Mae Muller, the singer who represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023, has revealed that she is on the verge of quitting her music career. In a candid TikTok video that has since been deleted, the 28-year-old admitted she has been feeling 'miserable' and is struggling to find joy in her profession.
A Difficult Journey Since Eurovision
Muller gained widespread recognition after her Eurovision performance, where she finished second-to-last with only 24 points. Shortly after the contest, she was critical of her own vocals, describing them as 'trash' and expressing concern that the poor reception could end her career. However, her single I Wrote a Song reached the UK top 10, and her debut album Sorry I'm Late entered the top 40.
Despite these achievements, Muller has faced challenges, including a split from her record label and a cancelled tour. In her recent video, she said, 'I feel like all the joy and fun has been sucked out and it's kind of making me miserable.' She added, 'I'm getting to the end of my tether and I don't wanna be miserable, I wanna be happy.'
Fan Support and Resilience
Fans have rallied around Muller, urging her not to give up. One supporter wrote, 'Genuinely please don't quit. You can successfully be a fab niche artist.' Another said, 'Never quit but take breaks when needed. You're such a talented icon.'
Muller's career began early; at age 11, she appeared in the music video for Mika's Grace Kelly, directed by her aunt. She later uploaded songs to SoundCloud, was discovered, and signed a record deal. Her debut EP arrived in 2018, followed by four more EPs and a tour supporting Little Mix.
Eurovision Aftermath and Mental Health Advocacy
After Eurovision, Muller acknowledged her vocal struggles, saying, 'Ya girl didn't give her best performance vocally.' She also criticized the contest for insufficient mental health support, stating, 'More needs to be done to protect the artist's mental health because it's not actually normal what they go through.'
In 2024, Muller joined over 70 former Eurovision acts in signing an open letter calling for Israel's exclusion from the contest, citing allegations of complicity in genocide. She has also spoken about a 'double standard' regarding Russia's ban after invading Ukraine while Israel continues to compete.
Muller, who grew up in a Jewish household in London, has previously discussed her grandfather's escape from Nazi Germany. Despite the challenges, she remains passionate about music, but the pressures of the industry have taken a toll. As she put it, 'I love making music, I love performing, but I just feel like what it's turned into... I don't know if I have it in me.'
