Sara Bareilles says touring with Maroon 5 included a “crazy” moment when she first saw cocaine, while also looking back on the band’s support. She tied the story to her new album “Good Grief,” her first in seven years, shaped by grief during the Covid-19 pande
Sara Bareilles didn’t sugarcoat what life was like on the road with Maroon 5.
In a clip from a recent Rolling Stone interview shared to TikTok on Friday. July 3. the singer—now 46—described touring with the band as “crazy. ” saying the experience included a moment she never expected to witness. “Oh my god, it was crazy. It was crazy,” she said. “I saw cocaine for the first time. Like. went to use the bathroom at a party and there was a little — this [does] not even belong to the band. this was one of those things where we’re out and about.”.
Bareilles said her reaction was disbelief. “I was like, ‘Oh my god, that’s cocaine.’ Couldn’t believe it. Still never done cocaine, guys. I don’t do drugs. Except with therapists.”
The comments landed in a broader look at her relationship with Maroon 5—one rooted in timing. friendship. and the way touring can reshape an artist’s confidence. Bareilles is a UCLA alum who attended the school at the same time as Maroon 5 members Ryan Dusick and Mickey Madden. The band also consists of lead singer Adam Levine, PJ Morton, James Valentine, Nate Morton, James Carmichael and Matt Flynn.
She later detailed how the band made her feel supported on tour. “Oh my god. those boys were so wonderful to us. ” she said. adding that they felt like “big brothers.” Bareilles told viewers. “They were so generous and so kind and they were. felt like big brothers. They took me on the road, our band, they took us under their wing, they shared everything they had.”.
Her memories weren’t only about backstage kindness. She also talked about the energy of their fan base. saying she couldn’t get over seeing “all the girls” and describing what she called a real-life moment she first assumed was just a trope. “There was a lot of, like, literally throwing underwear,” she said. “I thought it was, like, a trope that happened, but it’s real. They just throw their underwear. and I’m like. ‘Did you bring two pairs?’ is the first thing I think about. because if you’re wearing a skirt and you sit down on a surface your vagina is touching the chair. So, this is where my mind goes.”.
Those touring moments connect to a longer history of collaboration between Bareilles and Maroon 5. After establishing their careers. she toured with the band multiple occasions. including the band’s 2008 “It Won’t Be Soon Before Long Tour” and their 2012 “Hands All Over Tour.” In a January 2014 interview with CBS News. Bareilles said the group helped change the trajectory of her singing career. telling the outlet. “Those boys changed the trajectory of my life in a big way. ” adding. “And yeah. I’m forever grateful.”.
The road stories also fit into the emotional center of her recent music. Alongside her on- and off-stage connection with Maroon 5. Bareilles discussed the release of her new album. “Good Grief. ” described in the interview coverage as her first in seven years. The project focuses on her depression and feelings of grief during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I realized that grief must be witness. You must share it. It doesn’t heal on its own,” she said. “And the recognition that is born from taking the time to share and unpack and just see each other in your grief is the thing that actually transforms and transmutes.”
Bareilles continued, “Of course, I wish my friends were still here, but I am a different person because of losing them and loving them. And I am more of who I think I’m meant to be become because of it. So it’s wild. Grief is a miracle. It’s just love. It’s so beautiful.”
Sara Bareilles Maroon 5 Rolling Stone TikTok cocaine “Good Grief” UCLA Adam Levine Ryan Dusick Mickey Madden 2008 It Won’t Be Soon Before Long Tour 2012 Hands All Over Tour Covid-19 grief depression