ADÉLA has finally addressed one of the biggest fan theories surrounding her breakout single “Ain’t In LA.” After weeks of listeners comparing the track to Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop,” the singer confirmed that the similarity isn’t just a coincidence—the same vocalist appears on both songs.
In a recent video shared online, ADÉLA revealed the connection with a playful tease, telling fans: “Wait till y’all find out it’s the same guy rapping on both of them.”
The vocalist she was referring to is Theron Thomas, the songwriter, producer and artist whose distinctive vocals became an unforgettable part of Miley Cyrus’ 2013 smash. His ad-libs and vocal contributions helped shape the rebellious energy of “We Can’t Stop,” and more than a decade later, he lends that same unmistakable tone to ADÉLA’s latest single.
The revelation helps explain why “Ain’t In LA” immediately sparked nostalgia across social media following its July 23 release. From its opening seconds, the new song evokes the carefree attitude and bass-heavy production that defined Miley’s Bangerz era, leading countless fans to wonder whether it sampled or interpolated “We Can’t Stop.”
The answer remains no. Official songwriting and production credits contain no sample or interpolation credits tied to Miley’s hit. Instead, the resemblance stems from shared creative DNA, now made even clearer by Thomas’ involvement. Rather than recycling melodies or lyrics, “Ain’t In LA” channels the spirit of a defining pop era while building an entirely original record around it.
Beyond the nostalgic production, the single carries a personal message. Instead of portraying Los Angeles as the only place where dreams come true, ADÉLA celebrates young women chasing success from outside the entertainment industry’s traditional centers. The concept was inspired by photographs she discovered during a visit to Slovakia, where she found images of her mother surrounded by posters of Western pop stars that had been secretly brought into the country decades earlier.
“My grandfather smuggled the posters in from Germany,” ADÉLA explained when announcing the song. “It made me think, ‘There are so many beautiful girls with dreams who will never get their flowers like my mom’. I wrote this for her and the billion other b****es who are probably cooler than me.”
The track has quickly become the biggest hit of her career. “Ain’t In LA” surpassed 1 million Spotify streams during its first 24 hours, climbed to No. 64 on the Daily Global Spotify Chart, and is currently aiming for a Billboard Hot 100 debut. It also serves as the latest preview of PRIMA, ADÉLA’s debut album, arriving September 4 via Capitol Records.
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