Charli XCX is joining forces with producer Jack Antonoff for music on the upcoming A24 film Mother Mary, reigniting chatter about Antonoff’s relationship with Taylor Swift.
Fans noticed Antonoff’s absence from Swift’s latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, a departure from years of near-constant collaboration. For decades, Antonoff co-produced Swift’s albums through his longtime studio, The Tortured Poets Department, making his omission notable. Swift instead reunited with pop producers Max Martin and Shellback, sparking speculation of a professional, and perhaps personal, rift.
Charli’s Role Adds a Twist
Charli’s involvement adds a playful twist to the conversation. Her 2024 track Sympathy Is a Knife from Brat was interpreted by fans as a subtle nod to insecurities linked to Swift, a theory amplified by Charli’s marriage to George Daniel of The 1975, whose frontman, Matty Healy, is Swift’s ex.
Swift’s later release, Actually Romantic, seemed to respond lyrically, with lines like “I heard you call me ‘Boring Barbie’” dissected online for hidden meaning. The musical back-and-forth has kept fans guessing.
Adding to the intrigue, Antonoff’s wife, actress Margaret Qualley, recently said she channeled Healy’s persona for her role in Honey, Don’t!, connecting Swift’s past, Antonoff, and his family in one curious creative loop.
Behind the Music: Mother Mary
For Mother Mary, a David Lowery film starring Anne Hathaway as a famous musician, Charli and Antonoff crafted songs that diverge from Charli’s usual style. “We were making music that I don’t think I would ever make for my artist project, but still music that I truly love,” Charli told Vanity Fair.
Charli also stars in The Moment, an A24 project with Alexander Skarsgård, and continues writing for other major productions. While she’s unsure about releasing another solo album, her creative energy is thriving in fictional worlds and film soundtracks.
Why Fans Are Watching
This collaboration highlights how Antonoff is branching beyond Swift’s projects, prompting fans to speculate on their current creative and personal dynamics. Meanwhile, Charli’s rising profile in film and music positions her as a key player in this evolving pop culture narrative.
Fans are keeping a close eye on how these intersecting careers, Swift, Antonoff, Charli, shape music and screen projects in the months to come.
