Lace Manhattan debuts two captivating singles tied to Honey Don’t!
Explore how Margaret Qualley embodies her new musical alter ego, Lace Manhattan, in two sharply contrasting tracks, crafted for Ethan Coen’s upcoming noir‑comedy Honey Don’t! and produced by Jack Antonoff.
Lace Manhattan is Margaret Qualley’s bold musical alter ego, unveiled with two new songs—“In The Sun She Lies” and “ODDWADD”—both produced by her husband Jack Antonoff and co‑written by filmmaker Ethan Coen for the soundtrack of Honey Don’t!. This double‑release is turning heads across entertainment media, from W Magazine to Uproxx and Billboard Philippines.
The rollout includes two visually distinct music videos directed by Talia Ryder (as Dixie Normus), showcasing Qualley’s dance roots and artistic daring. The whole project is deeply intertwined with the film’s creative universe and star‑studded ensemble, setting up Lace Manhattan as a persona worth following beyond the screen.
A daring dual release: from psychedelic ballad to synth‑pop fever dream
Margaret Qualley’s two debut songs as Lace Manhattan are musically polar opposites. “In The Sun She Lies” is a slow, psychedelic folk ballad built on acoustic guitar and moody Moog textures, with Qualley’s voice serving as a smoky, emotive overlay, tuning into introspective energy.
By contrast, “ODDWADD” is a pulsing, hyper‑pop synth track featuring a steady four‑on‑the‑floor beat and chant‑like vocals—suggestive of a dark aerobics fever dream, matching Qualley’s bold choreography in the video.
Visual collaboration: Talia Ryder stepping behind the camera
The music videos are directed by Qualley’s Honey Don’t! co‑star Talia Ryder, who performs under the alter ego Dixie Normus. In “ODDWADD”, black‑and‑white framing amplifies the sharp, dance‑based energy of Qualley and Ryder in babydoll gowns and chorus shoes, writhing around an empty space in beautiful intensity.
Meanwhile, the “In The Sun She Lies” video offers a sun‑washed, melancholic tone—starkly different from the techno pulse—showing them strolling through golden light with reflective, angelic serenity.
A cinematic universe: music and film as merged art forms
This Lace Manhattan project was conceived on the Honey Don’t! set, as part of an extended film universe conceived by Ethan Coen. Qualley appears as Honey O’Donahue, while Ryder plays her niece, and their alter egos create a layered fictional world via music and visuals. The synergy between film and music enriches the narrative framework around the fictional characters Lace Manhattan and Dixie Normus.
Both songs will appear on the official film soundtrack and are co‑written by Coen himself, merging filmmaking and songwriting in an inventive collaboration.
Creative partnership: Antonoff, Coen, Ryder, and Qualley
The entire project thrives on creative partnerships. Jack Antonoff, the multiple‑Grammy‑winning producer behind hits for Lana Del Rey, Taylor Swift, Lorde, and more, handles production duties. His pop‑expertise shapes both tracks, from folk‑inspired introspection to sharp electronic groove. UPROXX
Ethan Coen’s co‑writing credit on both tracks adds cinematic storytelling to the songwriting. And Talia Ryder’s dual role as co‑star and director adds depth—her video direction creates visual and emotional synergy with Qualley’s performances.
Why this matters: redefining celebrity and alter ego in music
Margaret Qualley isn’t a singer‑turned‑star—she’s an actress embracing a musical persona rooted in theatrical performance. As Lace Manhattan, Qualley blends her acting and dance background in a meta‑fictional music project intertwined with her film role. It’s an approach that echoes classic alter‑ego concepts but modernizes them via cinematic and music crossovers.
Critics across Uproxx, Our Culture Mag, Far Out, and more highlight how the project showcases her versatility—not just as an actor or choreographer, but as a creative collaborator across media. Our Culture
What’s next for Lace Manhattan and Honey Don’t!
Honey Don’t! premieres in cinemas on August 22, 2025 following its Cannes debut earlier in the year, where it garnered strong early buzz. The music videos and singles serve as pre‑release promotion, but Lace Manhattan could evolve beyond the film’s world with more music or performance tied to Qualley’s artistic career. W Magazine
Fans and industry watchers will be paying attention to streaming metrics, video viewership, and whether this musical project expands into live performance, perhaps foreshadowing ongoing releases under the Lace Manhattan persona. Far Out Magazine
Margaret Qualley’s Lace Manhattan marks an imaginative fusion of film, music, and performance. With two contrasting singles—“In The Sun She Lies” and “ODDWADD”—backed by Jack Antonoff’s lush production and Ethan Coen’s storytelling, and brought to life through striking visuals by Talia Ryder, it’s a multidimensional debut that redefines celebrity alter‑ego in a cinematic context. Both actress and artist, Qualley now gives fans a peek into a fictional character who might live outside her films—and perhaps in playlists, too.
Whether Lace Manhattan becomes a recurring persona or remains a one‑off art piece, the debut cements Qualley as a creative force comfortable blending mediums. For now, the project leaves us waiting to see what comes next.
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