Maren Morris debuts ‘Intermission’ with song about Ryan Hurd’s divorce: ‘I don’t need to protect anyone anymore’

MAREN Morris has released her new five-track EP, Intermission, which includes a song apparently about her divorce from Ryan Hurd.

Maren, 34, filed for divorce from her husband of five years in October 2023, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split.

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The Grammy-winning country music star appeared to reflect on her split from Ryan, 37, in the EP’s final song, How a Woman Leaves.

The song’s lyrics say: “I won’t try to be your friend / All I want is for you to get out of my heart, out of my head.

“That’s how a woman leaves.”

The track continues: “Even if it’s killing me / I’ll make it look so easy / that even I believe in myself / Go ahead and look me in the eyes / Go ahead and tell me you’re surprised.”

Maren delivers a final blow with the lines: “You have the nerve to ask why I’m not crying.

“I cried the entire time I lay next to you.”

Maren explained the meaning of the EP’s title in a Instagram video on July 29, calling the collection a “break in action” and the start of a “new chapter.”

“Calling this project Intermission was intentional,” she began. “It’s obviously a lyric at the end of the song Cut!, but it also means there’s more to come.

The first single from the EP, Cut! was released in June and the song is a collaboration with Julia Michaels.

“[Intermission is] a break from acting, and for me, it’s definitely a break from acting and a new chapter in my life, and I’m so ready to see what’s on the other page,” Maren continued, in the Instagram video.

“I’m very proud of this song. It wasn’t easy to write because I’m going through a lot, and this is the diary of that.”

She added that Intermission, which marks a departure from her country music roots, is “the most fun song and also the most moving song” because it is an honest exploration of her feelings.

The singer-songwriter revealed: “I’m allowing myself to go there – because I don’t need to protect anyone anymore.”

Other tracks on Intermission include Hope I Never Fall In Love, Because, Of Course and Push Me Over, which is apparently about Maren’s sexuality.

Intermission is Maren’s first new project since her divorce from Ryan was finalized in January 2024.

The former couple share custody of their four-year-old son Hayes Andrew.

Maren said she gave herself permission to “break down” on Cut!, calling the song a “cathartic release” in a statement.

“It’s a cathartic release that requires no secrecy, but there are worldly expectations to hold it together despite your feelings,” the My Church hitmaker elaborated.

“This song gives me permission to fall apart.”

MOVING

Maren met country musician Ryan while co-writing a love song for Tim McGraw in 2013.

The meeting, Maren told People, was the beginning of a “wonderful writing relationship” that blossomed into romance.

They tied the knot during a ceremony in Nashville in 2018, after Maren and Ryan got engaged the year before.

Eight months after Maren filed for divorce from Ryan, the My Church singer came out as bisexual during Pride Month.

On June 9, she shared photos of herself holding a Pride flag during a concert in Phoenix, Arizona, on Instagram, and captioned her post, “Happy to be the B in LGBTQ+.”

On Push Me Over, the fourth song on her new EP, Maren reflects on her sexual awakening, writing: “I’ve been waiting for a night like this / West side, red lips / We can test my hypothesis / Your hands, My hips.”

“I want you in my bed because I don’t need any more friends / The closer you get I want you to push me,” she sings in the chorus.

“Sitting on the fence feels good between my legs / The closer you get, I want you to push me.”

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