Ava Max

Amanda Ava Koci, known professionally as Ava Max, is an American singer and songwriter. She rose to international prominence in 2018 following the release of her single "Sweet but Psycho", which reached number one in 22 countries and peaked within the top ten on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Australian ARIA Charts.

Max was born as Amanda Koçi in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on February 16, 1994, to Albanian parents who had fled Albania in 1991. Raised in Hampton Roads, Virginia, after moving there at age two, she grew up in a musical family; her mother was a classically trained opera singer and her father was a pianist. During her youth in Virginia, she entered Radio Disney singing competitions and performed as an opening act at age 10. She adopted the name Ava at age 13 and moved to Los Angeles at 14 to pursue music, later spending time in South Carolina where she attended Lexington High School before returning to Los Angeles at age 17.

Early in her career, Max released music under the name Amanda Kay, including a 2008 extended play, and released "Take Away the Pain" in 2013. In 2014, she met Canadian producer Cirkut, with whom she began writing songs, leading to the release of "Anyone but You" on SoundCloud in 2016 and a record deal with Atlantic Records that same year. She subsequently adopted her full stage name and introduced her signature 'Max Cut' hairstyle.

Following her breakthrough with "Sweet but Psycho", Max released several singles including "So Am I", "Torn", and "Salt". She won Best Push Act at the 2019 MTV Europe Music Awards. Her debut studio album, Heaven & Hell, was released in September 2020, reaching number two on the UK Albums Chart and number 27 on the US Billboard 200. The album featured the single "Kings & Queens", which reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was later re-issued with the bonus track "My Head & My Heart".

Max released her second studio album, Diamonds & Dancefloors, in January 2023. Supported by singles such as "Maybe You're the Problem" and "Million Dollar Baby", the album debuted in the top ten in several European countries and reached number 34 on the Billboard 200. That year, she launched her headlining On Tour (Finally) concert series across Europe and North America, and contributed the track "Choose Your Fighter" to the soundtrack of the film Barbie.

Throughout her career, Max has collaborated with numerous artists, including Le Youth, Gashi, Witt Lowry, David Guetta, Alan Walker, Pablo Alborán, Thomas Rhett, Kane Brown, Tiësto, Alok, and Kygo. In August 2025, she released her third studio album, Don't Click Play, which featured the singles "Lost Your Faith", "Lovin Myself", and "Wet, Hot American Dream". In December 2025, Max announced via social media that she had departed Atlantic Records after nine years.