Thea Astley Reimagines the Last “Stage of Grief” With Debut Single “Never” | ABS-CBN
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Thea Astley Reimagines the Last “Stage of Grief” With Debut Single “Never”
Thea Astley Reimagines the Last “Stage of Grief” With Debut Single “Never”
Grace Libero-Cruz
Published Feb 26, 2024 10:27 AM PHT
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Updated Feb 26, 2024 06:19 PM PHT
Singer-songwriter Thea Astley Photo courtesy of Universal Records Philippines
Singer-songwriter Thea Astley Photo courtesy of Universal Records Philippines “Never” is such a powerful one-word statement. It can take so much to reach that point where one can say it with certainty. It’s just one word, and yet, it’s so impactful and evocative of confidence and empowerment.
“Never” is such a powerful one-word statement. It can take so much to reach that point where one can say it with certainty. It’s just one word, and yet, it’s so impactful and evocative of confidence and empowerment.
On repeat in the chorus, “never” speaks of how Thea Astley is taking charge of a situation and claiming her freedom.
On repeat in the chorus, “never” speaks of how Thea Astley is taking charge of a situation and claiming her freedom.
Her debut single, the R&B track “Never,” was inspired by her ex-boyfriend. Thea shared the story behind the song she penned for about a week during the pandemic: “I remember a guy I used to date, he just suddenly blocked me out of the blue, and then I was so confused… ‘I thought you’re over it. I thought we were done na. I thought we were out of each other’s lives.’ It was a shock that he apparently got affected by something that I posted. So, he blocked me. ‘Okay, so you’re still affected. What is it that you want?’ Kaya nasulat ko ’yung ‘Never.’ ‘Well, sorry, kasi tapos na e. It’s never gonna happen again.’”
Her debut single, the R&B track “Never,” was inspired by her ex-boyfriend. Thea shared the story behind the song she penned for about a week during the pandemic: “I remember a guy I used to date, he just suddenly blocked me out of the blue, and then I was so confused… ‘I thought you’re over it. I thought we were done na. I thought we were out of each other’s lives.’ It was a shock that he apparently got affected by something that I posted. So, he blocked me. ‘Okay, so you’re still affected. What is it that you want?’ Kaya nasulat ko ’yung ‘Never.’ ‘Well, sorry, kasi tapos na e. It’s never gonna happen again.’”
Love songs, breakup songs, and songs for moving on are timeless, and they’re even more heartfelt when told from the singer’s personal experience. A collaboration between Thea and Universal Records Philippines, “Never” morphed into an anthem and declaration of self-worth and self-love.
Love songs, breakup songs, and songs for moving on are timeless, and they’re even more heartfelt when told from the singer’s personal experience. A collaboration between Thea and Universal Records Philippines, “Never” morphed into an anthem and declaration of self-worth and self-love.
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Thea’s lyrics are primarily Filipino. But when she heard the music, she said, “Una kong naisip ’yung ‘Never, never’ na hook. So I was like, ‘Kaya lang English ito.’ So du’n na nag-develop na, ‘Okay, p’wede naman na Taglish.’”
Thea’s lyrics are primarily Filipino. But when she heard the music, she said, “Una kong naisip ’yung ‘Never, never’ na hook. So I was like, ‘Kaya lang English ito.’ So du’n na nag-develop na, ‘Okay, p’wede naman na Taglish.’”
Aside from the relatable message, the song also has a catchy tune, sending out a wave of encouragement and cheer rather than that lingering somber feeling of how the curtain has fallen on the past.
Aside from the relatable message, the song also has a catchy tune, sending out a wave of encouragement and cheer rather than that lingering somber feeling of how the curtain has fallen on the past.
That picture of the curtain coming down has quite a literal interpretation in Thea’s promotional shoot for the song. Thoughtful of every detail that went into the production and release of her creation, it’s interesting that Thea was very hands-on from conceptualization to execution.
