Gracie Abrams feared relationship with Paul Mescal would impact her creativity
The singer described her relationship with Paul Mescal as stable, supportive and inspiring
Gracie Abrams has revealed that finding happiness in her relationship with Paul Mescal initially left her concerned about the future of her music career.
The 26-year-old singer admitted she feared that being in a “secure and stable” relationship with the Hamnet actor would diminish the emotional fuel that had long inspired her songwriting.
Speaking to Vogue, Abrams reflected on the period following the release of her 2024 album The Secret of Us, explaining that she felt creatively drained and uncertain about what stories she still had left to tell.
“I felt talked out,” she said. “I was worried feeling secure and stable was threatening my drive to write music. It freaked me out.”
The singer, whose previous work often drew from heartbreak, uncertainty, and complicated relationships, said the shift toward a healthier and more settled personal life initially raised concerns about her creative process.
However, Abrams credited longtime collaborator Aaron Dessner with helping her embrace a new perspective on songwriting.
“I have learned from Aaron that it's okay to mine deeper and refine what you are naturally inclined to do, even if that looks less shiny and new on the outside,” she said.
Abrams and Mescal have been dating for around two years and have largely kept their relationship out of the spotlight.
During the actor’s work on Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao, Abrams spent significant time in London and enjoyed watching him immerse himself in the project.
She described the experience of being close to someone deeply engaged in creative work as inspiring.
“It feels like every day you come home and read the greatest book ever,” she said. “That's what it's like to be in conversation with someone making something like that.”
Abrams also spoke warmly about the quieter lifestyle she shares with Mescal, describing it as a welcome contrast to the fast-paced years that accompanied her rapid rise in the music industry.
While she remains passionate about her career, the singer said she also values time with loved ones and hopes to build a family in the future.
“I want consistent time to be with my people,” she said. “I want to be a mom, eventually.”
Looking ahead, Abrams is open to expanding her creative horizons beyond music. She said she would consider taking on more film projects or even challenging herself with a role in theatre.
Reflecting on her long-term ambitions, the singer said she hopes to live a life filled with meaningful experiences and creative risks.
“I want to be able to look back and be like, ‘I did that weird thing,’” she said. “I want a full life.”
