Mod Sun Finds Clarity and Growth After High-Profile Split with Avril Lavigne

Imagine standing on stage, the crowd singing along to your biggest hit, a song you poured your heart into. Now, imagine that song is a duet with your ex-fiancée, a person you were deeply in love with, and the relationship ended publicly and, for you, quite abruptly. This was the reality for musician Mod Sun, real name Derek Smith, following his high-profile breakup with pop-punk icon Avril Lavigne in early 2023.

TL;DR

• Mod Sun recently spoke on the Dumb Blonde podcast, reflecting on his engagement and breakup with Avril Lavigne, calling it a period of intense personal change.
• He revealed that while they were "two different people," both artists profoundly influenced each other's growth, especially his own journey towards self-security.
• Mod Sun now approaches the past with empathy, embracing a mindset of "all love" rather than holding onto resentment, even after performing their hit duet "Flames" on tour.

Navigating the Aftermath of a High-Profile Romance and Public Split

In a candid conversation on Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast, recorded in June 2024 and gaining traction in early November 2025, Mod Sun peeled back the layers of his experience. He didn't shy away from the pain, but rather focused on the transformative power of the ordeal. His reflections offer a powerful narrative of healing, self-discovery, and the challenging yet rewarding path to empathy.

This journey wasn't just about moving on from a relationship; it was about moving deeper into himself. The public nature of their romance, and its eventual dissolution, forced Mod Sun into a period of introspection that he now views as crucial to his personal development. It’s a relatable struggle, even without the spotlight: how do you find yourself again after being so intertwined with another?

A Whirlwind Romance Born in the Studio and Sealed in Paris

Their story began like many modern musical romances: in the studio. Mod Sun and Avril Lavigne first crossed paths in early 2021 while collaborating on new music. Their creative chemistry quickly blossomed into something more, and their joint single, "Flames," dropped just weeks later in January 2021. This wasn't just a hit song; it was the soundtrack to their burgeoning relationship. Source: [Billboard, "Mod Sun Is Reflecting on His High-Profile Engagement to Avril Lavigne," November 8, 2025]

The couple "dove in really fast," as Mod described it. The whirlwind romance led to a romantic proposal in Paris in April 2022, signaling what seemed like a fairy tale ending for the pop-punk duo. Mod Sun had found someone who understood his artistic spirit, and together, they seemed unstoppable. However, less than a year later, in February 2023, the engagement was called off, reportedly blindsiding Mod Sun.

Avril Lavigne remained publicly silent on the split, while Mod began a public journey of processing and healing. The suddenness of the breakup, especially after such a public display of commitment, left many fans wondering what transpired behind the scenes. For Mod, it was the start of an unexpected, intense period of personal reckoning.

From "F That Person" to "It's All Love" After Heartbreak

Mod Sun’s journey through the breakup wasn't a straight line to serenity. He admitted that his feelings have significantly evolved over time. "If we had done this talk three months ago, I might've been like, 'F that person. I hope she hears this,'" he confessed on the podcast. This raw honesty reveals the initial sting and resentment that can accompany such a public and personal disappointment.

The pain was so tangible that he even released a breakup track, "Strangers," in July 2023, featuring lyrics detailing the rise and fall of their relationship. The Paris-shot music video, filmed in the same city where he proposed, added further emotional weight. It was a creative outlet for his hurt, a way to channel the sting into something tangible.

“We’re two different people, but I think I had a great influence on her. I think she couldn’t have had a more wonderful influence on me from the side of [helping me] grow up. Like now, I’m very secure of who I am, because I’ve been lost in the last three years of wondering, ‘Where do I fit in?’”

— Mod Sun, on Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde Podcast

However, time and intentional effort have brought a profound shift. "But I'm now just like, 'If I run into you? It's all love. I hope you're well.'" This pivot from anger to acceptance showcases a remarkable personal transformation, highlighting the conscious work he put into his mental and spiritual health. It's a testament to the idea that healing isn't about forgetting, but about reframing the narrative and finding peace within it.

Embracing the Uncomfortable Road to Deeper Empathy

One of the most significant takeaways from Mod Sun's reflections is his newfound commitment to empathy. He emphasized developing a mindset beyond seeking revenge or harboring bitterness. "When someone does you wrong, stop thinking, 'You did me dirty, and I'm out for revenge.' Step in their position," he urged. This isn't an easy feat, especially when you feel wronged, but it's a powerful tool for personal liberation.

