Recording artist and recovery advocate Hilary Roberts returns today with her new single “Cutting Ties,” an emotional ballad about finding the courage to walk away from toxic relationships and choose self-worth, healing, and freedom. The single arrives alongside its official music video, also out today.
Following the uplifting message of her recent Never Too Late EP, “Cutting Ties” explores a more vulnerable side of Roberts’ journey. Inspired by her decision to walk away from years of abuse and toxicity within her own family, the song focuses not on anger, but on what becomes possible when someone finally chooses to protect their peace.
Roberts began writing the track with co-writer and producer Damon Sharpe shortly after the family situation that inspired it reached a breaking point. The writing process unfolded over roughly four months, allowing her to process much of the emotion behind the experience.
“‘Cutting Ties’ is for anyone who has tolerated abuse in any form for too long and has to cut ties to be free of the toxicity,” Roberts shares. “This song is about being brave and choosing self-love, self-respect, and self-protection.”
That journey takes visual form in the accompanying music video, filmed at Butterfly Mountain in Topanga Canyon, California. The location immediately resonated with Roberts because of the butterfly’s symbolism of transformation.
The video opens with Roberts restrained inside a glass dome, representing the cycle of abuse and the feeling of being trapped. From there, she moves between contrasting worlds representing toxicity and freedom before ultimately emerging in white, at peace and fully free. Butterfly imagery completes the transformation.
The shoot proved emotional not only for Roberts but for those around her, with members of the production team moved to tears as the scenes unfolded.
For Roberts, “Cutting Ties” is ultimately about more than walking away. It is about reclaiming the life, identity, and peace that can exist on the other side. The message continues the themes of healing, recovery, and resilience that have become central to both her music and her advocacy through the Red Songbird Foundation.
“Cutting Ties” is out now on all digital streaming platforms, with the official music video available today.
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