Phoebe Bridgers appears to have taken a swipe at ex Paul Mescal’s girlfriend Gracie Abrams on her new album.
US indie musician Bridgers, 31, and Irish actor Mescal, 30, began dating in 2020, having first connected over Twitter when Bridgers shared praise for Normal People. The couple, who were reportedly engaged, split in December 2022, with Bridgers now in a relationship with comedian Bo Burnham, 35.
Lyrics on 'Lost Weekend'
Bridgers is releasing her third album Lost Weekend on Friday (7 August), with early rave reviews teasing lyrics that appear to allude to Abrams, 26.
One song fans have particularly latched onto ahead of the album’s launch is “The Governor’s Waltz”, which features the lyrics: “And she can pretend to be me / Since she took my place in my bed on that stage / I have not lost any sleep.”
Fan theories
Online, fans shared their theories that the lyrics pertain to Mescal and his new relationship with singer Abrams.
The “bed on that stage” is seen to be a reference to the bed that was part of Abrams’ set on tour, that looks eerily similar to the Bridgers’ own bed from which she recorded videos of herself playing songs during the pandemic.
Back in 2017 – long before either Bridgers or Abrams had met Mescal – Abrams posted images of her rocket-themed bed sheets to Instagram, with Bridgers commenting: “I HAVE THE SAME SHEETS.”
The Standard has contacted Bridgers and Abrams’ representatives for comment.
Relationship timeline
Mescal and Abrams have been together for two years.
Bridgers makes reference to her relationship with Mescal on Lost Weekend, singing on the title track: “I’m supposed to be married but I called it off.”
The daughter of Hollywood director JJ Abrams, singer Abrams was first rumoured to be dating Mescal in June 2024, with the pair now living together in London.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Abrams spoke about settling in London after a long touring stretch. “It’s been such a great feeling to be in one place again,” she said. “I see long stretches in one place… [and the] gorgeous gift of all of our friends doing the arts, but mixed mediums, all under the same roof often and sharing that with one another.”
