Stefanie Michaela Stakes Her Claim on Shimmery Track, “Stay In Your Lane”

INMUSIC OFFICIAL

28 May 2025

Stefanie Michaela is back with a powerful message in her new single, “Stay in Your Lane.” Released as the third track from her upcoming EP Turning Pages, the song is an anthem of self-worth, confidence, and personal growth. Once again, Stefanie pours herself into the lyrics, speaking directly to anyone feeling overwhelmed by comparison or judgment. The track encourages listeners to focus on their own journey, ignore outside noise, and invest their energy in becoming their best selves. “It’s about ignoring the outside noise, staying true to your authenticity, and doing what genuinely makes you feel full and happy,” Stefanie shares.

To bring “Stay in Your Lane” to life, the singer-songwriter teamed up with Grammy-winning producer Keith Thomas, resulting in a smooth R&B groove with modern pop production. The single follows “Found in You” and “Sometimes,” setting the tone for an EP that promises to be her most personal project yet.

Stefanie, who stepped away from music to focus on her family, says Turning Pages marks a new beginning. “This is the return of Stefanie Michaela—and there’s so much more to come,” she explains. Earlier this year, she gave us a glimpse into the project, describing it as “an authentic, real story of someone who has experienced heartbreak, disappointment, trust issues—but has also experienced beautiful love.”

Now, Stefanie speaks again with InMusic, sharing insights into the new single.

Can you tell us about your new single, “Stay in Your Lane”?

This song truly means so much to me. It’s about ignoring the outside noise, staying true to your authenticity, and doing what genuinely makes you feel full and happy. If everyone focused more on bettering themselves—instead of comparing or criticizing others—we’d all feel so much happier.

“Stay in Your Lane” is about focusing on your own path and tuning out judgment. These days, with everything being so easily accessible, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison. But the more time we spend looking around, the less time we have to invest in becoming the best versions of ourselves. Incorporating what you love into your daily routine and staying in your own lane—without worrying about what others think—can be a complete game changer. That’s the heart of this song. The message is powerful, and I believe the title speaks for itself.

What’s the meaning behind this song?

The meaning behind the song is simple: you do you, I’ll do me—and let’s support each other instead of tearing one another down. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, and be that person for others. I’m all for inviting someone into my lane, but I’d much rather we stay in our own lanes, grow individually, and ride side-by-side—creating something beautiful together. There’s so much wasted energy in gossip and assumptions. People often think they know what someone else is going through, but they don’t. Instead of spending energy talking about others, invest it in becoming the best version of yourself. That’s what this song is all about.

What message do you hope women—especially mothers—take away from “Stay in Your Lane”?

Try not to get stuck in the day-to-day routine—there’s no reason you can’t include something you love in your everyday life. We waste so much energy wishing for the life we dreamed of instead of taking steps toward it. Being a mother doesn’t mean we stop having dreams and aspirations. Stay in Your Lane is about focusing on yourself and becoming the woman, mother, and friend you want to be. Stop looking into other people’s backyards—you have no idea what’s really going on. Don’t assume you know someone’s life, and don’t waste your energy talking about others. Instead, pour that energy into your own growth and rise to the top.

In “Stay in Your Lane,” you team up with Grammy-winning producer Keith Thomas.

How did this collaboration come about?

I was connected to Keith through my amazing team at Dead Horse Branding in Nashville. Anyone who knows Keith Thomas knows he creates masterpieces—he’s incredibly talented. The songs he produces have such depth and feeling, with a beautiful clarity that allows every lyric to shine through. That’s exactly the vibe I was going for. I knew right away that Keith and I would be a perfect match for the songs I wanted to bring to life on my EP Turning Pages. We share the same energy and creative vision, and together we’ve crafted music that feels truly authentic, with an emotional pop and R&B flair. Keith understands exactly the lane I want to be in—he knows I’m all about bringing back that ’90s R&B vibe—and he’s been the perfect partner to help make that sound a reality.

This song follows “Found In You” and “Sometimes” as the third single from your upcoming EP, Turning Pages. Will there be another song released before the EP comes out?

Yes, we’ll be adding about three more songs to the EP, and I’m super excited about it. This marks the beginning of a new chapter—one that proves it’s never too late to follow your passion. Even with a family, that drive doesn’t fade—it deepens. It pushes you to grow, to better yourself, and to become the version of you that you’ve always wanted to be.

In your recent interview with us, you said the EP “is Stefanie’s story.” How has your personal journey shaped the songs on Turning Pages?

I’ve been through so much, and honestly, it feels like we’ve only just scratched the surface. This is the beginning of me telling my story—my journey. I plan to dig deep into the struggles I’ve faced, the setbacks that nearly pulled me away from music altogether. There were moments when I lost hope, when I felt broken and like I wasn’t good enough, and I didn’t know who I could trust. It’s wild to realize that later in life, you can choose to take a risk—and that one decision can completely shift your perspective on everything you thought was holding you back. Now, I’m in a place of strength, and I’m ready to share my truth with the world. This EP is the return of Stefanie Michaela—and there’s so much more to come.

Is there anything else you’d like people to know?

I want people to know that music has always been my everything. Putting it on the back burner may not have been the best decision—but I truly believe there was a reason I stepped away for a while. That time gave me experiences and lessons I now feel compelled to share. I want people to hear the stories I’ve lived—the heartbreaks, the trust issues, the struggles with body dysmorphia, and the unrealistic standards of perfection I chased for far too long. I now understand that perfection doesn’t exist. This is me—raw and real—and I want to connect with others through that honesty. Life isn’t perfect. We all have a story to tell. And what better way to tell that story than through beautiful melodies and honest, heartfelt lyrics?

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