James Devaney/GC Images
James Devaney/GC ImagesMeg Ryan announced last month that she was engaged to her off-again, on-again boyfriend John Mellencamp. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer generally has kept quiet about his relationship with the famous actress, but he opened up a bit about her in an interview that aired this morning on NBC’s Today show.
Asked about his love life, Mellencamp said of Ryan, “I’m engaged at 67 to a very funny woman; funniest woman I ever met.”
As for why it took a while before the couple decided to tie the knot, the singer/songwriter admitted, “One could well imagine I’m not the easiest guy to get along with, so let’s leave it at that.”
Also during the conversation, Mellencamp admitted that he bought an apartment in New York City — where the interview was being conducted — so he could have a place to paint when he came to the Big Apple to visit Ryan.
The couple first dated from 2011 through 2014, then rekindled their romance last year.
Also during the Today interview, Mellencamp also revealed plans for an interesting new project: a stage production based on one of his most famous songs.
“We’re getting ready to mount ‘Jack and Diane’ as a Broadway… musical,” he says. “Every problem that this country’s going through today is in that musical. This is not a jukebox musical. My ambitions are set very high, as close to [John] Steinbeck as we can get it in today’s world, with these two kids.”
John previously tried his hand at musical theater in 2012 with Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, a collaboration with author Stephen King and producer T Bone Burnett.
Mellencamp recently released a new covers compilation called Other People’s Stuff; he’ll promote the album with a U.S. tour kicking off in February.
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