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Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff are officially moving to end their marriage, but a source says their split won’t destroy the bond they built. The actress and music producer filed for divorce on Friday, October 30, months after announcing their split this summer. The filing comes as Antonoff opens up about the emotional experience of playing songs inspired by their relationship, and why he refuses to remove those memories from his shows.
Margaret Qualley And Jack Antonoff would come to a conclusion
A source close to the couple told PEOPLE that Qualley and Antonoff are nearing divorce together. “Jack and Margaret are filing for divorce,” the source said. “This is a mutual decision.”
Depending on the income, the divorce is uncontested and mutually agreed upon. The source also explained why the papers would identify one person as a plaintiff and the other as a defendant, explaining that these designations are required in New York State.
Despite the end of their romantic relationship, insiders insisted that their mutual respect still exists. “They have a deep bond and love for each other, and although their romantic partnership is coming to an end, they will absolutely be lifelong friends.”
Qualley and Antonoff began dating in 2021 and married in August 2023. They split earlier this year, before reaching their third wedding anniversary.
Rep. Qualley previously denied claims of infidelity
PEOPLE first reported the split on July 8. Two days later, Qualley’s rep confirmed the breakup and pushed back against speculation about what happened. “The reports that are running in the media about Margaret and Jack are completely wrong. There are no issues of trust. There was no mistrust or anything outside of respect and partnership in this relationship,” the statement began.
The representative also challenged the credibility of people offering accounts of the marriage. “They love and care for each other very much,” the statement continued. “There are only two people in this marriage, and the sources speaking to the media and commenting on their relationship are not people who know them. Please respect their privacy.”
Neither that statement nor the final account of the divorce gave a specific reason for the separation. The two stressed the continued care between the former couple.
Jack Antonoff faces the breakup through his music
While the divorce is moving forward, Antonoff has been facing another fallout from the divorce: playing music that was written during the relationship. His band, Bleachers, released “Everyone for Ten Minutes” in May, with several tracks inspired by his romance with Qualley.
In an interview with the Guardian on October 25, Antonoff explained that he had considered what it would mean to keep these songs on the set list after they split. “Songs I’ve written recently, I’ve obviously been very concerned about this particular thing,” he said.
He ultimately decided that continuing to perform them was part of the honesty he owes to his audience. The feelings behind the music were real when he wrote it, even if his situation has changed since then. The Grammy-winning producer admitted that “anyone could relate to the overwhelming sadness and pain, but there’s also great power.”
The performance of the songs has brought an unexpected connection
Instead of treating these tracks as something to be avoided, Antonoff described finding meaning in sharing them with an audience that understands their history. “It’s been really beautiful,” he said.
“I mean, for people to come together, to know what I’m writing a song about, to know how that must feel to me now, to know what that song means to you as a member of the audience, to just hold it all and celebrate,” he said.
Antonoff says he won’t rewrite the past
The Bleachers front man made it clear that he is not interested in separating himself from the emotions he has put into his work. “I will not rewrite the past, I am not ashamed of the things I said,” he explained.
“My life has been dedicated to making it impossible for me to rewrite the past, because I’m standing there, singing about how I felt in the good times, so when the bad times hit I can’t look at myself in the mirror and pretend those times didn’t exist,” he said.
As he and Qualley take the next step toward consummating their marriage, Antonoff’s approach to music remains rooted in acknowledging what has come before. “I’d rather live through something in public than even escape it in private.”
