It’s a whole new chapter for Chrissy Metz. In the year and a half since We are After her six-season run, the 43-year-old actress released her first book for children, the New York Times best seller When I talk to God, I talk about youand an accompanying album called Prayed for This Day, which is eligible for a 2023 Grammy Award.
“Music is my first love,” says the former preschool teacher, whose latest projects were inspired by her desire to help children feel more confident. “I hope people see my heart first. “I’m sharing my soul and my spirit in a way that I hope can really impact people.” Here, the new single star, her and her boyfriend of three years, Bradley Collins (who co-wrote the book and album with Chrissy), announced their split in early October – conversations with In contact about branching out, her recent breakup, and the advice she’d give her younger self.
Tell us more about your book and album.
CM: I didn’t think a children’s album would be my first full-length album, but the universe had other plans. The reason we wrote it was to boost children’s self-esteem and confidence. At the end of the day, all we want is to be loved and heard. It doesn’t matter if you are 5 or 55 years old.
Rumor has it he could get a Grammy nomination. How do you feel?
CM: Being recognized by your peers for something that is special and important to you but also has a message behind it… even just being in the conversation is really exciting. It’s surreal.
Would you say the book and album are primarily for religious people?
CM: We really just wanted to encourage the kids and [other] that people have a relationship with whatever their higher power is. I was raised religiously and I am also spiritual. I believe what I call my higher power is God and I believe it is important to have a personal relationship with your higher power.
What would you say to your 25-year-old self?
CM: You can’t take things personally. If we had it all figured out, I don’t think we’d be here. People say: “Don’t give up before the miracle happens.” And it’s always just before it’s about to happen.
Did you almost give up?
CM: After being an agent for nine years, I felt, “Okay, I just need to come home, because this isn’t going to happen.” As impatient as I was, I think the moment came as it should. I don’t know if I could navigate at 20 because of what’s happening to me now. This business is crazy and it’s hard to draw lines and say no. I still have to remind myself, “Do things that make you happy.”
Will you write a sequel to the book?
CM: Well, Bradley and I just wrote our second book, and it would be great to have an album to go with it as well. We’ll see.
How are you feeling after your breakup?
CM: I’m really grateful. I’m friendly with everyone I’ve dated. We want to hear about the drama and chaos, but it’s important to say, “It just wasn’t what we thought it was going to be, and that’s okay.” It’s a different version of a relationship and it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It can be very positive.
