Maris

Maris Maddux-Ward, (born September 16, 1999) known mononymously as MARIS (stylized in all caps) is an American singer-songwriter.

Career

On New Year's Eve of 2014, Maris was selected as the winner of the 10th First Night Spotlight.

In March 2017, Maris participated in American Idol season 16.

In 2023, she released the album Gravity, accompanied by a short film titled Gravity: The EP: the Movie. The project was supported by tours opening for Anna of the North and The Wrecks, and appearances at Boston Calling and Missoula Pride in 2024. That same year, she opened for Melt on their U.S. tour.

In 2025, MARIS opened for Maude Latour on the Sugar Water Tour. The track was added to more than 25 Spotify editorial playlists and featured in 20 New Music Friday placements.

In June 2025, she announced her debut U.S. co-headlining tour with Kingsbury, scheduled to run from September to October 2025, with dates in cities including San Diego, Dallas, Nashville, New York, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

MARIS has cited artists including Queen, Whitney Houston, Prince, and One Direction among her influences.

Singles As lead artist Title Year Ref "BOYS" 2017 "Sick" "What He Wants" "18 Forever" 2018 "Shallow" "White Knuckles" 2019 "Elephant Skeleton" 2020 "GOING YET!" 2023 "Hot Guitar Player" "Julia Roberts" 2024 "The Fight" "Salt Water Taffy" "Chameleon" "Give Me A Sign"(featuring Caroline Kingsbury) 2025 "Mary + I" "IT'S HARD (to be a Man)" "SUPER F★CKING MEGA ST★R" "Christmas Now" "Body Is On Fire" 2026 "Missing Me" "MOSH★PIT" "Losing People"

As featured artist Title Year Ref "Jolene"(Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox feat. Maris) 2017 "Still Into You"(Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox feat. Maris) 2018 "Seven Minutes"(Honeymoon Arcade feat. Maris) 2019 "Girls Just Wanna Be Famous(er)"(Meg Smith feat. Molly Grace & MARIS) 2025

Songwriting credits Title Year Artist Album Ref "Existential Crisis" 2025 Wendy Cerulean Verge