Pia Mia on Returning to ‘After We Collided,’ Finding Her Voice in New Music & the Power of Fandom
Global sensation Pia Mia is making waves once again, not just with her electrifying new music, but also with her highly anticipated return to the silver screen as Tristan in the sequel After We Collided. Marking its long-awaited debut in the U.S. on October 23rd, the film brings back the beloved characters and intense drama that captivated millions worldwide. For Pia Mia, whose acting journey began with the first After movie, reprising her role has been an experience of growth, connection, and stepping boldly outside her comfort zone. In an exclusive conversation with HollywoodLife, the 24-year-old singer-actress delves into the unique world of the After universe, the inspiration behind her latest chart-topping singles, and the passionate fandom that has become like family.
Beyond her acting endeavors, Pia Mia is also celebrating the success of her vibrant new tracks, “HOT” and “Princess.” The latter, a fresh take on her friend Chris Brown’s iconic song “Kiss Kiss,” showcases her innovative spirit and deep musical roots. This interview offers a fascinating glimpse into Pia Mia’s multifaceted career, revealing how she balances her artistic passions and navigates the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.
Embracing the Challenge: Pia Mia’s Acting Journey in the After Series
While music remains her primary passion and undeniable talent, Pia Mia reveals that her foray into acting has always been an area of keen interest. “Obviously, music is my number one, but I’ve always been interested in acting,” she shared. For her, it’s not just another venture; it’s a deliberate step towards personal and professional development. “It’s a challenge for me, and it’s different for me. It’s out of my comfort zone. So I like to put myself in positions like that to force myself to grow and learn more and have new experiences.” This mindset underscores her dedication to pushing boundaries and evolving as an artist.
Her role as Tristan in the After series, a character that resonates with the intense emotional landscape of the books and films, offered a significant opportunity for this growth. The experience of embodying a character and collaborating within a film production environment presented a fresh set of dynamics compared to recording in a studio or performing on stage. “It’s definitely a challenge. But that’s what I love about it, and I would for sure want to do more of it. Absolutely,” she confirmed, indicating a strong desire to continue exploring acting opportunities in the future. This commitment suggests that fans might see Pia Mia taking on even more diverse roles, further solidifying her presence as a versatile entertainer.
The Unparalleled Connection: Navigating the Passionate After Fandom
The After series, born from Anna Todd’s widely successful Wattpad stories, boasts one of the most fervent and dedicated fanbases in contemporary young adult fiction and film. Becoming a part of this universe can be daunting, but Pia Mia found herself enveloped in an embrace of acceptance and warmth. “I felt so welcomed and so grateful to be accepted by them,” she recounted, highlighting the immediate sense of belonging she experienced. “It felt like they just brought me right into their family as if we had always been family.” This immediate integration speaks volumes about the community that Anna Todd has cultivated, a testament to the shared passion for the stories and characters.
Pia Mia drew a poignant parallel to her upbringing, explaining, “I think that’s such a rare thing and really reminded me of back home because when you come to Guam we welcome everybody and we take you in.” This heartfelt comparison emphasizes the genuine and inclusive nature of the After fandom, echoing the strong community values she holds dear. She also expressed immense admiration for author Anna Todd, acknowledging the creative genius behind the phenomenon. “I had just the most fun being on set with everybody. From start to finish, it was a great experience.”
Beyond the camaraderie on set, the fandom’s impact extended directly to Pia Mia’s music career. During her time as an independent artist, struggling to find a platform for her deeply personal track “Bitter Love,” the After community stepped up in an extraordinary way. “I was independent and dropped a song called ‘Bitter Love,’ which was such an important song to me that I had wanted to drop for so long and that fandom really believed in the song and really gave it a platform at a time when I was independent and didn’t have a platform to push the song,” she revealed. This organic support not only propelled her music but also forged an unbreakable bond between her and her audience, illustrating the immense power and influence of dedicated fans.
