Offering a different perspective to the classic fairytale romances, that we’re made to think we should expect from as young as we can remember, CMAGIC5 gives us a much more relatable and realistic outlook. 

Alongside the intoxicating single, is the equally captivating music video, where we see CMAGIC5 immersed in an Alice in Wonderland world. However in this story, it’s the Mad Hatter that represents the toxic allure of unhealthy love. 

Variance spoke with CMAGIC5 about the new single, her advice for those experiencing heartbreak and her upcoming EP. 

How did the concept for “Happy Never After” come together? 

“Happy Never After” was born out of a desire to break free from the clichés of fairy tale romances and unrealistic standards of relationships portrayed on social media and movies. Through a fresh perspective, I wanted to create an anthemic song that reclaims power after heartbreak, turning pain into empowerment. The idea sparked during a late-night writing session where the concept of a modern-day “anti-fairytale” resonated deeply. Drawing from personal experiences and stories of others navigating toxic relationships, the song evolved into a fierce anthem of self-love and strength. This isn’t just a breakup song—it’s an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt let down by false promises and toxic people.

The writing process for Happy Never After was pretty spontaneous and free-flowing. It started with the thought of putting an angsty twist on the classic "happily ever after," and once that seed was planted, it instantly took off. I remember thinking, “What if we wish them a ‘Happy Never After’ instead?” I immediately thought it was edgy yet playful. From there, the song just kind of wrote itself, as I explored the concept of flipping the script on fairytale endings and embracing the messy, real parts of life. I started brainstorming related words like "Romeo" and "chapter," and I instantly knew we had to open the song lyrics with the classic “Once Upon a Time.” From there, we quickly shifted gears and took listeners by surprise with the angsty lyricism that followed, flipping the fairytale idea on its head. It was important to capture that sense of rebellion and empowerment right from the start, setting the tone for the rest of the track.

Sonically, I was inspired by 2000s pop-punk music and found myself listening to a lot of early Avril Lavigne, Paramore, and other pop-punk bands, especially around that time. I wanted to capture that essence of nostalgia and sprinkle it into the track for an overall feel-good vibe. Why not dance off and headbang your heartbreak away?  

Thematically, I wanted to create a track that’s a celebratory anthem for moving on from toxic ex-lovers, fake friends, or maniac bosses—those people who at first play the role of "Prince Charming" or "Romeo," but you can foresee the signs and know exactly how that last chapter of the story will end once you start sensing those red flags. It’s all about trusting your gut, empowering yourself and others to avoid getting hurt again and walking away before it’s too late. 

What advice would you give to those experiencing heartbreak?

Heartbreak is one of those universal experiences that hits hard, but it also has the power to spark serious growth. My biggest advice? Let yourself feel it—don’t rush through the emotions or try to bury them. Healing isn’t linear, and it’s okay to have days where you feel on top of the world and others where it hits like a wave again.

That said, don’t let heartbreak define you—let it refine you. Use it as fuel to rediscover your worth and pour that energy into things that light you up, whether that’s music, art, fitness, or even just spending time with people who remind you of your value. One thing that’s helped me is turning pain into power through songwriting. It’s cathartic and gives those messy emotions somewhere to go.

And remember: heartbreak doesn’t mean the end of your story—it’s just a plot twist. One day, you’ll look back and realize that the version of yourself who made it through the storm is stronger, wiser, and a whole lot more unstoppable. Oh, and blast “Happy Never After” when you need that breakup anthem energy—it was literally made for moments like this!

What 3 songs would you have on a heartbreak/ “anti-fairytale” playlist?

In addition to “Happy Never After” by yours truly, it would probably be the following 3: 

1. "My Happy Ending" - Avril Lavigne

2. “good 4 u” - Olivia Rodrigo

3. “Decode” - Paramore

The music video delves into a Tim Burton-esque scene. How important is the visual element to you and what was the process behind creating this world? 

The concept for the Happy Never After music video was something I had envisioned for a while. I wanted to blend the whimsical chaos of Alice in Wonderland with the dark, quirky energy of Beetlejuice to reflect the song’s themes of toxic love and breaking free from illusion. It’s a bold re-imagination of Alice in Wonderland with a Tim Burton-esque twist, but infused with the sharp, edgy energy of pop-punk. I play a version of Alice, who finds the book ‘Happy Never After’ and lets her curiosity get the best of her, then magically transports into the story which is this chaotic, whimsical realm that feels like a collision of Dr. Seuss and Wonderland gone dark. It’s vibrant, surreal, and a little unsettling—exactly the kind of twisted backdrop to explore themes of toxic relationships and reclaiming your power.

The visual element is huge for me—it’s like the final piece that brings the entire story to life. Music is already such an emotional experience, but visuals give me the chance to take listeners deeper into the world I’ve created. I see music videos as an extension of the song’s personality, giving the emotions, themes, and energy a physical form. Especially with tracks like “Happy Never After” that have strong storytelling elements, the visuals help amplify the message and make it hit even harder. I love using bold aesthetics, symbolism, and cinematic vibes to turn each song into its own little universe—it’s where my inner storyteller truly comes alive.

Immersing myself in that space felt like stepping into my imagination—or maybe a nightmare! The Mad Hatter, played by a female, is this seductive, manipulative figure who represents the toxic allure of unhealthy relationships. The tension between Alice and the Hatter was such a powerful metaphor for navigating those situations where love feels more like control than freedom.

Eventually, Alice makes her way back to the real world and burns the Happy Never After book in a witch’s cauldron, symbolizing her escape from the fantasy of perfect love and rewriting her own story. That moment is the catharsis the song builds to—it’s about breaking free from manipulation and owning your narrative.

