Some breakups continue to take shape long after the relationship itself has ended. For Jordan Anthony, that realization came through an unexpected encounter with an ex nearly a year later—an experience that became the starting point for his forthcoming single, “Missing Me.”

Out June 26, the Australian-born, Nashville-based pop artist draws from the complicated emotions that followed that brief reunion. Seeing someone again after so much time had passed brought old feelings into sharper focus, along with questions that did not come with easy answers. Rather than trying to resolve them, Anthony lets “Missing Me” live in that uncertainty, turning it into a soaring pop track that pairs vulnerable storytelling with polished production and a chorus built for full-volume release.

The single also introduces the emotional world of Anthony’s forthcoming debut EP, which traces his first two years living in the United States. Written in Nashville alongside Todd Tran, Joe Tounge, and Chase Cimala, “Missing Me” continues the focused pop direction heard across recent releases including “Lost in LA,” “Existing” with Chloé Caroline, and “Wrong Impression.” Together, those songs explore distance, heartbreak, homesickness, ambition, and the complicated work of building a new life far from home.

That sense of change has shaped Anthony’s career as much as his songwriting. After becoming a finalist on The Voice Australia in 2019, he represented Australia at Junior Eurovision before reaching the Top 14 on American Idol in 2024. Since relocating to the U.S., he has earned more than one million streams, appeared on several Spotify editorial playlists, performed throughout Los Angeles and beyond, and continued growing a community of listeners known as the Jam Fam.

Now, Anthony is turning the uncertainty of those early American years into his most personal body of work yet. With “Missing Me,” he makes room for the feelings that can linger after a relationship ends, carrying them through the kind of enormous melody that refuses to let them stay buried.

You’ve shared that “Missing Me” began with an unexpected encounter with an ex nearly a year after your relationship ended. What stayed with you most strongly about that night once you had time to process it?

Jordan Anthony: Well, this was the first time I had seen my ex was literally since the night we broke up it had been almost a year and so I think to me the craziest part about it was just how strange it is the concept of literally being someone's everything for such a long time and then in an instant she has a potential to be gone in a second. So for me, it just felt really bizarre in a way, seeing her and the way that she pretended that I didn't exist.

You initially read her reaction as unaffected, then later learned that she had fallen apart after you left. How did discovering that change your understanding of the relationship and its ending?

Jordan Anthony: It was strange. I was definitely at a crossroads emotionally at that point. I was definitely over the relationship, but I'd like to think that I'm a sympathetic person, and so part of me definitely felt a little bit for her because I never really wanted things to end badly. I really believe in being civil with people. At the end of the day, we still shared a lot together. I didn't find it weird that she wore a mask in a sense when we saw each other.

The song explores the distance between what someone presents outwardly and what they may still feel underneath. Were you also examining the ways you had concealed your own emotions after the breakup?

Jordan Anthony: Absolutely. I think the reason why I love this song so much is because it explores both sides of things, especially in the first verse, explaining that we're both kind of hiding the way we truly feel, so it very much went both ways in a sense. A lot of breakup songs I find are either one side or the other, and it was really important to us that this song explored both sides of the breakup and the way we felt in that specific moment.

You wrote the track in Nashville with Todd Tran, Joe Tounge, and Chase Cimala. What happened during that session that made you recognize the song as a defining piece of your next chapter?

Jordan Anthony: To be completely honest, it was something completely intangible in that room that day. We really knew that there was something special in this song and felt it was monumental for my own music career and what the next chapter would be sonically. The craziest part is that it was actually my first time writing with Joe and Chase, so you have hit on this song in our first session together was really special. Love those boys a lot.

Your forthcoming debut EP draws from your first two years living in the United States. Which parts of that transition have been the most important—or difficult—to translate into music?

Jordan Anthony: I think the most difficult part is translating my struggles emotionally towards the industry and not feeling like I'm where I want to be in my career. Writing personal songs like that, that aren't about relationships can be really difficult because it treads a fine line of being heartfelt and being cliché, and there is also an element of it that you don't want to be too specific because you still want people to be able to resonate with what you're saying and the subject of what you're singing about so I feel like that's the hardest part; but the reason why I'm so excited about my EP is because it has songs on there that I'm really proud of that touch on that concept.

Songs such as “Lost in LA,” “Existing,” and “Wrong Impression” have introduced a more refined side of your artistry. How has your approach to songwriting and production evolved across these releases?

Jordan Anthony: Thank you so much for saying that, that means a lot. I think my songwriting process has naturally evolved and improves because of the collaborators that I'm lucky enough to work with I feel like every session I step into I'm a complete sponge and I'm just soaking up as much as I can and learning from these other people and writers that are so experienced and incredible.

You have experienced major televised competitions in Australia and the U.S., including The Voice Australia, Junior Eurovision, and American Idol. What have you had to unlearn since stepping beyond those environments and defining yourself independently?

Jordan Anthony: The biggest lesson you've learned from those shows or should I say the thing I've had to unlearn is the concept of thinking that these shows are going to make you into a star and change your life overnight—don't get me wrong they are incredible platforms but as soon as the cameras turn off, it is up to you How you transform and build your career in this industry.

You’re also gearing up to release your debut EP, marking an exciting new chapter in your career. What do you hope listeners understand about who you were when you moved to the U.S. two years ago and the artist you have become since?

Jordan Anthony: I want people to feel less alone in doing things that are scary and outside of their comfort zone—the stories that I’m sharing in this EP are so deeply personal to me, but at the same time on universal subjects of chasing dreams, resilience, and becoming who you wanna be in your life, so I just really hope people feel that.