That picture of the curtain coming down has quite a literal interpretation in Thea’s promotional shoot for the song. Thoughtful of every detail that went into the production and release of her creation, it’s interesting that Thea was very hands-on from conceptualization to execution.
Talking about the visual mood board for “Never,” she explained, “I wrote this during the pandemic, and I joined the Universal Records family only last year, so ’yung concept ko for ‘Never,’ ang tagal na nito. When I wrote the song pa lang, naisip ko na how I wanted it to look visually... Kaya siya lavish table setting with lavish utensils and glasses kasi it was me celebrating myself… And then, meron pa du’n candles sa tables that have melted na, for me, it symbolizes ‘tapos na.’ ‘I waited for you for so long, ubos na ’yung kandila, so it’s done.’”
Talking about the visual mood board for “Never,” she explained, “I wrote this during the pandemic, and I joined the Universal Records family only last year, so ’yung concept ko for ‘Never,’ ang tagal na nito. When I wrote the song pa lang, naisip ko na how I wanted it to look visually... Kaya siya lavish table setting with lavish utensils and glasses kasi it was me celebrating myself… And then, meron pa du’n candles sa tables that have melted na, for me, it symbolizes ‘tapos na.’ ‘I waited for you for so long, ubos na ’yung kandila, so it’s done.’”
As a teaser for the song release, Thea and her record label also put a twist to the “Stages of Grief” and turned it into the “Stages of a Breakup.” In Kübler-Ross’ original five stages of grief, the last stage is acceptance. But in Thea’s version, the last stage is “Never.” “’Yun ’yung part na na-accept mo na, na tapos na,” she said. “Onto the next!”
As a teaser for the song release, Thea and her record label also put a twist to the “Stages of Grief” and turned it into the “Stages of a Breakup.” In Kübler-Ross’ original five stages of grief, the last stage is acceptance. But in Thea’s version, the last stage is “Never.” “’Yun ’yung part na na-accept mo na, na tapos na,” she said. “Onto the next!”
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While busy with hosting and singing gigs, Thea is also gearing up for the next milestone in her career: her first professional theater acting stint! She was a member of the Ateneo Blue Repertory but has never really had the chance to pursue theater acting yet. But she’s finally making it happen this year as she was cast as Mimi, a seamstress with tuberculosis, in 9 Works Theatrical’s production of the classic rock musical “Rent” this coming April.
While busy with hosting and singing gigs, Thea is also gearing up for the next milestone in her career: her first professional theater acting stint! She was a member of the Ateneo Blue Repertory but has never really had the chance to pursue theater acting yet. But she’s finally making it happen this year as she was cast as Mimi, a seamstress with tuberculosis, in 9 Works Theatrical’s production of the classic rock musical “Rent” this coming April.
The music video for “Never” is also something to look forward to from Thea.
The music video for “Never” is also something to look forward to from Thea.
Now, if she could write a song about her life’s current state, Thea opened up, “So far, ’yung mga nasulat ko na kanta that are yet to come out, majority of them are love songs, some are sad, some are happy. But [they’re]... love stories between me and other people… So I guess, if I would create something now, it would be a love story naman between me and myself. Between me and my art and the internal struggles that come with that.”
Now, if she could write a song about her life’s current state, Thea opened up, “So far, ’yung mga nasulat ko na kanta that are yet to come out, majority of them are love songs, some are sad, some are happy. But [they’re]... love stories between me and other people… So I guess, if I would create something now, it would be a love story naman between me and myself. Between me and my art and the internal struggles that come with that.”
“Exciting, colorful, and nerve-racking”—that’s how Thea describes her 2024 so far. Busy is good, but she never forgets to take care of herself physically (she likes sweating it out, playing badminton) and mentally (she enjoys solving crossword puzzles every day and listening to podcasts and is a voracious reader).
