'I Hope People See My Heart First'

The This Is Us star star bares her soul in her new children's book and accompanying inspirational album

INTOUCH with... CHRISSY METZ

It’s a brand-new chapter for Chrissy Metz. In the year and a half since This Is Us wrapped its six-season run, the 43-year-old actress has released her first children’s book, the New York Times bestseller When I Talk to God, I Talk About You, and an accompanying album called Prayed for This Day, which is eligible for a 2023 Grammy Award. “Music is my first love,” says the former preschool teacher, whose latest projects were inspired by her desire to help kids feel more confident. “I hope people see my heart first. I’m sharing my soul and my spirit in a way that I hope can really impact people.” Here, the newly single star — she and her boyfriend of three years, Bradley Collins (who co-wrote the book and album with Chrissy), announced their split in early October — talks to In Touch about branching out, her recent breakup and the advice she’d give her younger self.

Tell us more about your book and album.