Maria Ellis is back and bolder than ever. The Long Island-born, Berklee-trained singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist has dropped her new single “Hater” today (September 26), pairing drill- and trap-inspired production with her signature pop/R&B vocals. The result? A fierce anthem about spotting fake friends and brushing off hidden agendas—with just the right amount of sass.
“I’ve always loved fusing different genres in my songs, and this felt like a really natural direction for me to take as an artist,” Ellis tells Celeb Secrets in an exclusive interview. “I love pop/R&B, so adding those trap elements felt very fun for me.”
Co-written by Ellis and produced by Reach, whose work has earned over 8.6 million global streams, the track came together in a lightning-fast 20 minutes after Ellis heard the perfect beat. “Sometimes it just takes the perfect instrumental to create the song you’ve been looking for,” she adds.
The single is accompanied by a visually bold music video directed by Jasper Soloff (Billie Eilish, Tate McRae), where Ellis brings the song’s cheeky yet cutting attitude to life. Between the lyrics that hit hard and the infectious hook, “Hater” perfectly captures Ellis’ unapologetic energy—one that celebrates power, confidence, and self-expression at every turn.
With her debut EP Ultrabaddie already earning acclaim for exploring empowerment, love, and loss, Maria Ellis is proving that her next chapter isn’t just an evolution—it’s a full-on statement. “Sexy, chic, and euphoric! That’s how I’d describe this next era of my music,” she shares.
Keep scrolling to listen to “Hater” and read our full Q&A, as Maria dives into the inspiration behind “Hater,” her creative process, and what fans can expect from this new, unapologetic side of her artistry. Don’t forget to let us know what you think of the track by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecrets.
Celeb Secrets: “Hater” feels like a bold shift with its drill/trap-inspired production layered over your Pop/R&B vocals. What drew you to this sonic direction, and how does it represent where you are creatively right now?
Maria Ellis: “I’ve always loved fusing different genres in my songs and this felt like a really natural direction for me to take as an artist. I love pop/r&b so adding those trap elements felt very fun for me.”
CS: You’ve said the song is about realizing someone close to you doesn’t actually have your back. Was there a specific moment or feeling that sparked the idea for “Hater”?
ME: “I’ve been trying to write a song with this subject matter for years but I could never quite get it right. Then my friend/producer Reach sent me this beat and I wrote the whole song in 20 minutes. Sometimes it just takes that perfect instrumental to create the song you’ve been looking for.”
CS: The lyrics are cheeky but cut deep — how do you strike that balance between playful and powerful when writing?
ME: “Thank you! I want the songwriting to feel like having an honest conversation with me. I like adding a little bit of humor and sarcasm to the songs while also being blunt at the same time.”
CS: Jasper Soloff has worked with some huge names like Billie Eilish and Tate McRae. What was it like collaborating with him on the “Hater” video, and how did you bring the track’s attitude to life visually?
ME: “Jasper is awesome and incredibly talented. We did a photoshoot for my last single ‘I Like Me (When I’m Loving You)’ and he had the idea for us to do a music video together. When he asked I instantly thought of this song because I knew it could be such a cool concept for a video. We worked together to create this visual story of myself and my “Hater” and I’m so proud of how this video turned out.”
CS: How important is it for you to stay hands-on in shaping your music from start to finish?
ME: “I love being involved in the creating process as much as possible. It’s so fun for me to write music that reflects my life and create songs that make light out of things that can feel heavy. Also, I love tracking my own vocals and I do that for every song that I make. I love to vocal produce and vocal arrange so there’s always a distinct sound in my songs.”
CS: Fake friends and hidden agendas are such universal experiences. What do you hope listeners take away emotionally when they press play on “Hater”?
ME: “I hope that they feel empowered to ignore whatever negativity comes their way. It’s not a great feeling when you realize someone in your life isn’t well intentioned but it’s a blessing to rid yourself of that energy and say ‘damn, we got a Hater over here’ and brush it off.”
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CS: You’ve described yourself as embracing power, sexuality, and strength on your own terms. How do you channel that unapologetic energy into your songwriting?
ME: “Songwriting has always been my freest place to go so naturally, I love creating music that holds these different parts of myself whether it’s sexy, confident, happy, or even hurt. I love making music that is honest because it also gives permission for my fans to be authentically themselves as well.”
CS: Your debut EP ‘Ultrabaddie’ explored themes of empowerment and loss. Do you see “Hater” as an extension of that world or the start of a new era for you?
ME: ‘My debut EP is a giant representation of me as an artist so these new songs might feel like an extension of that project but it is a new musical era for me. I’m really proud of this new music and excited to show even more sides of my artistry. You’ll have to stay tuned to see what unravels next!’
CS: You started writing songs at six and even went viral on TikTok with your “Mood” verse in 2020. How has your journey from Long Island to Berklee to where you are now shaped the artist we see today?
ME: ‘I would say that every experience has shaped me into the artist and woman that I am today. I started writing/performing when I was a little girl and have continued working since then. Also, throughout my career I’ve been exposed to so much more music that has inspired my sound. My journey on social media and TikTok has given me my fanbase and exposed me to an audience that I am so grateful for.’
CS: If “Ultrabaddie” was your introduction, how would you describe the next chapter of Maria Ellis in three words?
ME: “Sexy, Chic, and Euphoric!”
CS: When fans hear “Hater” live, what kind of energy do you want to bring to the stage
ME: “I want the audience to bring all their energy with this one. I’m really excited to perform the hook live because it’s packed with sass.”
CS: Since we’re Celeb Secrets, what’s one secret (fun fact) your fans would be surprised to learn about you outside of music?
ME: “I’m not sure if it’s a secret but I love to bake. Baking/Cooking is like songwriting to me – It’s such an escape for me and also a way that I show love. If I love you I probably have either written about you or baked you a homemade dish or both if you’re lucky…”
