Singer Gracie Abrams has said she co-wrote a song with her boyfriend, Normal People star, Paul Mescal, for her upcoming album.
The 26-year-old, known for That’s So True and Close To You, revealed she penned the track Imaginary Friend with the Irish actor, 30, for her third studio album, Daughter From Hell.
Abrams said the writing process was not a “groundbreaking event” for the couple, adding that it was “so fun to write together”.
However she is aware that it may invite a level of scrutiny into her relationship – something she has tried to keep separate from her music.
Speaking on the New York Times podcast Popcast, she said: “We have a very creative home with friends who are so good at what they do, and everyone feels happy to share that with one another.”
When asked about the potential criticism that might come with it, she added:”I don’t like the feeling of hiding. I also love privacy where it feels like the right thing.
“I always like try to assume the absolute worst case scenario of everything, and then anything else is like pleasant.
“I also think if you know how happy your experience was making something, or how much you learned about yourself or your partner, or whatever the thing is, no amount of hate or trolling could take that away.
“I think that’s a part of my life that brings me so much peace and joy and I’m not going to pretend like that’s not true, but I also think it’s not like an open door policy.”
Abrams’ new album is due to be released in July and follows on from her number one 2024 record, The Story Of Us.
The singer, who is also the daughter of Star Wars filmmaker JJ Abrams and producer Katie McGrath, added that she being called a nepo baby is appropriate as she grew up with a “safety net” that allowed her to pursue her music career.
She said: “I think about the privilege there and it’s like, I had a safety net and that allowed me the ability to experiment and to concentrate and I had the gift of time to dedicate to doing this thing I loved.
“I wasn’t growing up afraid financially and that’s the biggest deal. And then the specific household that I was born into, there is just this vocabulary that I’m so lucky to grow up with.
“So like, when I see people pointing that out, it’s like, I get it hardcore.
She went on to describe how she understands the “tone of the internet”, and despite the online criticism feels supported at her shows.
She said: “I’m fascinated these days, there’s just like abject cruelty floating. And I think when people decide to kind of cash in on that, I worry for their hearts.
“I feel very lucky. I feel support when I’m playing a show, or when I’m with my friends.
“I have a suspicion that people who either enjoy or just spend their time that way on the internet, the likelihood of them not getting support elsewhere is quite high.”
