If you had "pop-punk princess teams up with a Nashville powerhouse" on your 2024 bingo card, you're doing better than most of us. Honestly, when news first broke that Nate Smith and Avril Lavigne were hanging out, the internet did what it does best: it spiraled. Were they dating? Was it a PR stunt? Was Avril pivoting to country?
The truth is a lot more interesting than just another tabloid headline.
It started with a skateboard and a gas station. In early 2024, paparazzi caught the "Sk8er Boi" singer and the "Whiskey on You" star grabbed dinner in Los Angeles, followed by a late-night skate session in a parking lot. It looked like a date. It smelled like a date. But as it turns out, it was the beginning of one of the most successful genre-bending partnerships we've seen in years.
How Nate Smith Used AI to "Manifest" Avril Lavigne
This is the part of the story that most people miss. Nate Smith didn't just call up Avril’s people. He actually used an AI vocal filter to see if his song "Bulletproof" would even work with her voice.
He basically created a "proof of concept" using technology to mimic her iconic rasp. He told American Songwriter that she didn't even know who he was at first. He sent the track (the one without the AI, thankfully) to her team, and she loved it.
Think about that. The guy literally manifested a collaboration with his childhood idol by using a computer to "hear" her on the track before she even knew it existed. Kind of wild, right?
The Performance That Changed Everything
When they finally took the stage at the 2024 ACM Awards, the energy shifted. Usually, when a pop star "does country," it feels forced. It feels like they’re wearing a costume. But when Avril stepped out in her signature ripped black gear to join Nate for "Bulletproof," it didn't feel like a gimmick.
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Their voices actually fit. Nate has this massive, gravelly arena-country tone, and Avril’s high-energy belt cuts right through it. They looked like they were having the time of their lives. After the set, the rumors about them dating surged again, especially since Nate had mentioned he was dating a "Canadian," though he later cleared the air on The Viall Files, saying they’re just "good friends."
Breaking Down the Songs
They didn't stop at one song. Most artists do a feature and move on. Not these two.
- "Bulletproof" (The Remix): This was the high-octane entrance. It’s a song about trying to outrun heartbreak, and adding Avril’s pop-punk edge made it feel like a crossover hit from the early 2000s.
- "Can You Die From a Broken Heart": This one hits different. Released in late 2024 on Nate’s album California Gold, it’s a massive power ballad. Nate has even said the bridge of the song is a "nod" to Avril’s classic "I’m With You." It’s moody, it’s cinematic, and it’s arguably some of the best vocal work Avril has done in a decade.
Why Country Fans Are Actually Embracing Avril
You might think Nashville would be protective of its borders. But country music has been drifting toward a rock/grunge sound for a while now. Artists like Hardy and Morgan Wallen have opened the door for that distorted guitar sound that Avril pioneered in the early 2000s.
Avril has always said she grew up listening to country. She sang Shania Twain songs at fairs when she was 14. This isn't a new interest for her; it’s a "full circle" moment. For Nate Smith, it’s a massive win. He’s the first artist in history to start a career with three consecutive multi-week No. 1 records, and his collaboration with Avril only cemented his status as a "genre-less" superstar.
The Relationship Rumors vs. Reality
Let's address the elephant in the room. Are they or aren't they?
As of early 2026, both maintain they are strictly friends and collaborators. Nate has been very vocal about his respect for her as a "powerhouse human being." While the skateboard photos in a gas station parking lot looked romantic, they seem to have more of a "creative soulmate" vibe.
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Besides, Avril has been busy with her Greatest Hits era, and Nate is constantly on the road. Sometimes a friendship is just a friendship—even if it produces some of the most emotional music on the charts.
What's Next for the Duo?
Nate Smith is currently riding high on his fourth No. 1 hit, "Fix What You Didn't Break." Meanwhile, Avril continues to prove she can adapt to any landscape she chooses.
If you're looking to dive deeper into their work together, here is what you should do:
- Listen to the bridge of "Can You Die From a Broken Heart": Check if you can hear the "I'm With You" influence Nate mentioned. The "soaring ohs" are a direct tribute.
- Watch the 2024 ACM performance: It’s on YouTube and shows the raw chemistry that started the rumors in the first place.
- Keep an eye on Nate’s 2026 tour dates: There are whispers that Avril might make a surprise appearance at a few major festival stops this summer.
The collaboration between Nate Smith and Avril Lavigne proved that the lines between Nashville and the rest of the music world are almost gone. It’s not about the genre anymore; it’s about whether the song can make you feel something. And if these two have proven anything, it's that they know exactly how to tap into that feeling of heartbreak.