For example, imagine a scenario where a friend makes a decision that deeply disappoints you, causing a rift. Your gut reaction might be to blame them entirely and sever ties. But Mod Sun's advice encourages you to pause and consider what might have led to their choice – perhaps they were under immense pressure, or facing personal struggles you weren't aware of. This doesn't mean you have to excuse their actions or tolerate harmful behavior, but it allows for a more nuanced understanding, shifting your internal narrative from victimhood to compassionate insight.

He actively practices this, stating, "I pray every single day, and in those prayers, I'm like, 'Just allow me to lead with empathy and be a shining light.'" This spiritual practice underscores the depth of his commitment to this new perspective, turning a personal loss into a catalyst for profound inner change. Source: [E! News, "Avril Lavigne's Ex-Fiancé Mod Sun Details Their 'Brutal' Split," November 7, 2025]

The Unforeseen Challenge of Performing a Breakup Song on Tour

While Mod Sun is clearly in a place of growth, the path wasn't without its unique challenges. He revealed that "Flames," his duet with Avril, was actually his biggest hit. This created a peculiar tradeoff: continuing to perform the song on tour meant reliving the early stages of a relationship that had since crumbled. It was "tough to play — and even harder to hear," he admitted. Source: [TMZ, "Mod Sun Opens Up About Split With Ex-Fiancée Avril Lavigne," November 7, 2025]

This public performance of a private heartbreak offers a compelling limitation to the healing process. While introspection in private is one thing, consistently re-enacting the joyful beginning of a relationship that ended in pain could easily stall emotional recovery. Yet, Mod Sun pushed through, using these difficult performances as a form of catharsis, demonstrating resilience by transforming potential emotional wreckage into a public declaration of his journey forward. It's a unique burden of being a public figure whose art is so deeply intertwined with their personal life.

Avril's Silence and Mod Sun's New Chapter of Personal Healing

Throughout Mod Sun's public reflections, Avril Lavigne has maintained her privacy, never publicly addressing the split. This difference in approach highlights the varied ways individuals cope with the end of a relationship, especially when under public scrutiny. Following their breakup, Lavigne was briefly linked to rapper Tyga in March 2023, though that relationship also ended a few months later.

Mod Sun, meanwhile, channeled his experiences into his art and focused heavily on his tour and healing. He found solace in the connection with his fans, writing on Instagram shortly after the breakup, "Being surrounded by love every night on tour has been an absolute blessing. I just know there's a plan for it all." This perspective underscores his belief in a larger, guiding force at play, helping him navigate through the toughest moments. His journey is a powerful reminder that even after significant emotional setbacks, profound personal growth is always possible.

Practical Takeaways from Mod Sun's Journey

• Embrace Empathy: When facing difficult personal situations, try to consider perspectives beyond your own. This can diffuse anger and foster understanding.
• Prioritize Personal Growth: View challenging experiences not as setbacks, but as opportunities for self-reflection and developing a stronger sense of self and security.
• Seek Healing Outlets: Whether through art, honest conversation, or spiritual practice, find ways to process emotions in a healthy, constructive manner.
• Accept the Evolving Nature of Feelings: It's okay for initial anger or hurt to transform into acceptance and well wishes over time. Healing is a journey, not a fixed point.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered When did Mod Sun and Avril Lavigne get engaged and when did they split? They got engaged in Paris in April 2022 and called off their engagement in February 2023. Where did Mod Sun share these recent reflections? He shared his thoughts on Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast. The clip, recorded in June 2024, was posted around early November 2025. Has Avril Lavigne publicly commented on the breakup? No, Avril Lavigne has remained publicly silent regarding the split. Did Mod Sun release music about the breakup? Yes, he released a breakup track titled "Strangers" in July 2023, featuring lyrics about their relationship and a music video filmed in Paris, the city of their engagement. He also had to continue performing "Flames," their duet, which was his biggest hit. Sources

• Billboard, "Mod Sun Is Reflecting on His High-Profile Engagement to Avril Lavigne," November 8, 2025
• E! News, "Avril Lavigne's Ex-Fiancé Mod Sun Details Their 'Brutal' Split," November 7, 2025
• News18, "Mod Sun Opens Up About Split With Ex-Fiancé Avril Lavigne, Says ‘We Are Two Different People’," November 8, 2025
• TMZ, "Mod Sun Opens Up About Split With Ex-Fiancée Avril Lavigne," November 7, 2025
• Just Jared, "Avril Lavigne's Ex-Fiancé Mod Sun Details Their 'Brutal' Split," November 7, 2025