Aria van Weye 
Message from our CEO
Dear Fans and Supporters,
I want to start by extending my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. Your unwavering support over these last few months has been a beacon of light during one of the darkest periods of my life. Knowing that you all believed in me and stood by me through the challenges has meant more to me than words can express. Your messages, your encouragement, and your loyalty have truly touched my heart, and I am profoundly grateful.
The past four months have been a tumultuous journey, driven by the unexpected need to find a new place to live and a new office space for Aria Star Media. The housing crisis in Melbourne put me in an incredibly difficult position. I received a notice to vacate my property, which initially seemed like a simple, albeit stressful, move to another city in Victoria. However, as I searched for a new home, I quickly discovered how dire the situation was—I was unable to secure any properties in the other city and faced the real prospect of homelessness. With just six days left before I would be without a home, it felt like a miracle when a property became available just a suburb over, still close to the beach (and a LOT more expensive than I was paying previously). This turn of events was nothing short of a universal blessing, providing much-needed stability during a chaotic time.
This period was marked by immense stress that took a toll on both my physical and mental health. Physically, I continue to struggle with vision loss, which is very debilitating, accompanied by migraines that were equally challenging to manage. Mentally, I found myself in a dark and painful place. The stress of the notice to vacate, combined with the pressure of running Playnova and Aria Star Media, was overwhelming. I was stretched thin, unable to perform my job effectively, and felt let down and really stressed out by the lack of support and communication from those who sought my help. Many artists who requested free publicity failed to provide the necessary information or simply ghosted me, leaving me stressed and unable to deliver the articles they wanted, as well as not being able to deliver what I promised, which crushed me. The realization that many of these connections were purely transactional, aimed at exploiting my good nature and efforts, was heartbreaking especially considering I had regarded a fair few of these people as friends.
During this difficult time, I had a depressive episode, feeling completely burnt out and used. The stress and disappointment were compounded by a new diagnosis of Autism/ADHD and severe OCD, adding to my existing struggles with Bipolar 1, General Anxiety Disorder, and PTSD. However, this diagnosis was a turning point. It allowed me to begin targeted treatment that has significantly improved my well-being. Recognizing the need for self-care, I made the tough decision to pull the plug on Playnova. This break was crucial for focusing on my move and healing, despite the immense stress I was under. Prioritizing my health and taking time to heal was one of the hardest yet most necessary steps I could have taken.
Now, as I emerge from this challenging period, I am thrilled to share that things are finally looking up. The sun is starting to shine again, and we are gearing up to bring you the latest in alt music from the Asia Pacific region. Behind the scenes, our team has been working tirelessly on our new fashion label and our Music Consultation Firm, and we are excited about the fantastic new content and articles we have planned. Your patience and support have been instrumental in this resurgence, and we cannot wait to share what we have been working on.
Again, I want to end by expressing my heartfelt thanks once more to our incredible fans and artists. Your support during this incredibly hard time has been nothing short of amazing. I was deeply moved by how many of you reached out and stood with me. Your support has been a pillar of strength, and I am eternally grateful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
With immense gratitude,
Aria van Weye
CEO, Aria Star Media