From floating playing cards to giant chess pieces, it felt like stepping into my own pop-punk fairytale—one with an empowering message at its core. To me, this video isn’t just a reimagining of Alice; it’s an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt trapped in a picture-perfect illusion. It’s about breaking free from the facade, rejecting the fake fairytale, and stepping into the main character unapologetically.

Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind your artist name, CMAGIC5?

Of course! I actually came up with the name CMAGIC5 when I was little, right around the time I first activated my Instagram account. I always knew I wanted a stage name that felt distinct from my real name—kind of like how Hannah Montana had her own persona. That duality always inspired me—the idea of having a space where I could fully step into my artistic identity while still keeping a part of me private while I went to school. The C corresponds to the initial of my first name (which, who knows, maybe one day I’ll pull a The Weeknd moment and go public with it). The 5 has always been my lucky number—I was born on the 5th day of the 5th month, so it’s kind of my cosmic number. And Magic? Well, as cliché as it might sound, I’ve always felt like music is pure magic. It has this unexplainable power to heal, connect, and make people feel seen. Whether you’re blasting your favorite song in your room or hearing a crowd scream back the lyrics at a show, there’s something kind of otherworldly about it. So, CMAGIC5 became more than just a username—it turned into my artistic identity, one that holds a little piece of where I came from and a whole lot of where I’m going.

You recently graduated from the University of Toronto. What was your experience like there?

Yes I did! Graduating from the University of Toronto was such a massive milestone for me because it wasn’t always easy to juggle school and music simultaneously. I’ve always believed in the power of education, and I wanted to prove that you don’t have to choose between pursuing your dreams and earning a degree. There’s this stigma that to become a successful artist, you need to drop out of school—but I wanted to fight against that and prove that it’s possible to do both. That feels like a more punk rock rebel attitude to me! 

For me, it felt like living the best of both worlds—kind of like Miley nerding it out at school during the day and Hannah rocking the stage by night! Of course, it wasn’t easy, and there were definitely moments of breakdowns and stress. It was like juggling two businesses at once: managing deadlines for school while also working on music projects, writing songs, and performing. But in the end, the discipline, organization, and resilience it taught me were the greatest rewards.

One of the biggest lessons I learned is that there’s so much more to education than just textbooks. School gave me structure, a solid foundation, valuable life skills, and a new perspective that I can bring into my music and career. And the feeling of walking across that stage at graduation, knowing I earned my degree while staying true to my dreams, is something I’ll always be proud of. That’s some real rockstar behavior in my opinion :)

To anyone in a similar situation, I’d say this: if you have a dream, go for it—but don’t underestimate the value of education. Staying in school isn’t just about academics; it’s a symbol of your hard work, determination, and ability to balance. Plus, let’s be real—it looks really good on you! Stay organized, lean on your support system, and remember why you’re doing what you’re doing. It won’t always be easy, but trust me, it’s worth it.

If you could transport back in time to speak to a younger CMAGIC5, what’s one thing you would tell her, having the perspective and experience you have now?

I’d tell her: Stop doubting yourself and take up space—loudly. The things that make you different are your superpowers, not your weaknesses. Keep writing those songs, keep chasing that crazy dream, and don’t let anyone make you feel like you have to fit into a box. I’d also remind her that rejection isn’t failure—it’s redirection. And while you’re at it, enjoy the ride a little more, because every little struggle, every late-night writing session, and every “no” you hear is just pushing you closer to the right opportunities. Embrace the chaos — it’s all part of the magic.

“Happy Never After” is the title-track from your upcoming EP. What was it about this specific song that made you want it to be the title-track?

“Happy Never After” perfectly encapsulates the energy and message of the entire EP. It represents the turning point in the journey of self-empowerment and breaking free from the illusions of perfect love that society and fairy tales often promote. The song challenges those unrealistic expectations and flips the script on what a "happily ever after" should look like. It’s raw, rebellious, and unapologetic—exactly the kind of tone I wanted to set for the EP. 

This track also acts as the foundation for the themes that flow throughout the entire project: reclaiming your power after heartbreak, embracing who you truly are, and not settling for the fairytale fantasy. The moment you realize you’ve been hiding the best qualities of yourself to ‘fit in’—and feel that urge to break free—is the first step toward unlocking your inner alter ego, the fearless, unapologetic version of yourself. It felt essential to make this song the centerpiece of the EP because it’s one of the most anthemic and cathartic tracks, and I wanted that energy to radiate through every song that follows. It’s the perfect introduction to what the entire body of work stands for—being your bold, true self without compromise.

What other themes can we expect to hear on the EP?

The Happy Never After EP is all about embracing self-empowerment and fully stepping into your badass era. This project marks a major milestone for me—symbolizing my first big chapter—crafted alongside Billboard-charting, Juno award-winning producers and songwriters. Each track encourages listeners to channel their “main character energy” while guiding them through a dynamic journey of realizing self-worth, building confidence, and unleashing their inner rebel.

But it’s not all just fire and attitude—this EP also dives into the messy, vulnerable moments that often come before finding that strength. It’s about owning your story, breaking free from expectations, embracing the chaos, and giving your mindset a total makeover.

The ultimate goal is that each single gets you one step closer to unleashing your alter ego—that fearless, unapologetic version of yourself. Whether you’ve been hiding the best parts of who you are or you’re finally ready to step into a bold new chapter, these songs are designed to uplift, empower, and help you own every part of who you truly are, including the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

Sometimes your greatest plot twist is becoming the hero of your own story.