Zara Chantelle Takes Back Control on “Toxic Ex”

At just 19 years old, Adelaide singer-songwriter Zara Chantelle has already worked out how to turn difficult experiences into songs that feel direct, personal and sharply observed. Her new single, “Toxic Ex”, does exactly that, transforming years of criticism into an unapologetic pop-rock reckoning.

Zara writes indie-pop and rock songs about the situations people would probably rather forget. Relationships, therapy and emotional fallout all find their way into her lyrics, usually accompanied by a streak of dark humour. As she puts it, some people call her a mind reader, others call her insane, while her therapist prefers “self-aware”.

Currently studying songwriting at the Adelaide Conservatorium of Music, Zara draws from the emotionally open writing of artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Aleksiah, Gracie Abrams, Taylor Swift and Missy Higgins. However, “Toxic Ex” carries her own voice, particularly in the way it balances vulnerability with anger and sarcasm.

The song focuses on somebody who should have offered support but instead left Zara questioning almost everything about herself. Body comments, sexist expectations and accusations of being “too argumentative” or having it “all in her head” gradually begin to take their toll.

That is where the song hits hardest. “Toxic Ex” explores what happens when another person’s criticism becomes so constant that their voice starts to sound like your own. After being repeatedly told that you are the problem, it becomes difficult to separate their version of you from the person you actually are.

Rather than staying trapped in that mindset, Zara pushes back. The track captures the point where she recognises that she does not have to keep shrinking herself or playing the character somebody else created for her. Every cutting lyric becomes part of one final refusal to accept their judgement.

Biting, explosive and packed with sarcasm, “Toxic Ex” is not interested in softening the message. It speaks to anyone who has been criticised, controlled or made to feel wrong simply for being themselves.

This is not Zara Chantelle asking for approval or offering an apology. It is her taking back control of the story, turning somebody else’s damaging words into a loud, defiant anthem of her own.