Jack Antonoff Reveals He Asked Margaret Qualley's Sister Rainey's Permission to Propose Seconds Before Popping the Question

Ashlyn RobinetteWed, April 29, 2026 at 6:14 PM UTC

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Rainey Qualley (left); Margaret Qualley and Jack AntonoffCredit: Getty(2) -

Jack Antonoff opened up on SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show about meeting his wife, Margaret Qualley, and proposing to her in Paris

Before Antonoff popped the question, he asked Margaret’s sister, Rainey, for her blessing

The couple's engagement was confirmed in May 2022, and they wed in August 2023

Jack Antonoff is reflecting on his proposal to wife Margaret Qualley.

During his appearance on SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show on Tuesday, April 29, to promote his band Bleachers' upcoming album, everyone for ten minutes, Antonoff, 42, discussed experiencing love at first sight with Qualley, 31, and revealed how he popped the question in Paris.

The musician told host Howard Stern, 72, that he knew the "second" he met the actress during a studio rooftop party in 2021 that he would marry her.

Jack Antonoff on SiriusXM’s 'The Howard Stern Show'Credit: Cindy Ord/Getty

"I saw her and it was like a f---ing Hallmark movie that doesn't seem believable," Antonoff recalled, adding, "When I met her, I started imagining things that I'd never even imagined, like marriage."

He knew Qualley's feelings were mutual.

"You know how I know it's true?" Antonoff said. "Because her crush since she was a kid was Adam Sandler, and I'm not far."

He continued, "I think Sandler's beautiful, so I'm not trying to degrade him in any way. But that to me clarifies that this is real because if you think Adam Sandler is No. 1 sex symbol, then I could be a guy for you."

PEOPLE confirmed Antonoff and Qualley's engagement in May 2022. Antonoff revealed on the podcast that he proposed on "such a f---ing not special night" when they were living in Paris, over a meal of chicken.

"I ran into another room and I remember I FaceTimed her sister (Rainey). I hadn't told anyone," Antonoff shared. "I was like, 'I want to ask Margaret to marry me, is that okay?' And she was like, 'Yeah.' "

Antonoff asked for Rainey's blessing to propose beforehand because he "wanted to do some old-fashioned version." With her approval, it was go time.

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"I came back and I could tell that I looked crazy 'cause she looked at me like something was wrong, and I think it's because I had begun to sweat," Antonoff explained. "And all I do is joke, so when I become serious, I think it's a bit arresting."

Margaret Qualley (left) and Jack Antonoff in March 2025Credit: Michael Buckner/Getty

Once he dropped onto his knee, the Maid star realized what was happening.

"At that moment, she kicked back her chair and there was this big scene," Antonoff said. "We have a beautiful picture frame in our house just of the chicken and the chairs all over the place because we kind of both fell to the floor. I cut myself and I did it, but it was so beautiful."

He added, "I had a lot of things I wanted to say, and I got through none of them."

Antonoff and Qualley tied the knot in New Jersey, in August 2023. Among the celebrity wedding guests were Taylor Swift, Channing Tatum, Zoë Kravitz, Cara Delevingne and Lana Del Rey.

Earlier on The Howard Stern Show, Antonoff noted that Qualley has served as the inspiration for many of his love songs, with his new track "you and forever" about how he sees her as "a godly figure." He raved, "She's the center of all happiness and warmth and joy."

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Bleachers' new album, everyone for ten minutes, is available May 22.

The Howard Stern Show, which airs on SiriusXM channel Howard 100, is broadcast live Mondays through Wednesdays starting at 7:00 a.m. ET. The full show is also available on the SiriusXM app.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”