Taylor Swift and rising singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams found themselves tackling more than just song lyrics. The dynamic duo extinguished a fire in Taylor Swift’s New York City apartment after an intense songwriting session.
The incident occurred one night late after they finished writing a new track for Gracie Abrams’ upcoming album, “The Secret of Us.” The fire broke out in the kitchen, unbeknownst to both artists. Swift reacted quickly at a very confused moment by grasping a fire extinguisher and extinguishing the flames. Abrams would later praise Swift’s quick thinking and bravery—shocked by how her friend had been under such pressure.
Taylor Swift extinguishing fire that broke out at her apartment with Gracie Abrams.
— Pop Base (@PopBase) JUNE 21, 2024
Abrams told Billboard six months after the fact,
“She was such a legend—I don’t know how at this hour or in our state she knew what to do,” Abrams said, still marveling at the memory. “We both had an insane cough from the fire extinguisher fumes for weeks.”
In the now-viral video, Abrams is heard instructing Swift on what to do with the situation. By this point, Swift was quite unsure and asked, “Wait, what do I do about this? So I cut this [fire extinguisher] with a knife—I think we’re going to die.”.
“No, we are not going to die,” Abrams reassured her in a quivering voice.
Swift, still with a doubting mind, repeated, “I think we’re going to die.”
“But you never put this out with water, you know?” Abrams said, guiding Swift as she maneuvered the extinguisher. “Just press it.”
After fumbling with it a bit, Swift did manage to get the extinguisher turned on, spraying the flames with a cloud of white smoke. “Well, our purses are ruined and my shoes and the whole room, I think,” chuckling answered Swift, as the air filled up with fumes from the extinguisher.
Abrams later posted the video on Instagram, sharing the wild story with their fans. “Writing this entire song from 2am to 6am was some of the most fun I’ve ever had in my life. @taylorswift now we know how to use a fire extinguisher. I love you,” she wrote.
The song “Us,” born from that fateful night, is set to be released on June 21, 2024, as part of Gracie Abrams’ much-anticipated album. Fans are eagerly awaiting this track, not just for its musicality but also for the incredible story behind its creation.
Swift‘s reaction to the fire shows that everyone needs to be ready for such emergency moments, no matter who you are. Keeping her head and reacting quickly certainly averted a potentially dangerous situation.
Gracie Abrams is a young songwriter currently marking her territory in the music industry. Her first buzz arrived with the posting of her song snippets on Instagram; the second buzz is the daughter of known movie director and composer JJ Abrams. With two EPs already in her résumé—”Minor” (2020) and “This Is What It Feels Like” (2021)—Abrams is becoming a name to watch. This Taylor Swift x Gracie Abram collab on “Us” really spawned a new hard-hitting song but also really showcased their teamwork and perseverance at a moment’s notice. That will undoubtedly make a memorable chapter in their relationships, friends, and working association.
This is not just a story of a fire or of a new song. It’s two artists coming together, facing unexpected challenges along the way, and creating something in the end, amidst this mess, this beauty. And fans of both—Swift and Abrams—hear “Us,” and the rest of Abrams’ album, with this in tow, as part and parcel of their remarkable journey in this music industry.