“Exciting, colorful, and nerve-racking”—that’s how Thea describes her 2024 so far. Busy is good, but she never forgets to take care of herself physically (she likes sweating it out, playing badminton) and mentally (she enjoys solving crossword puzzles every day and listening to podcasts and is a voracious reader).
Get to know Thea Astley better in this exclusive Q&A:
What’s one thing you promise to never do this year?
“I promise to never sell myself short. Kasi I feel like I’ve missed opportunities in the past kasi feeling ko parang ’di ko deserve or I didn’t believe in myself enough. So, I promise to never do that this year. And to never stop trying.”
“I promise to never sell myself short. Kasi I feel like I’ve missed opportunities in the past kasi feeling ko parang ’di ko deserve or I didn’t believe in myself enough. So, I promise to never do that this year. And to never stop trying.”
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What’s one thing you’ve never tried yet that you want to finally do this year?
“I’ve never acted in theater professionally, but I’m finally going to be able to do that this year. And also, drive! Wala akong license and I’m hoping that I get to do that this year.”
“I’ve never acted in theater professionally, but I’m finally going to be able to do that this year. And also, drive! Wala akong license and I’m hoping that I get to do that this year.”
What’s one thing you will never ever say never to?
“I will never say never to a refreshing drink. I’m a refreshing drink girl. Lemonade and the like. Ang babaw! (laughs)”
“I will never say never to a refreshing drink. I’m a refreshing drink girl. Lemonade and the like. Ang babaw! (laughs)”
Is there a food that you’ve never tried yet but are dying to eat?
“I have never had fluffy pancakes, ’yung parang tall pancakes. I’ve never had that so I want to try that hopefully.”
“I have never had fluffy pancakes, ’yung parang tall pancakes. I’ve never had that so I want to try that hopefully.”
What’s something you never leave home without, aside from your mobile phone?
“I never leave home without spraying perfume. But in my bag, I always have lip balm or some lip product, lip oil. I don’t like the feeling of dry lips.” (Her favorite perfume is Maison Francis Kurkdjian in Grand Soir.)
“I never leave home without spraying perfume. But in my bag, I always have lip balm or some lip product, lip oil. I don’t like the feeling of dry lips.” (Her favorite perfume is Maison Francis Kurkdjian in Grand Soir.)
What’s a song or an album that’s (almost) never excluded from your playlist?
“I would say ‘Artpop,’ the album ‘Artpop’ by Lady Gaga, ‘Amidst the Chaos’ from Sara Bareilles, and the entire discography of Abba.”
“I would say ‘Artpop,’ the album ‘Artpop’ by Lady Gaga, ‘Amidst the Chaos’ from Sara Bareilles, and the entire discography of Abba.”
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What’s an expression you can never seem to stop saying?
“So my sister and I, we have a dog named Jack and alam niyo naman dogs, they just love to stare out into nothing. So we always say, like, he has no thoughts, like ‘jimken’ ’cause he always eats chicken. So my friends, when they ask me, ‘Ano iniisip mo?’ if I’m being quiet and I’d just say, ‘No thoughts, just ‘jimken,’ so that. I also recently started saying, ‘I’m just a girl.’ As a reason for things that I do or as an excuse. And no, it doesn’t mean na I’m saying na ‘babae lang ako,’ it’s just a funny expression lang na if someone asks me to get water, for example, I’d say, ‘Ayoko, I’m just a girl.’ I just find it funny.”
“So my sister and I, we have a dog named Jack and alam niyo naman dogs, they just love to stare out into nothing. So we always say, like, he has no thoughts, like ‘jimken’ ’cause he always eats chicken. So my friends, when they ask me, ‘Ano iniisip mo?’ if I’m being quiet and I’d just say, ‘No thoughts, just ‘jimken,’ so that. I also recently started saying, ‘I’m just a girl.’ As a reason for things that I do or as an excuse. And no, it doesn’t mean na I’m saying na ‘babae lang ako,’ it’s just a funny expression lang na if someone asks me to get water, for example, I’d say, ‘Ayoko, I’m just a girl.’ I just find it funny.”
