Blab Music
Role Model Debuts Love I You With Mystery Voice, Fans Guess Dakota Johnson
When Role Model’s new single Love I You hit the airwaves, it did more than add a fresh track to his catalog—it sparked a flurry of speculation about the voice behind its haunting bridge.
On August 4, 2026, the musician—real name Tucker Pillsbury—appeared on Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe show to preview the song that will close out his forthcoming album Chuck Timely & The Hourglass. Lowe asked whether the distinctive voice heard in the bridge belonged to actress Dakota Johnson, a name that has been linked to Pillsbury since January. Pillsbury laughed, replying that the voice was actually DJ Khaled—a comment that was widely interpreted as a joke. He added that the track’s backing vocals came from a group of female friends, describing the session as a “Bachelorette party” of women.
The artist explained how the song evolved from a simple guitar‑written verse to a layered, “swung” arrangement. Pillsbury said he began with chords that felt familiar, then shifted the groove to a “drunk” vibe, quipping, “When we got to the end, I was like, ‘This feels like a drunk. I want it to feel drunk a little bit.’” The final texture was achieved by recording the friends’ voices in an informal, party‑like setting, which he noted gave the bridge its distinct character.
Love I You is the fourth track on Chuck Timely & The Hourglass, Pillsbury’s second studio album after 2024’s Kansas Anymore. The record will be released by Interscope Records on August 7, 2026, and will join the artist’s earlier releases—Arizona (2017 EP), Rx (2022), and Kansas Anymore—in a catalog that has steadily grown in both ambition and audience reach.
The speculation that Dakota Johnson’s voice appears in the song stems from the vocal quality, which many listeners described as familiar. Johnson, born in 1989, is best known for her roles in the Fifty Shades trilogy and other films, and she has not publicly confirmed any relationship with Pillsbury. Pillsbury’s personal life has attracted media attention in recent years; he was previously in a relationship with YouTuber Emma Chamberlain, ending in 2023, and has been linked to Johnson since early 2026, though neither party has issued a statement. Johnson’s most recent public relationship was with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, ending in 2025.
No official statement has been released by Interscope or Pillsbury’s management regarding the identity of the voice in Love I You. The artist’s comments suggest that the voice is not a guest feature but rather a contribution from friends. The single will appear on the album’s track list, and the rest of the songs are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks. No tour dates or promotional appearances have been announced, but fans can expect the track to be available on all major streaming platforms on August 7.
The release of Love I You and the surrounding speculation underscore the continued interest in Pillsbury’s creative collaborations and personal life. As the album drops, listeners will be able to confirm the vocal contributors and assess the track’s place within the artist’s evolving discography.
On August 4, 2026, the musician—real name Tucker Pillsbury—appeared on Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe show to preview the song that will close out his forthcoming album Chuck Timely & The Hourglass. Lowe asked whether the distinctive voice heard in the bridge belonged to actress Dakota Johnson, a name that has been linked to Pillsbury since January. Pillsbury laughed, replying that the voice was actually DJ Khaled—a comment that was widely interpreted as a joke. He added that the track’s backing vocals came from a group of female friends, describing the session as a “Bachelorette party” of women.
The artist explained how the song evolved from a simple guitar‑written verse to a layered, “swung” arrangement. Pillsbury said he began with chords that felt familiar, then shifted the groove to a “drunk” vibe, quipping, “When we got to the end, I was like, ‘This feels like a drunk. I want it to feel drunk a little bit.’” The final texture was achieved by recording the friends’ voices in an informal, party‑like setting, which he noted gave the bridge its distinct character.
Love I You is the fourth track on Chuck Timely & The Hourglass, Pillsbury’s second studio album after 2024’s Kansas Anymore. The record will be released by Interscope Records on August 7, 2026, and will join the artist’s earlier releases—Arizona (2017 EP), Rx (2022), and Kansas Anymore—in a catalog that has steadily grown in both ambition and audience reach.
The speculation that Dakota Johnson’s voice appears in the song stems from the vocal quality, which many listeners described as familiar. Johnson, born in 1989, is best known for her roles in the Fifty Shades trilogy and other films, and she has not publicly confirmed any relationship with Pillsbury. Pillsbury’s personal life has attracted media attention in recent years; he was previously in a relationship with YouTuber Emma Chamberlain, ending in 2023, and has been linked to Johnson since early 2026, though neither party has issued a statement. Johnson’s most recent public relationship was with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, ending in 2025.
No official statement has been released by Interscope or Pillsbury’s management regarding the identity of the voice in Love I You. The artist’s comments suggest that the voice is not a guest feature but rather a contribution from friends. The single will appear on the album’s track list, and the rest of the songs are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks. No tour dates or promotional appearances have been announced, but fans can expect the track to be available on all major streaming platforms on August 7.
The release of Love I You and the surrounding speculation underscore the continued interest in Pillsbury’s creative collaborations and personal life. As the album drops, listeners will be able to confirm the vocal contributors and assess the track’s place within the artist’s evolving discography.
