It’s the end of the road for Maddie and Tae — for now.
Maddie Marlow Font and Tae Dye Kerr announced Monday that they are splitting up after 15 years together as a country music duo.
“It’s been such a hard, hard — honestly, heartbreaking — decision,” Tae, 30, told People. “This was the only dream I’ve ever had since I exited the womb.
Maddie, 30, added, “But just in this season, it doesn’t feel aligned for us to do it together.”
When did Maddie & Tae start as a musical duo?
Maddie and Tae first met in 2010 through their vocal coach, who was based in Dallas, Texas. After they both graduated high school, they moved to Nashville to pursue their musical careers as a duo.
In 2014, age 19, Maddie and Tae earned their first No. 1 hit in 2014 with their debut single, “Girl in a Country Song.” They released their first album, “Start Here,” the following year.
The singers have released four albums and four EPs, and have received 13 CMA nominations, 11 ACM nominations and six CMT Award nominations.
During a 2021 interview with Teen Vogue, Maddie and Tae reflected on how their lives changed after “Girl in a Country” song came out.
“A lot has changed since the song came out, but we’re still the same people we were when we started,” Tae said. “Of course we’re growing and learning how to handle the chaos and handle being pulled in so many directions. We learn more and more about ourselves individually and collectively every day, every show. Of course there’s going to be a lot of change, but that’s what inspires the music.”
Maddie added, “It’s crazy what’s happened within a year. We just feel really, really blessed. The fact that we’re young females and our voices are being heard loud and clear is really, really special to both of us.”
Why are Maddie and Tae splitting up?
During their People interview, Maddie revealed she’s launching a solo career, while Tae plans to focus on her family.
Tae shares her two kids, daughter Leighton, 3, and son Chapel, 13 months, with her husband, Josh Kerr, while Maddie shares her son Forrest, 2, with her husband, Jonah Font.
“It’s been such a hard, hard — honestly, heartbreaking — decision,” Tae admitted. “This was the only dream I’ve ever had since I exited the womb. I had a very specific vision of creating music and singing music. When we met at 15, that’s what we set out to do, and we’re both just so grateful that we’ve had the journey that we’ve had. This career has been everything we’ve ever wanted.”
But both women acknowledged that it’s been hard to balance motherhood and their music careers. They said they made their decision during a phone call in September.
“Maddie was just like, ‘Tell me where your heart is,’” Tae recalled. “And I was like, ‘My heart is at home.’ And she said, ‘Okay. Then that’s what we need to do.’”
“We both knew this conversation was coming eventually,” Tae added. “I never imagined it would be on the phone. I always thought we’d get to be in person and hug each other.”
However, Maddie and Tae clarified that they aren’t on a permanent break.
“We’re leaving this so open-ended because, you know, we might make another record one day,” Maddie told People. “We might go do some tour dates one day.”
Maddie continued, “Even though we’re not gonna go on this journey as Maddie & Tae together, we’re still walking and doing life together outside of it. And I think I’m really excited to just be best friends and nurture our friendship and not have to worry as much about the work and still get to raise our babies together. None of that changes.”
The singers also opened up about their breakup in an emotional Instagram message.
“Thank you for all the love as we step into this new bittersweet chapter. We both feel overwhelmed with gratitude for what we’ve built with y’all the last 12 years. Thank you for making our wildest dreams come true and we hope you stay close by to watch us chase some new dreams,” they wrote.
What have Maddie and Tae said about their individual careers?
Maddie, who is her family’s primary breadwinner, told People that she’s already writing songs for her first solo project that will be released “sometime next year.”
“I’m dipping my toe in some gospel sounds and a little bit of that R&B-soul thing that I love,” she shared. “But I think my heart is just in making impactful music that reaches people.”
Tae, for her part, plans to only sing at home with her family.
“Bath time is my showtime,” she said. “Between my husband and me and my daughter, we’re constantly singing. We live in a musical home.”
However, Tae is open to returning to the industry eventually.
“Whatever God presents to me, I’m open. I might hop on some of my husband’s projects. That would be so fun.”