What’s a song you can never say no to belting out in the karaoke?
“Lagi ako, una kong naiisip kantahin e if ‘I Ain’t Got You’ by Alicia Keys.”
“Lagi ako, una kong naiisip kantahin e if ‘I Ain’t Got You’ by Alicia Keys.”
What’s the ultimate comfort food that never fails to make you happy?
“If I have a long day of rehearsal and work, una kong naiisip is ramen because it fills me tapos mainit, sabaw. And then special mention siguro steak and my mom’s Bicol Express.”
“If I have a long day of rehearsal and work, una kong naiisip is ramen because it fills me tapos mainit, sabaw. And then special mention siguro steak and my mom’s Bicol Express.”
What’s a piece of advice you’ll never ever forget?
“I just read it recently. It stuck with me and I think it’s going to be my mantra for 2024 and the years to come. It’s ‘Don’t be afraid to be seen trying’ ’cause I feel like for me, in the past years I’ve been held back by the fear na people are going to think it’s cringe. Or parang I’m trying too hard, ganyan. But there’s nothing wrong with that. There’s nothing wrong with trying. There’s really nothing wrong with really striving for your goals.”
“I just read it recently. It stuck with me and I think it’s going to be my mantra for 2024 and the years to come. It’s ‘Don’t be afraid to be seen trying’ ’cause I feel like for me, in the past years I’ve been held back by the fear na people are going to think it’s cringe. Or parang I’m trying too hard, ganyan. But there’s nothing wrong with that. There’s nothing wrong with trying. There’s really nothing wrong with really striving for your goals.”
What’s a fashion item you never regret splurging on?
“I would have to say shoes. I’m a shoes girl, like sneakers, heels.” (Thea said she prefers heels over sneakers just because she uses heels more often onstage. ‘But I do have quite a number of sneakers as well,’ she said. ‘I have this Sophia Webster heels na may pakpak sa likod ng ankle and they look so pretty talaga, and they add a statement to your outfit palagi, so that’s my favorite.”)
“I would have to say shoes. I’m a shoes girl, like sneakers, heels.” (Thea said she prefers heels over sneakers just because she uses heels more often onstage. ‘But I do have quite a number of sneakers as well,’ she said. ‘I have this Sophia Webster heels na may pakpak sa likod ng ankle and they look so pretty talaga, and they add a statement to your outfit palagi, so that’s my favorite.”)
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What do you do in your me-time that never fails to put you in a good mood?
“I love listening to podcasts. That’s my me-time activity. And also reading. I’m a big bookworm. But take that with a grain of salt because some books do the opposite of leaving you in a good mood. They wreck your heart. But yeah, podcast and reading.” (The podcasts she listens to are “Perfect Person,” “I’ve Had It,” and “The Bald and The Beautiful.” For books, she reads mostly fiction, romance, mystery, and sci-fi titles. “I try to read everything,” she said.)
“I love listening to podcasts. That’s my me-time activity. And also reading. I’m a big bookworm. But take that with a grain of salt because some books do the opposite of leaving you in a good mood. They wreck your heart. But yeah, podcast and reading.” (The podcasts she listens to are “Perfect Person,” “I’ve Had It,” and “The Bald and The Beautiful.” For books, she reads mostly fiction, romance, mystery, and sci-fi titles. “I try to read everything,” she said.)
What’s one thing Thea will never ever be?
“One thing Thea will never ever be is stagnant. I think life is all about growth, movement.”
“One thing Thea will never ever be is stagnant. I think life is all about growth, movement.”
Catch our full interview with Thea Astley, soon on Metro.Style!
Lead photos courtesy of Universal Records Philippines
Lead photos courtesy of Universal Records Philippines
Special thanks to Grace Foronda
Special thanks to Grace Foronda
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