Mae Estes: "I'm Just Trying To Put The Imposter Syndrome Aside Enough To Actually Enjoy It"
- Jul 8
- 3 min read
Written by Lauren Page | @LiveWithLP
After a first UK trip that saw her battling what she affectionately calls the "super flu," seeing Mae Estes back on British soil felt like the comeback we'd all been waiting for.
When I caught up with her backstage at BST Hyde Park before she opened for Garth Brooks, the first thing we laughed about was just how different this visit had been.
"I made so many friends through that process," Mae smiled, reflecting on her illness-plagued C2C debut. "I feel like people are rooting for me even more somehow after that."
Thankfully this time there were no tissues, no flu and no cancelled plans - just blazing sunshine, cowboy hats and one of the biggest shows of her career.
Speaking of big moments... opening for Garth Brooks isn't exactly something that lands in your inbox every day.
Mae admitted saying yes wasn't exactly a difficult decision.
"My booking agency pretty much knew before they asked me that I was going to say yes," she laughed. "Any way I could physically get here, I wanted to be a part of it."
What I wasn't expecting was just how far back the Garth connection actually goes.
Turns out the country legend had already been watching.
"Garth got my number after Trisha showed him one of my YouTube videos," Mae revealed. "I honestly blacked out after he mentioned Trisha!"
You can still see the disbelief on her face talking about it.
Knowing someone like Garth Brooks believes in you has to feel surreal - but honestly, if you've spent any time watching Mae Estes perform, it makes perfect sense.
She's one of country music's hardest workers.
"I've been playing music since I was seven years old," she told me. "I'm in my thirties now... this has been my whole life."
Maybe that's why seeing everything beginning to fall into place feels so emotional.
"I'm just trying to put the imposter syndrome aside enough to actually enjoy it."
That honesty is probably one of the reasons fans connect with her so much.
Whether it's on stage or online, Mae never pretends to have it all figured out.
And speaking of connections, one of the highlights of this year has been teaming up with Braxton Keith on his debut album.
Sometimes collaborations can feel forced.
This one absolutely doesn't.
"Sometimes you get songs and they just don't fit you," she explained. "But this one felt like it was made for me and him."
Having already performed it together live in Texas, it's easy to see why fans have fallen in love with the pairing.
As exciting as the collaborations have been though, what's coming next might be even bigger.
New music arrives this summer, but beyond that... Mae is finally making her debut album.
"I've never gotten to make a full record before," she said. "I'm having to go through hundreds of song babies trying to decide which ones make it."
It's a process she compares to picking your favourite child.
Impossible... but somehow you still have to do it.
One thing she did confirm?
There'll definitely be collaborations on the record...The names, however, are staying firmly under wraps for now.
Before we wrapped up, I asked my favourite question of every interview: who's an artist everyone should be listening to?
Mae didn't hesitate.
"Emily Ann Roberts."
Calling her one of the most underrated women in country music, Mae couldn't stop praising her songwriting, vocals and creativity.
She also gave Alexandra Kay her flowers, admitting she's constantly inspired by the women around her who are proving that building a career today is just as much about business as it is about music.
Perhaps my favourite moment of the conversation came right at the end though.
Talking about the UK, Mae's face completely lit up. "The love I feel over here is so genuine," she said. "People really love live music... we'll be spending a ton of time over here."
After everything that happened during her first visit, it genuinely feels like she's found a second home. Judging by the reception she received at Hyde Park, I don't think it'll be long before she's back.
Mae Estes The 90's Called is out Friday 17th July