Gracie Abrams, singer-songwriter and daughter of filmmaker JJ Abrams, attracted significant public attention when she appeared alongside actor Paul Mescal at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards on 22 February 2026. Their appearance marked a notable moment for the couple, officially highlighting Abrams as Paul Mescal’s red carpet girlfriend.
Beyond the spotlight on her relationship, Abrams has established herself independently in the music industry. Her journey from a Los Angeles upbringing to becoming a Grammy-nominated artist sheds light on her evolving career and artistic identity.
Gracie Abrams’ Upbringing and Family Roots
Born on 7 September 1999 in Los Angeles, Gracie Madigan Abrams grew up in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. She is the daughter of acclaimed filmmaker JJ Abrams and producer Katie McGrath, with grandparents Gerald W. Abrams and Carol Ann Abrams also involved in film and television production. Abrams has two brothers, Henry and August, and comes from a mixed cultural heritage, with Jewish ancestry on her father’s side and Irish Catholic roots through her mother.
Her early education took place at The Archer School for Girls in West Los Angeles, where she graduated in 2018. Following this, Abrams began studying international relations at Barnard College in New York City but paused her academic path after the first year to fully commit to her music career. From a young age, she cultivated songwriting skills, inspired by her mother’s encouragement to maintain a journal. Abrams reflected on this formative habit, stating,
“I can’t imagine myself, as a kid, just randomly falling into song-writing, had I not been journaling since before I could even read my handwriting back.”
She added,
“It felt so private… I felt so amped to have discovered this sacred space in my journal.”
Progression and Milestones in Abrams’ Music Career
Gracie Abrams signed with Interscope Records in 2019, setting the stage for her emergence in the music world. She first gained widespread recognition with her 2020 debut extended play, Minor, and followed it with another EP, This Is What It Feels Like, in 2021. Her early singles, including “I Miss You” and “I’m Sorry,” began garnering attention.
Her breakthrough came in 2023 with the release of her debut album, Good Riddance, which led to a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist that same year. Abrams also featured on the remix of Noah Kahan’s “Everywhere, Everything,” marking her initial appearance on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Recognition of her rising profile included being named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2023. The following year brought her second studio album, The Secret of Us, which debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200. Singles such as “Risk,” “Close to You,” “I Love You, I’m Sorry,” and “That’s So True” were part of this release; notably, “That’s So True” reached number four on the Billboard Global 200 chart.
Collaborations with high-profile artists have further shaped her career. Abrams contributed to Taylor Swift’s track “Us,” which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. She received the American Music Award for New Artist of the Year on 26 May 2025, affirming her growing acclaim. Abrams has also supported Olivia Rodrigo as an opening act on the Sour Tour in 2022 and performed on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour from 2023 through 2024.
Distinctive Musical Style and Inspirations
Abrams’ sound encompasses multiple genres, blending elements of pop, bedroom pop, folk-pop, indie pop, and indie folk into her work. She has acknowledged a wide array of musical influences including Taylor Swift, Robyn, Joni Mitchell, Simon & Garfunkel, Elvis Costello, Bon Iver, Elliott Smith, Kate Bush, Lana Del Rey, The 1975, James Blake, Lorde, Metric, The Killers, and Phoebe Bridgers. Performing alongside artists such as Swift and Rodrigo has further enriched her artistic development and exposure.
The Public Emergence of Abrams and Paul Mescal’s Relationship
Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal, the Irish actor known for his breakthrough roles, have been in a relationship since 2024. The couple made their first official red carpet appearance together at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, confirming their status in the public eye as a notable pair.
Before her relationship with Mescal, Abrams was involved romantically with songwriter and producer Blake Slatkin from 2017 until 2022, highlighting a period of personal growth prior to her current partnership.
Their public debut at a major event such as the BAFTAs not only draws fan and media interest but also signals a new phase in their personal and professional lives, with growing conversations around their influence both in entertainment and popular culture.
