Maren Morris Reveals New Career Milestone
Originally appeared on E! Online
Maren Morris is chasing after new musical moments.
Indeed, she recently set her sights on the big screen, writing and singing the music for DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot. But while she’s now dabbled in film, Maren isn’t planning to branch into acting just yet.
“The music is where I’m at,” she exclusively told E! News’ Francesca Amiker at The Wild Robot Toronto International Film Festival premiere Sept. 8. “Maybe someday acting, but for now I’m comfortable in the writing room. This is my first time ever having music that I’ve written in a movie, so I can’t imagine a more perfect meeting.”
And for Maren, who shares 4-year-old son Hayes with ex-husband Ryan Hurd, the film is perfect for the whole family.
“It’s something for everybody,” the 34-year-old explained. “You’re tackling some things that children go through of not being the best at something off the bat and just trying, and then having someone to guide you."
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“There’s a lot of great humor and writing for adults too,” she added. “No matter the age group, I think you’ll be either laughing or crying or both.”
Maren’s collaboration with DreamWorks on the film, which stars Mark Hamill, Catherine O’Hara and Lupita Nyong’o, comes amid a new chapter for the “My Church” singer, who previously detailed having to take a break from country music.
“The way I grew up was so wrapped in country music, and the way I write songs is very lyrically structured in the Nashville way of doing things, Maren told the Los Angeles Times in September 2023. “But I think I needed to purposely focus on just making good music and not so much on how we'll market it."
The “Chasing After You” singer, who had called out fellow country star Jason Aldean’s wife Brittany Aldean over alleged transphobia ahead of her music hiatus, added, "A lot of the drama within the community. I've chosen to step outside out of it."
But while many thought she may be stepping away from country permanently, she later reassured fans that she wasn’t abandoning the genre forever.
"I don't think [country music is] something you can really leave because it's a music that's in me and that's what I grew up doing," Maren said on a November 2023 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. "It's the music I write, even if I've been sort of genre-fluid my whole career."
And when it comes to the highs and the lows of the industry, she decided to focus on the positive.
"I'm taking the good parts with me, and all are welcome," she continued. "But, yeah, there were just some facets of it that I didn't really jibe with anymore. So, I'm a lot happier now."
With Maren exploring new opportunities, keep reading to see which other stars made an appearance at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
Lupita Nyong'o and Kit Connor
The Wild Robot costars looked fashionable as they posed on the red carpet.
Angelina Jolie and Pax Jolie Pitt
The Maria actor was joined on the red carpet by son Pax for the premiere of her latest directorial outing, Without Blood.
Jennifer Coolidge
The White Lotus star proved she's the queen of the Toronto streets.
Margaret Qualley and Demi Moore
The Poor Things actress and Ghost star showed off their close bond at the premiere of their film The Substance.
Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton
The Oscar-winners proved they are ever the stylish duo.
Gabrielle Union
The Bring it On actress was all smiles as she arrived for the premiere of her new film, Riff Raff.
The Cast of Eden
Jude Law, Daniel Brühl, Ana de Armas, Sydney Sweeney and the rest of their Eden costars enjoyed a moment together on the red carpet.
Amy Adams, Darren Le Gallo, Aviana Le Gallo
The Oscar-nominee was enchanted as her 14-year-old daughter Aviana made her red carpet debut for the Canadian premiere of Amy's new movie, Nightb--ch.
Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry
The Star actress and the Bullet Train star were a winning combination at the premiere of their film The Fire Inside.
Lupita Nyong'o and Chris Sanders
The Oscar winner snapped a selfie with The Wild Robot director, Chris Sanders.
Sydney Sweeney
The actress was all smiles on the red carpet at the premiere of Eden (which, coincidentally, was the name of her character in The Handmaid's Tale).
Florence Pugh
Don't worry, darling—the actress brought her fashion A-game to the We Live in Time premiere.
Andrew Garfield
Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man arrived in style to the We Live in Time premiere at the Princess of Wales Theatre.
Cobie Smulders
The How I Met Your Mother alum had a legend—wait for it—dary night at the premirere of Sharp Corner.
Jennifer Lopez
The "On The Floor" singer looked instantly iconic at the premiere of her new film Unstoppable.
David Furnish and Elton John
The "Your Song" singer and his husband traveled in style on their way to attend the premiere of Elton John: Never Too Late.
Luciana Damon and Matt Damon
The couple—who share four daughters together—were a picture perfect pair at Roy Thomson Hall for the premiere of Unstoppable.
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom
The "Roar" singer and the actor's love was in full bloom at the premiere of his film The Cut.
Jamie Lee Curtis
The Freakier Friday actress waved to fans as she kicked off the festivities.
Pamela Anderson
The model hit the red carpet at the Princess of Wales Theatre for the premiere of her new film, The Last Showgirl.
Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song
The Home Alone star and Suite Life of Zack & Cody actress—who share two sons—enjoyed a parent's night out.
Kiernan Shipka
The Mad Men alum shared a few laughs with her fans while posing for selfies.
Billie Lourd and Austen Rydell
The Scream Queens actress stared adoringly at her husband of two years—with whom she shares two children.
Dave Baustista
The Guardians of the Galaxy star looked marvelous on the red carpet for the premiere of his movie, The Last Showgirl.
