Sumner Stroh says the Adam Levine controversy that made her name known around the world was an “absolute sh*tstorm” and one of the most traumatic periods of her life.
The Texas-born singer and influencer went viral in September 2022 after alleging that she had been involved with the married Maroon 5 frontman for approximately a year.
Nearly four years later, Stroh told the Daily Mail that she has had time to examine her decisions and accept responsibility for the pain surrounding the public disclosure.
The 26-year-old is also attempting to establish herself as a recording artist. Her latest single, “Miss America,” follows three earlier releases and begins what she has promoted as a new, more authentic stage of her music career.
Stroh Says the Scandal Turned Her Life Upside Down
Stroh described the attention surrounding the allegations as an “absolute sh*tstorm” and said the experience was deeply traumatic. Before September 2022, she was known primarily to her social-media followers and had not experienced scrutiny on that scale. Her original TikTok opened with the claim that she had been involved with “a man who’s married to a Victoria’s Secret model.”
Stroh then identified Levine and displayed screenshots of messages she alleged came from his verified Instagram account. “At the time, I was young, I was naive,” she said in the video. “And, I mean, quite frankly, I feel exploited.” Stroh claimed the relationship lasted approximately a year and said they had stopped communicating for several months before Levine allegedly contacted her again.
One screenshot appeared to show him asking whether she would be comfortable with him naming his unborn child Sumner if the baby were a boy. Stroh said she had shared the messages privately with someone she trusted and decided to publish the TikTok after learning that the screenshots might be sold to a tabloid.
The video generated millions of views, widespread criticism and memes based on the alleged messages. Stroh faced questions about why she became involved with a married man and why her first explanation focused heavily on feeling young, manipulated and exploited.
She Apologized to Behati Prinsloo and Her Children
Stroh posted a second video after the original allegations spread, saying Levine had led her to believe that his marriage was ending and being kept private to avoid negative publicity. She claimed she ended the alleged relationship after learning that he and Prinsloo were not separating.
She also acknowledged that believing that explanation did not eliminate her own responsibility. “Being naive is not an excuse for what I did and the role I played in this,” Stroh said. “In no way was I trying to gain sympathy, and I fully realize I’m not the victim in this.”
Stroh identified Prinsloo and the couple’s children as the people harmed by the situation. “I’m not the one who’s really getting hurt here,” she said. “It’s Behati and her children. And for that, I’m so, so sorry.” Levine denied Stroh’s allegation of a physical affair in a statement published the following day. “I used poor judgment in speaking with anyone other than my wife in ANY kind of flirtatious manner,” he wrote, according to Vanity Fair.
“I did not have an affair, nevertheless, I crossed the line during a regrettable period in my life,” Levine continued. He said some exchanges had become inappropriate and that he had taken steps to address the situation with his family. Prinsloo gave birth to the couple’s third child, a son, in January 2023. She and Levine remain married and have continued appearing publicly together.
Music Became Stroh’s Route Back Into the Public Eye
@sumnerstroh thanks for being the catalyst of change & literally NOTHING ELSE. Miss America!!!!!! 🇺🇸Out now!!!!!🎶 #behindthescenes #behindthesong #songwriter #teamusa #dancepop ♬ original sound – Sumner Stroh
Stroh released her debut single, “Love to Hate,” in April 2023. She wrote in the song’s YouTube description that it contained what she had wanted to say about the controversy and the public shaming that followed her original TikTok. She followed the track with “Her” in 2024 and “OMG!” in February 2025.
Stroh writes her lyrics and vocal melodies and has worked with producer MUZA. Her newer material combines pop hooks with hip-hop-influenced drums, bass, electronic production and experimental synths. Her Spotify biography says she is also documenting the creative process through a YouTube series beginning with “Miss America.”
‘Miss America’ Starts Her Latest Musical Push
@sumnerstroh #missamerica is out now!!! #patriotic #dancepop #usaanthem ♬ Miss America – Sumner Stroh
Stroh has described “Miss America” as the beginning of her boldest and most authentic work. “Miss America” was released independently on June 30, 2026. The three-minute-and-30-second single has been promoted with patriotic visuals, boxing-inspired styling and references to the World Cup and the United States’ 250th anniversary.
One behind-the-scenes post included an apparent reference to the controversy without naming Levine. “Thanks for being the catalyst of change & literally NOTHING ELSE,” Stroh wrote while promoting the single.