“Bitter Love”: The Unofficial Anthem of Hardin and Tessa
The selection of “Bitter Love” as a theme song for the After franchise was a significant milestone for Pia Mia, especially given its origins during her independent phase. The song resonated so profoundly with the film’s narrative that its inclusion felt almost destined. “It was just such a big deal for me having that be the theme song. I was just so grateful,” she expressed. The synergy between her music and the film’s central romance was undeniable, a fact recognized by both the creators and the fans.
Recalling the process, Pia Mia noted, “What was interesting was when we were going through songs to see what we thought would sound good or fit in the movie, when we played ‘Bitter Love,’ it was exactly Hardin and Tessa’s relationship.” This spontaneous realization underscored the song’s perfect thematic fit. The lyrical content and emotional depth of “Bitter Love” seemed to mirror the tumultuous yet undeniable connection between Hardin and Tessa. This connection wasn’t lost on the audience either, with Pia Mia observing, “I saw a lot of the fans saying that too, so it’s crazy and just shows how we can all relate to each other. We all go through similar things, so that’s why we’ve got to be here for each other.” The song’s universal message of love’s complexities and perseverance cemented its place as a fan favorite and a poignant reflection of the iconic on-screen relationship.
The Allure of Hardin and Tessa: A Reflection of Real Love
As someone deeply immersed in the After world both as an actress and an observer of its cultural impact, Pia Mia offers unique insights into the enduring appeal of Hardin and Tessa’s tumultuous romance. “I think it’s honest,” she asserts, pinpointing the core reason for their widespread relatability. While the story contains elements of fantasy, it is grounded in a raw, unvarnished depiction of love that resonates with audiences.
“It’s fantasy, but at the same time, you get the reality of it,” she elaborates. This duality is crucial to the narrative’s success. It acknowledges that love, in its true form, is far from perfect. “Love is not perfect, it’s not easy, and every day isn’t smooth sailing.” Pia Mia’s perspective highlights the universal struggles and triumphs that define real-world relationships. The characters navigate “ups and downs,” “insecurities,” and critical moments of decision-making. “You kind of have to decide: am I going to push through this or am I going to just walk away from the relationship?” she explains, drawing a direct link between the fictional couple’s struggles and the dilemmas faced by many in their own lives.
The intensity with which Hardin and Tessa grapple with these questions is what makes their bond so compelling. “I think Hardin and Tessa go through that so much. I just love that Anna made it real,” Pia Mia concludes, crediting Anna Todd for crafting a romance that, despite its dramatic flair, feels deeply authentic. This authenticity allows fans to see reflections of their own experiences, hopes, and fears within the story, solidifying the couple’s status as a modern literary and cinematic phenomenon.
A New Sonic Direction: The Feel-Good Vibes of “HOT” and “Princess”
Shifting focus to her flourishing music career, Pia Mia unveils the inspiration behind her latest infectious singles, “HOT” and “Princess,” which signify a refreshing new chapter in her artistry. The creative impetus behind these tracks, and the forthcoming music, was remarkably straightforward: a desire to evoke positivity and self-assurance. “Really my vibe was just I want to feel good. I want to feel sexy. I want to be light,” she revealed. This intention speaks to a conscious move towards creating music that serves as an antidote to complexity, offering listeners an immediate sense of joy and empowerment.
In an industry often saturated with profound narratives, Pia Mia chose a path of deliberate simplicity for these releases. “The songs are not that deep and not that serious. That’s what I wanted it to be,” she explained. Her goal was to craft an auditory escape, a momentary reprieve from everyday worries. “I wanted it to be an escape for a moment and just be a fun vibe for people to listen to, so that’s what I was going for with ‘Princess’ and for ‘HOT.'” This approach demonstrates her understanding of music’s power to uplift and entertain, creating tracks that are not just catchy but also genuinely mood-boosting.
