Jack Antonoff, the acclaimed musician and songwriter, has opened up about his recent split from actress Margaret Qualley, which has led him to reconsider his song “Let’s Get Married.” Written in 2016, the track was released as part of his band Bleachers’ 2017 album, yet Antonoff’s thoughts on the song took a humorous turn during a recent performance in Los Angeles.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Jack-Antonoff-Margaret-Qualley-091626-a8038711b1124c5e9ef1b8e299a5415b.jpg)
At a concert held at the Troubadour on 15 September, a fan shouted out a request for “Let’s Get Married,” referring to it as their wedding song. However, Antonoff met the request with laughter, saying, “Absolutely not,” before quipping, “Read the news, brother.” His reaction highlighted the change in context following his separation from Qualley, whom he wed in August 2023.
The couple’s relationship had garnered considerable media attention since they began dating in 2021. However, reports confirmed their separation earlier this year, after nearly three years together. A representative for Qualley stated that the decision to part ways was mutual and devoid of contentious issues, emphasizing, “There are no trust issues. There was no infidelity or anything outside of respect and partnership in this relationship.”
Qualley’s spokesman underscored the couple’s continued affection for one another, urging respect for their privacy amid speculation regarding their breakup. The statement reflected the deep bond they once shared, noting, “They have deep love and care for one another. There are only two people in this marriage, and the sources who are talking to the press and commenting on their relationship are not people who know them.”
In addition to “Let’s Get Married,” Qualley inspired several of Antonoff’s other musical works, including the track “Dirty Wedding Dress” from the same Bleachers album and Lana Del Rey’s song “Margaret.” Those close to the couple described Qualley as having a warm and positive energy, contrasting with Antonoff’s serious demeanour. Sources have suggested that their differing perspectives on life ultimately contributed to their decision to separate.
Interestingly, “Let’s Get Married” was conceived long before Antonoff and Qualley became a couple. The songwriter revealed that the song arose from the emotional turbulence following Donald Trump’s election in 2016. Antonoff shared in an earlier video that this experience prompted him to reflect on his upbringing in the United States, leading to the lyrics that suggest a longing for connection and commitment in contrast to the uncertainty he was feeling at the time.
Despite the emotional currents intertwined with the song, Antonoff expressed an appreciation for the joy it elicits at weddings. He noted, “I’m happy that one day people will dance to it at weddings and just a few of us will know what I’m really talking about,” indicating that the song has taken on a new layer of meaning since its inception.
Currently, Antonoff is engaged in his BLEACHERS FOREVER tour, which is set to run through December. Meanwhile, Qualley is making a name for herself in the film industry, recently starring in “Love of Your Life,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month.
As they both navigate their careers and personal lives post-separation, fans and followers will undoubtedly be keeping a close watch on the developments in their artistic outputs, as well as their future endeavours. Both Antonoff and Qualley have proven to be influential figures in their respective fields, and their journeys continue to unfold in dynamic ways.