Cody Simpson, Gigi Hadid Breakup Leads to O.A.R. Marc Roberge ‘Reach Up’ Song, Special Olympics [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

Cody Simpson might have recently gone through a breakup with ex-girlfriend Gigi Hadid, but it seems the Australian singer is moving onward and teaming up with lead singer of O.A.R., Marc Roberge. Together, the duo have joined with the Special Olympics and the likes of two-time gold medal-winning Special Olympics star Breanna Bogucki as well as Madison Tevlin to create a theme song of sorts for the 2015 World Games.

"Reach Up," a rework of O.A.R.'s "Two Hands Up," features the quartet singing together in an inspirational fashion that is set to help others go for, well, the gold in life and try to make something they dream of so dearly come true.

MStars News recently spoke with all four of the song/video stars about the Olympic games, the song and what it was like working with one another for the first time.

MStars News: Marc, what was it about this project that made you want to get involved?
Marc Roberge: I received a phone call from the team of Coca Cola Special Olympics. They had an idea based on the symbol of the World Games. You see someone reaching up as a champion, and they wanted to put that to music. Somehow get this message into a song, make it an anthem, and get it out there. I instantly got inspired to write something from the heart.

So, I started reflecting on all of the people that passed through in my life that I'd known, who had "disabilities" and the simple fact of the matter was there was nothing disabled about them. There was only shining brightness, only ability, and every single person I've known has inspired me along the way to be better. So I used that to write the song. And it was okay, [but when we got] in the studio, it actually became a song.

Me and Cody were sitting there, working, collaborating and trying to make this thing sound like something. Then [Breanna and Madison] came in and started singing. And as we just observed two people put their heart and soul into something they'd truly believed in, and laughed and smiled the whole way, I think we learned a lesson of that's how we wanna work.

I don't go into the studio anymore with a frown, I don't go in there anymore and think of it as a tough thing to do. It's an "I get to" thing. And that's because of these two.

 That's a good dude right there. I'm a fan. @codysimpson

A photo posted by Marc Roberge (@marcroberge) on Apr 14, 2015 at 7:16pm PDT

MS: I think a lot of your lyrics are very uplifting as well. You were sort of the perfect person for this.
MR: That's nice of you to say. I sing a lot of those songs for myself. I'm not out there trying to tell other people how to feel because that's pretty annoying, you know? I'm just talking to myself. All of us have been through life, and in the beginning nothing traumatic had ever happened, and the second I ran into some issues in life and the second real things start to happen, I sing about them.

I'm telling myself over and over to get through, and the sad songs become happy because that's how I see it all ending up. I'm not preaching to anybody, telling them what to do. I'm just talking to myself.

MS: Cody, what about you? Why did you want to get involved?
Cody Simpson: Funny story, Marc and I had dinner a couple weeks before the opportunity came about. I talked to him about doing some collaborative stuff, just talking about music and all that. And when Marc came to me with Coke and with the Special Olympics, it was such an amazing opportunity. I jumped right on it and we started talking about it. We all met up in LA, and I met Madison and Breanna and was just extremely inspired by the whole process. It's just been an awesome ride.

MS: And now you have a new album coming out so this, combined with the new album, is a very exciting time.
CS: Yeah, for sure. There's a lot going on right now and this is a nice balance of everything.

MS: Breanna, first, congratulations because you won two gold medals! What was it like recording with everybody?
Breanna Bogucki: I'm blessed and I'm honored to work with Madison, Cody, and Marc. I mean, this experience is amazing and I felt that I'm lucky enough to work with all of them. They're all just so amazing to work with. I just am really happy I get to and to be a part of the Special Olympics. I love to sing and I love collaborating with people, with music.

MS: Madison, what did this whole experience with "Reach Up" mean to you?
Madison Tevlin: Well, I just want to inspire everyone else out there and, just go for your dreams. Work hard and go for your dreams. Make dreams come true for yourself.

Me and my new buddies working on something very cool and exciting for #REACHUPCOKE A photo posted by Marc Roberge (@marcroberge) on Apr 13, 2015 at 6:22pm PDT

MS: I think that's wonderful. My last question for all of you: What did you guys learn from this process?
CS: Good question. I feel like the whole thing definitely created somewhat of a new perspective for me on life. It has taught me that it's important to enjoy the day. I think, and I'm a victim of it, we get caught up thinking about 'Oh, I'll be happy once I'm there.' Whereas, that "there" is pretty non-existent at the end of the day. Once you're there you don't actually realize it and you want to be somewhere else. It's important to be happy today and be patient today.

MR: I agree with Cody, it's the same thing. Yesterday, [Cody] mentioned something about watching Madison and Bre perform, it reminded us to be present. And that stuck with me and that will stick me for a long time. It's just easier said than done, but when I'm around them I feel it. I really feel like my head is in the game. I'm not in the clouds; yeah, I spent a majority of my life in the clouds [laughs] and I've learned a lot.

BB: Same. I've learned teamwork and I've learned to just be thankful with whatever you get. I'm really thankful to work with all of them because they're all so talented, and unique. I don't know, they're just all so cool and I love working with all of them. I guess, yeah, to be in the present, it's being happy with what you get.

MT: Well, for me- well, first of all, I love you guys a lot [laughs]. And second of all, I'm just honored to be working with you guys. I'm really thankful for everything that happened.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE "REACH UP" VIDEO BELOW

Cody Simpson will be opening the World Games this coming July 25 alongside Stevie Wonder and Avril Lavigne.