Jack Antonoff opens up about performing love songs written for Margaret Qualley after split
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jack Antonoff is opening up about performing love songs he wrote for his ex-wife, Margaret Qualley, following their separation. In a new interview with The Guardian, the musician discussed the experience while touring with his band, Bleachers.
Antonoff described performing the songs as “really beautiful,” despite their changed meaning following the end of their marriage.
Jack Antonoff on singing songs about Margaret Qualley
In a profile of Bleachers published on Sunday, October 25, Antonoff addressed the separation in an interview for the first time.
PEOPLE confirmed in July that the couple had separated after nearly three years of marriage.
Antonoff admitted that he had initially worried about performing songs he had written about their relationship following the breakup. “Songs which I wrote recently, I obviously was really worried about this specific thing,” he explained.
He continued, “I sat long and hard with it and thought, ‘If I change the setlist …’ and in my gut there was a unanimous jury that said, ‘No, this is the deal. The deal I’ve made with my audience is that I’m going to tell you honestly how I feel and I’m going to risk at any moment having to stand behind it forever.’ ”
Despite his initial concerns, Antonoff found the experience unexpectedly meaningful.
He explained that audiences could relate to the sadness and pain associated with the songs while also recognizing their emotional significance.
“It’s actually been really beautiful,” Antonoff said. “I mean, for people to come together, to know what I write a song about, to know how that must feel for me now, to know what that song means to you as an audience member, to just hold it all and sort of celebrate.”
The Grammy-winning producer explained that he had no intention of changing his setlist or distancing himself from songs written during happier moments in his relationship with Qualley.
He said he refused to rewrite his personal history or feel ashamed of what he had previously expressed through his music.
“I don’t rewrite the past, I have no shame about the things I’ve said,” Antonoff told The Guardian.
“My life has been dedicated to making it impossible for me to rewrite the past, because I’m standing there, singing about how I felt during the good times, so when the bad times hit I can’t look myself in the mirror and pretend that those times didn’t exist.”
Jack Antonoff jokes about Margaret Qualley split
Antonoff previously addressed the separation through humor during Bleachers’ five-night residency at the Troubadour in Los Angeles.
During the final show on September 15, a concertgoer requested the band’s 2017 track 'Let’s Get Married,' explaining that it was his wedding song.
According to footage shared by USA Today, Antonoff responded, “Absolutely not,” before laughing and adding, “Read the news, brother.” He subsequently clarified, “No, I love that song, and I wrote it like 11 years ago.”
Antonoff and Qualley began dating in 2021 and married in August 2023. They separated earlier this year, with the actress’ representative confirming the breakup in a statement shared with PEOPLE on July 10.
“The narratives running in the press about Margaret and Jack are categorically untrue. There are no trust issues. There was no infidelity or anything outside of respect and partnership in this relationship,” the statement read.
The representative added that the former couple had “deep love and care for one another,” while rejecting speculation from people commenting on their relationship. The statement concluded with a request for the public to respect their privacy.
