Carly Pearce has recently shared her candid reflections on filming the music video for her new duet with fellow country star Riley Green, titled “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay.” The video, released in March, portrays the two as a romantic couple struggling with their feelings for one another, and Pearce has opened up about the initial awkwardness that came with filming intimate scenes alongside a close friend.
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In a light-hearted interview with Absolute Country Radio, the 36-year-old singer confessed to feeling somewhat uneasy during the shoot, especially given the nature of the scenes they were filming. “If someone was going to be in a music video like that with Riley Green, I said, why not sacrifice myself and do it?” Pearce joked, highlighting her willingness to embrace the challenge.
Pearce and Green, who are both 37, kicked off filming with a particularly close scene, where their faces are inches apart while they sing to each other. Reflecting on this awkward moment, Pearce admitted, “Honestly, our first scene… it was like noon on a Tuesday. And they were like, ‘Alright, we’re going to start with this.’ I thought I needed a bottle of champagne right now.”
As she explained the dynamics of filming, Pearce added, “For about 30 seconds, it felt so strange. How are we ever going to do this? I think his moustache touched my lip, like, oh my god… I mean, I felt the ‘stache.” Fortunately, the tension dissipated quickly, and she concluded, “After that, it was oddly totally fine. We were laughing and having a good time.” Pearce revealed that she did indeed finish the day with a bottle of champagne, which likely eased her nerves and made the experience more enjoyable.
The playful moments from the shoot were not lost on Pearce, who expressed that there were times during filming when they couldn’t help but laugh together. “I think there were only two moments where we literally lost it laughing,” she recalled, highlighting the camaraderie they shared throughout the day.
Since its release, “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay” has resonated well with fans, garnering over 1.2 million views on its music video. The song has also charted impressively, making its way into the top 40 on both the Billboard U.S. Country Airplay and U.S. Hot Country Songs charts. Pearce’s enthusiasm for the project shines through, as she remarked, “I knew I had lightning in a bottle when I was going to reveal him sitting next to me,” indicating the strong chemistry they shared on screen.
In her personal life, Pearce is in a happy relationship with entrepreneur Jordan Karcher. The couple recently celebrated a year together, a milestone Karcher marked with a heartfelt Instagram post. “Well damn, that year sure went fast! We should do it again @carlypearce…” he wrote, to which Pearce playfully responded, “And again and again and again!”
Carly Pearce continues to build on her success in the country music scene, and her collaboration with Riley Green only solidifies her presence as a dynamic artist. With their playful banter and undeniable chemistry showcased in the music video, fans are eager to see what the future holds for both artists. As they navigate their respective careers and personal lives, it’s clear that Pearce’s ability to laugh at herself while embracing vulnerability will only serve to endear her further to fans across the globe.