Charli XCX Considers Quitting Music for Acting Career

The pop star reveals plans to focus more on film projects after recent success with a mocumentary and soundtrack album.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Charli XCX, the 33-year-old Grammy-winning pop star, has expressed interest in shifting her focus from music to acting. In a recent interview, she stated that she wants to "quit music" and pursue more acting opportunities. Charli has already made inroads in the film industry, releasing a mocumentary called The Moment and creating a soundtrack album for the period drama Wuthering Heights. She has also shared an idea for a horror film on TikTok, describing it as an "it-girl Final Destination" where the deaths would happen on the runway and at raves. Charli's creative focus seems to be gravitating towards filmmaking, which she finds "really enriching and instinctual," though she acknowledges that music is a "limb" she'll likely never fully cut from her life.

Why it matters

Charli XCX's potential transition from music to acting would mark a significant career shift for the established pop star. Her decision to explore new creative avenues could inspire other musicians to diversify their talents and seek out acting opportunities, potentially leading to more cross-pollination between the music and film industries. Additionally, Charli's interest in horror and dark themes could bring a fresh perspective to the genre, appealing to her existing fanbase while potentially attracting new audiences.

The details

In a recent episode of the Feeding Starving Celebrities series, Charli XCX told host Quenlin Blackwell that she wants to "quit music" and focus on acting. This comes after Charli has already begun making her mark in the film industry. In January, she released a mocumentary called The Moment, which featured cameos from celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Julia Fox. Charli has also created a soundtrack album inspired by the period drama Wuthering Heights, and is set to collaborate with Jack Antonoff on original songs for the upcoming psychological horror film Mother Mary, starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel.

  • In July 2025, Charli XCX wed The 1975 drummer George Daniel.
  • In May 2026, Charli shared an idea for a horror film on TikTok, describing it as an "it-girl Final Destination".
  • In January 2026, Charli released her mocumentary The Moment.
  • In November 2025, Charli wrote in a Substack post that "film is where my creative brain seems to be gravitating".

The players

Charli XCX

A 33-year-old Grammy-winning pop star who is considering shifting her focus from music to acting.

Quenlin Blackwell

A 25-year-old host of the Feeding Starving Celebrities series, who interviewed Charli XCX.

George Daniel

The drummer for the band The 1975, who married Charli XCX in July 2025.

Jack Antonoff

A musician and producer who is set to collaborate with Charli XCX on original songs for the upcoming film Mother Mary.

Anne Hathaway

An acclaimed actress who will star in the psychological horror film Mother Mary, which Charli XCX is contributing to.

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What they’re saying

“Yes, are you kidding? I want to quit music, babe, and act.”

— Charli XCX (Feeding Starving Celebrities)

“What else is there to do?”

— Charli XCX (Feeding Starving Celebrities)

“We would be being killed by machinery or something like that. And I feel like if it was an it-girl thing, all the deaths would be on the runway. I would probably die at some kind of a rave. You know what I mean?”

— Charli XCX (TikTok)

“Film is where my creative brain seems to be gravitating. I'm enjoying acting, I'm enjoying writing, I'm enjoying watching and I'm above all enjoying discovering a new craft.”

— Charli XCX (Substack)

“Music is a limb I will probably never fully be able to cut from my body despite trying quite hard to do so at points.”

— Charli XCX (Substack)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Charli XCX's potential shift from music to acting highlights the growing trend of musicians diversifying their creative outlets and seeking new challenges in the film industry. Her interest in horror and dark themes could bring a fresh perspective to the genre, potentially appealing to her existing fanbase while attracting new audiences.