Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and producer Finneas has shared an amusing yet slightly awkward story involving global pop icon Taylor Swift. In a recent interview with The Guardian, published on Sunday, August 10, the 28-year-old recalled the “cringey” conversation they had during a special occasion — one that still makes him shake his head.
The awkward birthday party exchange
Finneas, best known for his chart-topping work with sister Billie Eilish and his own solo projects, recounted meeting Swift at her birthday party. While such moments are often filled with compliments and warm exchanges, his attempt at a friendly chat took an unexpectedly awkward turn.
“I said thanks for coming to Taylor Swift. At her birthday party,” Finneas shared. “She said, ‘Thank you so much for coming’ and I said, ‘Thank you for coming!’”
The slip-up was harmless but humorous, offering a relatable reminder that even celebrities can have socially clumsy moments when meeting other stars.
From LA childhood to music stardom
Beyond the Taylor Swift encounter, the interview dove into Finneas’ childhood in Los Angeles, where he took on what he now considers a “bizarre” early job — market research for TV and games.
“Growing up in LA, they have you do a thing that as a kid, you’re like, ‘sweet’ — and then as an adult, you’re like, ‘that was child labor,’” he explained. “They’re like, do you want to watch a show or play a game and then talk to a panel of adults who are working on the thing for many hours in exchange for literally $15? You’re probably eight. You’re very young. And you get a dial that you turn as you watch the show for like, ‘I’m enjoying it’ or ‘I’m not enjoying it.’”
The small paydays may not have been glamorous, but the experience was part of the unconventional path that shaped his creative instincts.
A piece of advice that stuck with Finneas
Amid career highs and challenging moments, one piece of advice has stayed with Finneas throughout his journey.
“A guy who’s a mastering engineer once said to me, ‘Listen man, if something ever goes wrong, you just rock out. Just rock out, man,’” he recalled. “I sometimes think, damn, I really am doing that. I had a show recently where s--- was going wrong, and I was like: time to rock out, dude. What’s my alternative here? Oh, my flight’s delayed four hours? Let’s rock out, dude.”
From his lighthearted Taylor Swift story to his resilient mindset, Finneas’ candid insights reveal a grounded, witty, and adaptable artist who takes both awkward moments and career challenges in stride.