Gracie Abrams is opening up about her close relationship with her friend and mentor Taylor Swift.
The 24-year-old singer shared in a new interview that she felt like she already knew the pop megastar when they first met ahead of opening for her on her Eras Tour as she discussed their connection on and off the stage.
“When I met [Swift], it kind of felt like we had known each other already, which I’m sure there was an element of just like the parasocial relationship thing,” Abrams told U.K. newspaper The Sunday Times. “I’ve grown up with her voice in my headphones my entire life.”
Abrams added to the outlet that her friend Swift, who is also a mentor, is “a safe place to land any time I’ve ever had any questions about anything.”
Abrams performing with Swift on her Eras Tour in London on June 23.
Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty
Aside from music, the “Risk” singer” also shared that Swift gives great advice on how to manage any back pain she experiences from being on tour. “She recommended an acupressure mat that really turned things around for me,” said Abrams.
Abrams opened for Swift during the North American leg of her Eras Tour in April 2023, though she told The Sunday Times that she “had absolutely zero expectation of being included in that capacity.” The pair even ended up performing together on stage in Cincinnati during the tour that year after Abrams’ set got canceled due to bad weather. In June, Abrams performed with Swift again during her London Eras Tour concert.
While attending the 2024 Grammys in January, Abrams told PEOPLE that opening up for Swift was an experience “beyond my wildest dreams.”
“Being a part of that tour in a tiny way has changed the course of my life in so many ways,” she said. “… She’s just the most unbelievable performer and the most generous friend … It’s not lost on me that her belief in me has really just…done a lot. So, I’m deeply grateful to her, forever.”
Taylor Swift and Gracie Abrams embrace on stage during Swift’s Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium on June 23, 2024 in London, England.
Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty
Swift also featured on Abrams’ song “Us” from her second studio album The Secret of Us released in June, which the pair also wrote together.
Abrams wrote on X (formerly Twitter) about the collaboration in May, “… Some of the most fun I’ve ever had in my whole entire life was writing this song together. hands down. I am currently smiling and sweating thinking about it and i’ll never get over the shock of seeing this one on the tracklist.”
The pair even performed the track togetherat Swift’s London Eras Tour show on June 23, during the surprise songs portion of the concert.
Abrams will rejoin the “Cruel Summer” singer in late 2024 for a final North American leg of the tour.
