worthy” to go after what they want. I spent so much time doubting myself, shrinking, trying to make myself easier to understand or love, and it got me nowhere. Through my music, I want to remind people, especially girls like me, that their voice matters now. That softness and ambition can coexist. That your past doesn’t disqualify you from becoming who you’re meant to be. That being emotional, loud, honest, creative, complicated, or different doesn’t make you “too much.” It makes you real, and real is powerful.
Tori: What was the most challenging aspect of bringing "Stuck in Motion" from concept to the polished track we hear today?
Valeria: Honestly? Writing it meant admitting something I didn’t want to admit. I was living the situation while creating the song, and I knew deep down that if I actually sat down and finished it, I’d be confronting everything I was trying to avoid. There was this fear that if I put the truth into words, I’d have to change. I’d have to do something, and I wasn’t ready. So I sat with the feelings for a while, but then I ripped the band-aid off and immediately wrote it. The truth wanted out.
Tori: If you could choose one word or feeling that you hope every listener walks away with after experiencing "Stuck in Motion," what would it be and why?
Valeria: Belonging, because even in the stuckness, even in the waiting, you’re not alone. That feeling of being in-between is something so many of us carry quietly, and I wanted this song to sit with people in that space and say, “I see you. I get it.” More than anything, I want people to know they are loved. Fully, deeply, and without condition. Keep your standards high. Don’t shrink for anyone. The right people, romantic or platonic, will love you exactly as you are, and they won’t be afraid to do it loudly. You deserve to feel chosen, every single time.
Tori: Looking ahead, what's a dream collaboration you have in mind, and what kind of magic do you envision creating with that artist?
Valeria: I love this question so much, so it may be lengthy. I’d love to collaborate with Adidas, not just for a brand deal, but for something visual, storytelling-driven, and empowering. I literally only wear Adidas. I love their shoes, workout clothes, all of it. I think Gabriel Labelle is one of the greatest new actors, mark my words, he’s going to make his mark in the mainstream soon, but if he’d ever want to be in a music video of mine, I would be so flattered. If Damien Chazelle ever wanted to direct one of my music videos, that would be an actual dream. He’s my favorite director. Not only does he understand music as a movement but as a narrative. In addition, I’m very passionate about helping young children, so whether it was St. Jude’s, Make-A-Wish, or different places that help many families and children in need directly, I would be honored to contribute everything I could. Finally, for a music collaboration... Harry Styles. No explanation needed.
Tori: For those "wild hearts" and "infinite souls" who are just discovering your music, what message or piece of advice would you offer them as they navigate their own "in-between moments"?
Valeria: You are not behind. You are not broken. You are infinite. Let the in-between be sacred. Let it teach you softness, patience, and power. Know that Ms. Magic is walking beside you, whispering, “your story is unfolding exactly as it’s meant to.” I believe in you.
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