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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

From Heath Ledger protégé to abuse survivor, Grace Woodroofe perseveres

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Australian musician Grace Woodroofe is releasing a new album detailing her escape from emotional abuse.
  • Her new project, "Rotate On The Ache, Pt.1," chronicles her journey to reclaim her identity and career.
  • Woodroofe previously worked with Heath Ledger's label and released her debut album produced by Ben Harper.

Grace Woodroofe, once a protégé of Heath Ledger, is set to release a new album that chronicles her journey of reclaiming her identity and career after escaping emotional abuse. Her new project, "Rotate On The Ache, Pt.1," marks her first album in a decade.

Heath really nurtured the early parts of my career.

— Grace WoodroofeWoodroofe reflecting on the early support she received from Heath Ledger.

Woodroofe, who was signed to Ledger's label, The Masses, at 17, recalled the early support she received from the late actor. "Heath really nurtured the early parts of my career," she told Double J. After Ledger's passing, blues icon Ben Harper became a significant mentor and support, producing her 2011 debut album, "Always Want," and touring with her extensively.

At 21, while living in the US, Woodroofe met and fell in love with a fellow musician. The relationship, initially rosy, soon revealed red flags of emotional abuse. This turning point is captured in her new song, "A Love That Could Kill." "What do you do when the love is a love that could kill you?" she questions in the gothic-tinged folk track.

When I think about it now, I'm like, 'How did I do that at 17?' It's wild!

— Grace WoodroofeWoodroofe reflecting on her early career start.

"I was with this person for five years, so I had to unlearn a lot of ideas about myself and behaviours," Woodroofe explained. Years of gaslighting and manipulation left her feeling stripped bare, impacting her autonomy, artistic voice, and friendships. "I lost so many relationships; I lost my music career… It took me a long time to [put] myself back together. And I did that through making the music."

What do you do when the love is a love that could kill you?

— Grace WoodroofeWoodroofe describing the theme of her new song 'A Love That Could Kill'.

Despite its heavy subject matter, "Rotate On The Ache" is described as gorgeous listening, moving between intimacy and revelry with Woodroofe's powerful voice at the forefront. Tracks like "Promise of Everything" and "I Love You Babe" showcase her vocal prowess, though the latter hints at darker themes beneath its swooning melody. The album is sequenced to reflect the descent from a budding romance into toxicity.

I was with this person for five years, so I had to unlearn a lot of ideas about myself and behaviours.

— Grace WoodroofeWoodroofe discussing the process of healing after her abusive relationship.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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