The Genesis of “Princess”: A Nod to Chris Brown and T-Pain
One of the most talked-about aspects of Pia Mia’s new music is “Princess,” a vibrant track that cleverly samples Chris Brown’s 2007 hit “Kiss Kiss.” The inspiration for this creative homage struck unexpectedly. “I was driving my car and put on throwback songs and ‘Kiss Kiss’ came on,” she recounted. The song’s infectious energy immediately sparked a creative fire within her. “Anybody who knows me knows I love Chris and knows I love T-Pain. So I had a studio session that night, and when the song came on in the car, I was just so inspired. I felt so good.”
The spontaneity of the moment translated seamlessly into the studio. “So I went to the studio and was just like, this is what I want to do. I want to flip the song,” she shared. The creative process was fluid and joyful. “We wrote the song so fast. We had so much fun in the studio just laughing and vibing. It was just one of those nights where everybody was on one, and it did not feel forced in any way.” This organic creation process highlights Pia Mia’s intuitive artistic flow and her ability to channel inspiration into tangible art. Her long-standing admiration for Chris Brown and T-Pain is evident; she noted, “I love Chris, I had a lot of success with him with ‘Do It Again.’ I have always loved him as an artist and looked up to him. I think he’s so talented. Same thing with T-Pain. I have listened to his music forever. Everybody knows if I’m walking into the club, T-Pain better be playing.” Her genuine reverence for these artists adds an authentic layer to her sampling choice.
Securing the Blessing: Respecting the Original Artists
The decision to sample such a well-known track naturally came with the responsibility of securing proper clearance and respect for the original artists. Pia Mia approached this with swift decisiveness, fueled by the immediate excitement of her creative breakthrough. “I flipped it before I talked to anybody, and then we sent it to them obviously to make sure we had their blessing,” she clarified. This order of operations speaks to her immediate artistic impulse, followed by diligent professional protocol.
The entire process, from inspiration to creation and initial outreach, unfolded rapidly. “I was just so hyped the day that we made it. It all happened in one day. I just went straight in and did it,” she explained, emphasizing the spontaneous and high-energy environment that birthed “Princess.” Crucially, both Chris Brown and T-Pain were receptive to her interpretation. “They both gave their blessing. I would never put anything out that sampled somebody’s song that didn’t vibe with it,” Pia Mia affirmed, highlighting her commitment to artistic integrity and mutual respect within the music community. Their approval not only validated her creative vision but also ensured that “Princess” could be released as a respectful and exciting tribute.
The Road to a Debut Album: Singles, Strategy, and Future Tours
Looking ahead, Pia Mia is actively working on her highly anticipated debut studio album, a significant milestone in her evolving career. This new chapter is supported by a recent major move: “Well, I newly signed to Republic Records and Electric Feel at the end of last year, so it has been so refreshing to find my team and feel settled and chill at home,” she shared. This partnership marks a pivotal moment, offering a robust platform and dedicated support system to bring her artistic vision to fruition. The sense of being “settled and chill” underscores the positive impact of having a cohesive team rallying behind her.
The groundwork for the album was laid strategically before global events shifted plans. “We recorded a lot before the pandemic hit, and I’m so grateful we did that because now we’re dropping these singles,” she explained. This forward-thinking approach allowed her to continue releasing new music, maintaining momentum and keeping her audience engaged even amidst unprecedented challenges. However, the pandemic has also influenced her album release strategy. “But I think right now we’re just going to focus on that because when I drop an album, I want to be able to tour and be on stage and see people face to face. So for now, it will be singles.”
This decision reflects her deep desire for a full, immersive album experience, one that includes connecting with fans directly through live performances. For Pia Mia, an album release isn’t just about the music itself; it’s about the shared experience and the energy of a live tour. While fans eagerly await the full-length project, they can anticipate a steady stream of exciting singles. Her dedication to delivering a comprehensive and engaging album experience, complete with touring, showcases her commitment to her craft and her audience. “When there’s an update, girl, I’m calling you,” she promised, assuring that exciting news about the album will be shared as soon as conditions allow for the grand rollout she envisions.