Mod Sun opened up about his engagement to Avril Lavigne during an appearance on Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast Thursday.
The musician reflected on his relationship with the “Girlfriend” singer during the interview. He’s 38, she’s 41.
“We met through a truly awesome label making music,” Smith said per E!. “It was lovely. She was a true talent being around. I write and produce songs for other artists, so it was amazing coming up with an idea and seeing someone so f—ing talented sing it.”
The two musicians first connected in January 2021. They released their collaborative single “Flames” within weeks of meeting.
Romance developed quickly. They were first romantically linked in February 2021 and got engaged in Paris in April 2022.
“We’re two different people, but I think I had a great influence on her. I think she couldn’t have had a more wonderful influence on me from the side of [helping me] grow up. Like now, I’m very secure of who I am, because I’ve been lost in the last three years of wondering, ‘Where do I fit in?'”
The engagement lasted less than a year. Sources close to the couple confirmed to PEOPLE in February 2023 that they’d called off the engagement.
According to Mod Sun, he’s focused on understanding the split through empathy rather than anger.
“I pray every single day, and in those prayers, I’m like, ‘Just allow me to lead with empathy and be a shining light,'” he told Bunnie.
He explained his approach to processing the breakup has evolved. “My form of empathy is finally attached to being like, ‘Dude, you’ve got to get outside of yourself. When someone does you wrong, stop thinking, “F— them, you did me dirty, and I’m out for revenge.”‘ It started being like, ‘Step in their position.'”
His perspective wasn’t always this positive.
“If we had done this talk three months ago, I might’ve been like, ‘F— that person. I hope she hears this,'” he admitted. “But I’m now just like, ‘If I run into you? It’s all love. I hope you’re well.'”
Lavigne hasn’t publicly addressed the breakup. She was briefly linked to rapper Tyga in March 2023, but that relationship ended after three months.
Processing Through Music
Mod Sun has been open about the split through his music. In July 2023, he released a breakup song called “Strangers” with lyrics about their romance.
The music video was filmed in Paris – the same city where he’d proposed to Lavigne.
The song chronicles their relationship from beginning to end. “I remember loving you before we ever met / Saw you on a TV then I met you through a friend / Then I started talking to you on the internet / Went from strangers to lovers to strangers again,” he sings.
The lyrics get more specific about their issues: “Our first fight / I saw your true colors, your bad side / Pictures on the internet you can’t hide / Soon as I go out of state, I’m out of mind.”
During the week of their breakup, Mod Sun posted on Instagram thanking fans for their support.
“In 1 week my entire life completely changed…I just know there’s a plan for it all,” he wrote. “I’ll keep my head up + always listen to my heart, even when it feels broken “
He referenced his 2023 tour in the post. “Being surrounded by love every night on tour has been an absolute blessing. I have the best friends in the entire world, thanks for always having my back. See you on stage.”
