OWENN Says Opening for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Was 'Surreal': 'Please Pinch Me' (Exclusive)
During his very first sound check, the singer-songwriter thought, "This can’t be real," he recalled to PEOPLE at Jingle Ball NYC
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OWENN told PEOPLE that opening for Taylor Swift was a "surreal" experience.OWENN may have wrapped his tour leg with Taylor Swift in August, but it is still a “pinch me” moment for the rising star.
Born Christian Owens, the singer-songwriter — and former backup dancer for Swift, 33 — reflected on his stint as an Eras Tour opener with PEOPLE at iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball in New York City on Friday.
OWENN said he thought about how far he has come “every day” while touring this summer, but was especially pensive while rehearsing — before the fans came pouring in.
"Sound checks when the stadiums were empty and it’s just me up there and I’m just walking through, it’s surreal,” he told PEOPLE.
“I think the first soundcheck, I was like, ‘Please pinch me. This can’t be real,’” the “Baby Girl” singer added. “I think it’s always that moment.”
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OWENN performing at the iHeartRadio 2023 NYC Jingle Ball pre-show.That feeling continued after Swifties arrived at the venues, he recalled, adding, “And then the stadium fills up and the music — it’s just surreal.”
When asked how his upcoming project — a “rock/R&B-type” EP called Changes, he told Z100 — will distinguish himself as a solo artist, OWENN told PEOPLE, “You know, I guess we’re going to have to see and find out!”
He added, “But I just hope that everybody is watching and willing, you know?”
Related: Taylor Swift Says She 'Swallowed a Bug' by Accident During Chicago Eras Tour Show: 'Delicious'
Before joining the Eras Tour as an opener — along with artists including Paramore, Haim and Sabrina Carpenter — OWENN was an integral part of two Swift eras. During Reputation, he joined her on tour as a dancer and for Lover, he starred in the music video for the album’s titular track.
The artists’ collaboration extended beyond Swift’s body of work when the Midnights songstress helped OWENN get his record deal with Republic Records.
“She actually contacted the head of Republic herself on my behalf, which was kind of crazy,” he previously revealed during an Instagram Live.
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OWENN has since expressed his gratitude for the "Karma" singer on social media several times.
When he first announced he would be joining the tour in November 2022, the singer wrote, “Honestly I have no words and I can’t believe I’m announcing this… I’m so blessed and grateful for this opportunity.”
“Thank you @taylorswift a million times over!!!” he continued. “Come see me opening for T on ‘Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour’ next year! Can’t wait to perform for you guys and be a part of this greatness!! This is truly a dream."
He added, “Thank you everyone for all the support.. I’m still processing! I Can’t wait to jam with you all at the shows and share more music with you SOON! 🌹🌹♥️♥️ #TSTheErasTour.”
In August, after wrapping his time on the Eras Tour, the singer shared a video documenting his final show, in which he yelled at the camera, “Eras, I love you!”
“What a journey it has been .. thank you @taylorswift for changing my life so many times lol,” he wrote in the caption. “I feel like it’s very rare to meet such genuine souls .. I am beyond blessed to have you as a friend in my life.”
In October, the “Rest of My Life” musician thanked the singer once again after he attended the star-studded premiere of her concert film Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.
Alongside a clip of himself on the red carpet, OWENN wrote, “Thank you @taylorswift for the amazing night! And Congrats to you and everyone involved! The film looks amazing yo! Everybody make sure you go watch this magical woman! 🌹#taylorswift #tstheerastour #eras.”
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