Stefanie Michaela Is Reclaiming Her Power With “Stay in Your Lane”
- Stefanie
- Jun 14
- 6 min read
Buzz Music LA
Jennifer Gurton
09 June 2025
Los Angeles native Stefanie Michaela has always had music in her blood. From the moment she stood on her childhood fireplace hearth, belting original songs for her family, it was clear she was meant to be on stage. With a voice that earned her the nickname “the littlest girl with the biggest voice,” Stefanie’s musical journey has been one of fierce resilience, tireless determination, and unwavering heart.
Now, after years of growth, setbacks, and a powerful return to the studio, Stefanie is stepping into a new era, one where she’s done playing small. Her latest single, “Stay in Your Lane,” is a bold, soul-stirring pop track that feels like a battle cry for anyone who's ever been underestimated, dismissed, or boxed in.
Written from a place of deep personal truth, “Stay in Your Lane” is about reclaiming space and shutting out the noise of comparison and judgment. Stefanie delivers each lyric with commanding grace, inviting listeners to embrace their own path with confidence and clarity. The song is more than a warning, it’s an invitation: either support the journey or move aside.
“You step aside and get out of my way, cause if you want to ride, stay in your lane,” Stefanie explains. “Together we can root for one another, but the second that you steer into my lane and start judging is the moment that I will just continue on in my own lane while silently being the best version of myself.”
The message is universal, but it’s also incredibly intimate. For Stefanie, who took time away from the spotlight to raise her children and recenter herself, this track marks not only a musical comeback but a personal rebirth. “Stay in Your Lane” carries the perspective of a woman who’s fought to rebuild her dreams from the ground up and now stands rooted in self-worth.
With her upcoming EP, Turning Pages, set to release this year, Stefanie Michaela is more than just an artist making a return; she’s a force coming into full bloom. “Stay in Your Lane” is just the beginning of a larger story about self-love, boundaries, and rising after the fall.
“Stay in Your Lane” is such a powerful statement. Was there a specific moment or experience that inspired this track?
I had been going through a lot in my relationships. I was tired of feeling like no matter what I did, I was being judged for it. I almost started to feel like I had to justify how and why I did things in my day-to-day life. I felt like I couldn’t be real with the people I was surrounding myself with, and that just wasn’t a good feeling.
I decided the best thing for me was to keep my circle very, very small—surrounding myself with people who would truly lift me up, and whom I could support in return. I found myself being open and honest with my family about how hurt I had been feeling recently, and how I wished everyone would just stay in their own lane.
I expressed that if people focused on themselves instead of constantly looking around and comparing themselves to others, everyone would be so much happier. I would often say that if people had a passion to return to and sprinkled that into their daily lives, there would be far less judgment of others, and everyone would stay in their own lane.
You’ve described music as something that’s always been a part of you, even from childhood. How has your relationship with songwriting evolved now that you're a mother and returning artist?
What’s wonderful now is that what I’m writing about is completely raw and real—true experiences that have shaped the person I am today. The best part about bringing my passion back is that nothing is holding me back anymore. I’m not biting my tongue or tiptoeing around the feelings I want to express. Now, I write whatever I want based on real experiences and genuine emotions, and that’s what makes each song so special.
Every stage of life creates a new chapter—almost a new sound and a new version of yourself. With these life experiences, bringing music back into my life, and having my family involved, there’s no time to hold back. It’s all about being in the moment and showing the world that it’s never too late—and how reigniting your passion can truly nourish the soul.
Turning Pages feels like both a metaphor and a mission. What are some of the emotional or personal ‘pages’ you had to turn to get here?
I feel like I truly had to learn the hard knocks of the business in my early 20s. Because of what I went through early on in the music industry, I learned very quickly that trust and honesty don’t come easily. I thought to myself, okay—I can either fully pursue music and put starting a family on the back burner, or I can take the route of moving to the suburbs, back to where I grew up, get married, start a family, and do all the things we feel we should be doing—maybe possibly incorporating music later on in life.
I just knew this was going to be it for me for a while, or possibly forever, and I had to be okay with that. In the moment, I convinced myself I was. I took my experiences with music, threw them under the rug, and didn’t intend to think about them because every time I did, there was so much hurt. I couldn’t bear the thought of what I went through and how I put my parents through all the highs and lows, the emotional roller coasters of the music business.
A little over two years ago, I was offered an opportunity to go back into the studio with an LA producer—to do some writing, help with his library, and possibly demo work. The second I stepped back into the studio, all those feelings literally started rushing back. It was like reconnecting with my lost self. I was invigorated being there, but at the same time, it felt so strange. How could I have lost all those years without continuing to fulfill something I love so much? I was upset that I let the heartache and pain get in the way.
Once again, I found myself doubting my decisions. But at that moment, I knew I had to stop being so hard on myself, be grateful for the opportunity, and just see where it would take me. That’s when a lightbulb went off—I realized I needed to create a new version of Stefanie Michaela. I asked myself: what would an EP or album look like for her? How far could we take this? And how could I incorporate my family and involve everyone to make it one big passionate project?
You’ve trained in prestigious arts institutions and also taken time away from the spotlight. What lessons did you learn outside of the industry that shaped your artistry the most?
Keep your circle small. Surround yourself with people who truly want the best for you. If you have a strong support system, that is everything. Finding your authentic self is what life is all about. When you believe in yourself and the message you’re trying to convey, your voice will naturally resonate with others.
At this stage of my life, it’s literally now or never. What I thought was completely lost and out of my life has now come back in full force. I do believe things happen for a reason. I think it just wasn’t my time when I was younger—I needed to go through many life experiences to really appreciate the person I am today, which I hope truly shows through my music. It feels like everything was meant to be for me to start this new version of myself—starting now.
What do you hope women, especially those navigating motherhood, identity, or self-worth, take away from your comeback and your music?
What I want to say to all the mothers out there is this: it’s truly never too late to return to what you’re passionate about. If an opportunity comes your way and you’re not sure why or feel hesitant, maybe you should just test it out—it could be exactly what you’ve been looking for, even if you don’t realize it yet.
If there is a passion you truly love and you can incorporate it into your daily life—whether that’s a dance class, horseback riding, or reading your favorite book—whatever it may be, if it takes you out of your routine and is something just for you, I say go for it! Doing something you love each day, something that makes you smile and feel happier, is amazing for your soul and inspiring for those around you.
This will fill a void inside you that you may not even realize is missing. Going back to my passion has given me so much more each day to be excited about. I love bettering myself daily—practicing with my local coach, writing new songs to share with others, and getting into the studio to deliver my whole self authentically.
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