Ed Sheeran, a renowned pop star, recently joined forces with the ultimate rom-com director to create his latest music video. This partnership has sparked much interest and curiosity among fans and the media alike. In an interview with Variety on December 11th, Sheeran, who is 33 years old, opened up about the creative process and the significance of this collaboration.

Uniting Pop and Rom-Com in a Musical Masterpiece

Background and Longstanding History

Ed Sheeran and Richard Curtis, the 68-year-old director of "Love Actually," have a rich history together. According to the publication, Sheeran's first girlfriend even babysat Curtis' kids. Over the years, they have collaborated on several projects, including Comic Relief and the 2017 film "Yesterday." This connection laid the foundation for their latest venture.There is a sense of familiarity and trust between them that has allowed them to create something truly special. Their shared experiences and mutual respect have paved the way for this unique collaboration.

The Making of "Under the Tree"

When Curtis was working on his TV special "That Christmas" available on Netflix, he approached Sheeran with an opportunity. He asked if Sheeran wanted to write the music for the special, and Sheeran readily agreed. However, there was one scene for which he wrote a chorus but didn't hear back for two years.After a long wait, Curtis reached out to Sheeran again and asked him to finish the song titled "Under the Tree." Originally intended to be an animated musical, "That Christmas" evolved into an animated feature based on Curtis' children's books. This change in direction added a new dimension to the project.Sheeran's decision to write his first sad Christmas song was a significant one. He explained, "It's the one thing I've wanted to write. I'd never seen the need [to write] a sad Christmas song until writing this one…this is quite a lot of people's realities at Christmas." His songwriting skills truly shine in this emotional piece.

The Director's Vision and Casting

According to Variety, Curtis had a clear vision for the "Sliding Doors-like" story and came up with the idea of casting Bridgerton star Claudia Jessie. Sheeran shared his experience of filming the video just 10 minutes away from his house, with his mate's mum as an extra. This added a personal touch to the production.Curtis hoped that the music video would match Sheeran's "gorgeous song." He believed that the lyrics were lyrically magical and would unlock a critical moment in the film, evoking layered emotions that go beyond what is seen on screen and filling viewers with longing and hope.The release of "That Christmas" on December 4th marked the culmination of this collaborative effort. It has received widespread attention and praise for its unique blend of pop and rom-com elements.Ed Sheeran's latest music video is a testament to the power of collaboration and the ability to create something extraordinary by bringing together different creative minds. It has captured the hearts of audiences and is sure to become a classic in the world of music and film.