Gracie Abrams Discusses Nepotism, Announces New Album and Global Tour

Gracie Abrams, the 26‑year‑old singer‑songwriter, said her Hollywood lineage gave her a "safety net" that let her focus on music. On June 28, the artist appeared on the New York Times’ Popcast podcast, where she addressed the public debate over nepotism and explained how growing up amid creativity provided both a unique vocabulary and financial stability.

The singer is the daughter of filmmaker J.J. Abrams, known for the Star Wars sequels and the television series Lost, and Irish actress Katie McGrath, who has appeared in Jurassic World and The Princess for Christmas. Her grandparents also worked in entertainment, creating a family legacy that Abrams says allowed her to experiment and dedicate time to songwriting without the fear of financial insecurity.

Abrams first signed with Interscope Records in 2019. Since then, she has released two debut EPs—Minor (2020) and This Is What It Feels Like (2021)—followed by the studio albums Good Riddance (2023) and The Secret of Us (2024). Her work earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, and she has opened for Olivia Rodrigo on the Sour Tour and for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour.

In July, Abrams will drop her third studio album, Daughter from Hell, on Interscope. The 16‑track record was co‑written and co‑produced by Aaron Dessner of The National, who has worked with Taylor Swift and Bon Iver. The album’s lead single, “Hit the Wall,” reached No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100.

After the release, Abrams will kick off the Look at My Life Tour. The arena‑scale run starts on December 2 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, and will continue through May 28, 2027, ending at Palau Saint Jordi in Barcelona. In the United Kingdom, the tour includes two nights at OVO Hydro in Glasgow, three at Co‑op Live in Manchester, and four at the O2 Arena in London. In Ireland, she will perform two dates at the 3Arena.

Abrams’ comments on nepotism come amid broader industry discussions about the advantages afforded to artists with industry connections. While she acknowledges the privilege, she also emphasizes that her upbringing provided a creative environment that nurtured her songwriting.

The upcoming album and tour position Abrams among the most prominent emerging singer‑songwriters, with her music already charting internationally and her live shows selling out arenas worldwide.

As the release date approaches, fans and industry observers will watch how Daughter from Hell performs commercially and how the Look at My Life Tour expands her global presence.

The next steps for Abrams include the July 17 release of Daughter from Hell, followed by the start of the Look at My Life Tour in December. The tour schedule, set to span North America and Europe, will test the artist’s ability to maintain momentum from her recent studio work.

The industry will also monitor how Abrams’ background and public discussion of nepotism influence conversations about access and opportunity in music and entertainment.