Who Among Us? Selena Gomez And Julia Michaels Bonded Over 'Shitty Ex-Boyfriends'

Julia Michaels was penning hit songs long before she dropped "Issues" in 2017. Nevertheless identically as key as her own songs have been the songs she's helped write for others — including a number of of Selena Gomez's biggest hits, from 2013's "Slow Down" to her recent single "Lose You To Love Me." Right now that they've known each other for years, the 26-year-old songwriter opened up to Variety about the co-writing process and why bonding over their ex-boyfriends helped them design a hit song.


as soon as [Gomez and I] first began working with each other [in 2013], it began as me writing the songs," Michaels mentioned. And any time once she returned to the studio one day to adjust some lyrics, the two realized just how much they had in normal — particularly once it came to past relationships. "[Gomez] was like, 'We must be going by way of the exact same thing because you're writing everything that I feel.'" Michaels recalled. "And I was like, 'Oh, cool, you had a shitty ex-boyfriend also? Let's go!'"


For Michaels, spending time getting to know the artist she's working with is a critical part of the songwriting process. "The thing that inspires me the most is conversations, conversations I have with other people and ones I have with myself. That assists the me figure out what I'd like to mention lyrically," she instructed them mag. Yet ultimately, she finds the most success any time as soon as she writes as if she's confronting someone directly. "If you can mention it to somebody, why couldn't you mention it exactly how you would in a song?" She said.


That tactic is the one that's worked well for both Michaels and Gomez. And right now, the two immediately divulge their innermost thoughts and emotions while they step into the studio with each other. "She walks into the room and we instantly begin pouring out our feelings," Michaels mentioned of their process. "There's a mixing of perspectives, and then we write." And while it's true that the bond they've developed is accountable for a number of of Gomez's best work, Michaels has had fulfilling experiences writing with other artists as well.


At this point, Michaels has written songs with and for music industry heavyweights including Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, John Legend, and numerous others. And right now that she's been in the game for a minute, she feels, above all else, especially fortunate for the possibilities she's been given. She told Variety, "I'm really grateful to have people believe in me enough to have me in the room and talk about how their lives are going and trust enough to aid me put them on the paper and into the world." And honestly, we're grateful for that, too.