Abigail Barlow is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She shared a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2022 for The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, co-written with Emily Bear. Barlow and Bear also wrote songs for the Disney animated film Moana 2 (2024). Barlow portrayed the role of Katherine Howard in the musical Six on Broadway and departed the show August 16, 2026.
Early life and education Barlow was born in Jackson, Mississippi, but moved to Birmingham, Alabama, in first grade.Reese, Katie. "Meet the Cast of RMTC's 42nd Street: Abigail Ross Barlow", AL.com, July 11, 2013 She graduated from the Alabama School of Fine Arts and trained at Birmingham Dance Theatre.Masseron, Meg and Margaret Hall. "Dylan Mulvaney, Abigail Barlow to Join Six on Broadway; Adrianna Hicks, Anna Uzele to Return", Playbill, January 16, 2025
Career 2022–2024 Her album The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, co-written with and produced by, Emily Bear, won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2022. She is also known for her independent pop hit “Heartbreak Hotel,” which peaked at #2 on iTunes and has more than 6.5 million streams. She and Bear were honored by the Songwriters Hall of Fame and named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.Brown, Abram. "From Bella Poarch to a Bridgerton Musical, Meet Forbes' 30 Under 30 in Social Media", Forbes, December 1, 2021 She has more than 2.4 million TikTok followers. Barlow has collaborated with Meghan Trainor, who co-wrote and produced a track on Barlow's self-titled debut EP in 2020 titled Phantom Feelings.
In July 2022, Bear and Barlow performed their Bridgerton album live in concert with the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Steven Reineke, at the Kennedy Center. Guest soloists included Ephraim Sykes, Denée Benton and Kelli O'Hara.Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Solea Pfeiffer, Ephraim Sykes, Kelli O'Hara & More Join The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical Album Live in Concert", BroadwayWorld.com, July 7, 2022 In late July 2022, Netflix sued Barlow and Bear in U.S. federal court for copyright infringement, claiming that they had objected to live concerts of the album.Schwartz, Deanna. "The Netflix v. Unofficial Bridgerton Musical lawsuit, explained", NPR, August 4, 2022; and Haring, Bruce. "Netflix Sues Bridgerton the Musical Creators for Infringement, Seeks Halt to Live Stagings", Deadline, July 29, 2022, accessed July 30, 2022 The company discontinued the lawsuit in September 2022 after a reported settlement.Maddaus, Gene. "Netflix Settles Copyright Lawsuit Over Unofficial Bridgerton Musical", Variety, September 23, 2022
Also in 2022, Barlow and Bear were engaged by Taco Bell to write the music for Mexican Pizza: The Musical, with a book by Hannah Friedman, which featured Doja Cat and Dolly Parton. The satirical musical's true story concerns a fan-favorite item at Taco Bell, Mexican pizza, which was removed from, and later returned to, its menus."Barlow & Bear sign on for Taco Bell inspired TikTok musical", WIFR, May 11, 2022; and Saad, Nardine. "Dolly and Doja? What is happening with Taco Bell’s bizarre Mexican Pizza musical?", Los Angeles Times, May 9, 2022 The musical streamed on Taco Bell's TikTok and YouTube accounts on September 15, 2022.Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Video: Watch Dolly Parton, Barlow & Bear and More in Mexican Pizza: The Musical on TikTok, BroadwayWorld, September 16, 2022
2024–present Barlow and Bear wrote songs for the Disney film Moana 2.Lenker, Maureen Lee. "Beyond the sea: Moana 2's Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson reflect on the unexpected path to their surprise sequel", Entertainment Weekly, September 12, 2024 Two of their songs, "Beyond" and "Can I Get a Chee Hoo?", were nominated for the 2024 Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Original Song in an Animated Film,Grein, Paul. "'Emilia Pérez' Leads 2024 Hollywood Music in Media Awards Nominations: Full List", Billboard, November 6, 2024 and "Beyond" was nominated for a 2025 Society of Composers & Lyricists Award for Outstanding Original Song for a Comedy or Musical Visual Media Production.Pedersen, Erik. "Society of Composers & Lyricists Cues Up 2025 SCL Awards Nominations", Deadline, December 18, 2024 Barlow and Bear are the youngest composers, and the first female writing team for an animated Disney movie.Venkat, Mia, Ari Shapiro, Christopher Intagliata. "Moana 2 songwriters made history as 1st all-female team to lead a Disney soundtrack", NPR, December 6, 2024; Lenker, Maureen Lee. "Beyond the sea: Moana 2's Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson reflect on the unexpected path to their surprise sequel", Entertainment Weekly, September 12, 2024
Barlow made her Broadway debut as Catherine Howard in the musical Six at the Lena Horne Theatre beginning on February 16, 2026.Hall, Margaret. "See the New Queens of Six Take Their 1st Broadway Bows", Playbill, February 17, 2026Moynihan, Caitlin. "Abigail Barlow Is Ushering in the Reign of Girlhood in Six: The Musical on Broadway", Broadway.com, February 26, 2026
References
External links
Barlow and Bear official website