Still scribbling love hearts around your celeb crush while your bestie’s busy planning a real-life walk down the aisle (not just the one in your daydreams)? Enter Ava Della Pietra. The 20-something New Yorker has done it all — from Broadway musicals to literally leading Rudolph in festive dance mode every Christmas. Now she’s back with her latest single, ‘Single For Life.’ We caught up with her to talk rooftop dance numbers, quirky studio rituals, and everything in between.
Hi Ava — you’re currently pulling off a total Hannah Montana moment: Harvard–Berklee joint program in biology and music theory, all while professionally pursuing music. Since you clearly have scheduling superpowers, what are your go-to busy-girl hacks you’d pass along to someone who’s trying to juggle it all?
Lots of to-do lists and planning things out so deadlines don’t sneak up on me! But honestly, the biggest hack is loving what you’re doing. It’s way easier to work hard when you’re passionate about it. And for the stuff I don’t totally love, I try to find the fun parts that make it rewarding.
One of your first big breaks was Broadway’s School of Rock, where you famously learned bass in three days for your audition (!!). Even though you could basically start your own one-woman band with all the instruments you already play, is there one you’d love to pick up and learn at lightning speed now?
I think it would be so awesome to play the harmonica! Just full Bob Dylan vibes with guitar and harmonica at the same time. Also, I performed alternative percussion and bucket drumming with THUD (The Harvard Undergraduate Drummers), which has made me want to learn how to play drums!
You went on to appear on Sesame Street for Andy Grammer’s ‘What Are We Going To Play Today?’ While you were still a teenager, did that experience teach you anything about performing for different age groups—or maybe about connecting with audiences in new ways?
Totally! First of all, I was fangirling because I’m such a huge Andy Grammer fan. The funniest part of the experience was when the director would hand us random props, like a cardboard box, and say, “This is a car; now go!” That experience really stuck with me, because it showed that sometimes the best way to connect with an audience is to step into their perspective and see the world the way they do. I also ended up performing at Live in the Vineyard a few years later on the same lineup as Andy, which was kind of a full-circle moment!
‘Single For Life’ is produced by Alex Koste (Cheat Codes, Loote). What do you think he brought to the track that nobody else could have?
Alex is amazing! He creates such a comfortable environment and is always open to trying out different ideas to see what sticks. ‘Single for Life’ has an interesting dichotomy: it’s a little sad having to share my BFF with her new boyfriend, but the song ultimately lives in a joyful, nostalgic universe of friendship. We pulled inspiration from songs like ‘Good Luck, Babe’ and ‘Running Up That Hill,’ and it evolved into something unique that I really love.
A lot of people have literally been single their whole lives, and society often twists that into being some sort of “flaw” or “defect.” Was part of your intention to reframe the narrative around singlehood, and what do you hope your listeners, especially those who’ve never been in a relationship, take away from it?
‘Single For Life’ admits that it can be a bummer when your partner-in-crime isn’t single anymore, but I also wanted to show that singlehood isn’t a flaw. At the end of the day, it’s a lighthearted song that laughs at the obsession we all have with relationships while reminding people that friendship and independence are just as worth celebrating. Some of my favorite moments are when I poke fun at myself, like the line, “Blah blah blah, I’ll be happy for you, but why’d he have to be so goddamn cute!”
In the ‘Single For Life’ music video, there’s a subtle but heartbreaking Taylor Swift nod: the friendship bracelet snapping. Since friendship bracelets have become such a staple at concerts now, what lyric from this song would you love to see appear on one?
I think, “We’ll both be single for life.” It’s the hook of the song and would look so cute on a friendship bracelet. Or maybe ‘La la la life’ because it captures the unserious and playful side of the track.
The music video has so many fun choreography moments, but the rooftop flash mob is such a standout. What was it like filming that scene—did it feel as electric as it looks?
It was so electric! Everyone was so high-energy and cheering before and after each take. And fun fact: even though it’s the final shot of the video, it was actually the very first thing we filmed. Shooting it right at sunset made it extra magical.
The video closes with a sweet twist: you open the same door we see at the start, but instead of a boyfriend, it’s us—your fans. How have your fans supported you during those dips in your love life or reminded you of love when you needed it most?
My fans are basically my ultimate hype squad. Even when I have some “ugh” moments in my love life, they’ll send me messages and just remind me that love doesn’t have to come from one person but rather from an entire community.
You recently shared pics of your dog Cooper hanging out with you in the studio (certified cutest studio assistant ever). Besides Cooper, what other lucky charms or must-haves do you keep close when you’re writing hits?
I have a tradition of eating ramen at least once during a session! It’s warm, so it keeps my voice feeling good, but it’s also just so good! It puts me in the creative zone.
You’ve covered everyone from Olivia Rodrigo to Lizzy McAlpine, and your takes always feel like they could live in the same world as your originals. If ‘Single For Life’ had a sister song—like the other half of a best-friend necklace—what track do you think captures the “friend’s POV” to your story?
’22’ by Taylor Swift! The line “It’s miserable and magical” really sums it up, because being single can definitely sting sometimes, but it can also be so much fun!
We put the question to Ava, and now it’s your turn: which ‘Single For Life’ lyric deserves a spot on your ultimate friendship bracelet? Drop your picks in our DMs (Twitter, Insta, Facebook — we’ll be scrolling).
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