Interscope Records CEO John Janick has come to the defense of rising pop star Gracie Abrams, dismissing recent claims that her success is a product of her family connections rather than her own hard work.
The singer-songwriter, known for hits like That’s So True and Close To You, is the daughter of celebrated filmmaker J.J. Abrams and television producer Katie McGrath. However, some critics have labeled Gracie a “nepo baby,” implying her rise in the industry was due to her Hollywood lineage.
Janick, however, pushed back strongly against those accusations in a recent interview with Billboard. “She’s done this on her own without taking any of the shortcuts,” he said. “Signing Gracie had everything to do with her talent and who she is as a person. Her songwriting stood out, and that’s what we cared about.”
Abrams signed with Interscope in 2019, and since then, her career has only gained momentum. Her debut EP Minor came out in 2020, followed by the emotional and introspective This Is What It Feels Like in 2021. In 2023, she released her first full-length studio album, Good Riddance, which earned her a Grammy nomination and cemented her place among the new generation of influential female artists. The following year, she delivered her sophomore album, The Secret of Us, further showcasing her lyrical vulnerability and growth.
Janick emphasized that Gracie never tried to fast-track her way to fame. “There was no skipping of steps or taking shortcuts. She always wanted her music to speak for itself,” he noted. “Gracie Abrams has been incredibly intentional about her career path.”
Currently, Abrams is captivating audiences on The Secret of Us Tour, with upcoming performances in Bangkok on April 19, followed by shows in Australia and New Zealand. With her honest storytelling and raw emotion, Gracie continues to win over fans and critics alike — not through privilege, but through undeniable talent and authenticity.