‘Maid’ Star Margaret Qualley Announces Engagement at Cannes
The illustrious Cannes Film Festival is known for its movie debuts, but this year’s festival also hosted Margaret Qualley’s debut as a fiancée. The star of the Netflix series Maid wore a diamond ring while in France for the premiere of her new film, Stars at Noon, and announced her engagement shortly thereafter. Qualley’s fiancé, Jack Antonoff, is the frontman for the band Bleachers and an award-winning music producer.
Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff’s relationship
There was no arguing the pair’s romantic status after they were seen lip-locked in New York last year. As reported by People, “The couple began dating last summer and were first spotted kissing in New York City in August 2021.” Then, in March 2022, the two arrived together for the AFI Luncheon before attending the Critics’ Choice Awards. The following month, Qualley accompanied Antonoff to the 2022 Grammy Awards.
Upon arriving in France for the Cannes Film Festival in May, Qualley wore a new diamond ring, and rumors of her engagement quickly spread. Donning an elegant black Chanel dress, Qualley accessorized simply with a pair of earrings, a bow in her hair, and the ring on her finger.
On May 31, Qualley posted a collection of photos of the couple on her Instagram with the ring displayed prominently and wrote, “Oh I love him.”
‘Maid’ actor Margaret Qualley’s rise to fame
Daughter of legendary actor Andie MacDowell and former model Paul Qualley, Margaret Qualley was a dancer and model before becoming an actor.
Her acting career began with a small role in 2013’s Palo Alto, acting alongside her then-boyfriend Nat Wolff. She then portrayed Jill Garvey in The Leftovers. In 2019, Qualley appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and the miniseries Fosse/Verdon.
Following her Emmy-nominated performance in Fosse/Verdon, Qualley’s starring role in Netflix’s Maid made her a household name. Her portrayal of Alex Russell, a young mother who becomes homeless after fleeing her abusive boyfriend, earned her Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe nods. Maid ranked as the seventh most popular series on Netflix in 2021.
Qualley’s current project, Stars at Noon, is the actor’s first film at Cannes. Adapted for the screen from Denis Johnson’s 1984 novel, The Stars at Noon, the movie is directed by Claire Denis and co-stars Joe Alwyn. She also has two more projects releasing this year, is filming a third, and has three in pre-production, including one that sees her starring as Ginger Rogers.
Jack Antonoff, music, and Lena Dunham
Antonoff has likewise been the talk of musical circles lately. The singer-songwriter has fronted his band Bleachers since 2013, but he’s best known for his collaborations.
According to The New Yorker, Antonoff has produced 10 of Taylor Swift’s chart-topping singles and has collaborated as producer or co-writer with Lorde, Lana Del Rey, Diana Ross, Harry Styles, Sia, and other music artists.
After earning nominations for 18 Grammy Awards over his career, Antonoff took home his sixth Grammy this year with Qualley by his side.
Both Antonoff and Qualley have had their share of celebrity relationships. Qualley dated Shia LaBeouf and Pete Davidson, and Antonoff had a long-term romance with Girls star Lena Dunham. Antonoff and Dunham dated from 2012 to 2018, shared a home, and adopted (and ridiculously named) a dog together. After their breakup, Antonoff was seen with model Carlotta Kohl, but now his dating days appear over, as he has found his partner in Qualley.
