Sara Bareilles and Rufus Wainwright: A Stunning Perfomance of She Used To Be Mine at The Kennedy Center

Rufus Wainwright and Sara Bareilles redefine magic with their breathtaking performance of ‘She Used to Be Mine’—watch it on repeat!

The first time I heard “She Used to Be Mine” by Sara Bareilles, written for Waitress, it felt like someone had reached into my chest, grabbed hold of my heart, and gave it a squeeze. I wasn’t alone in that feeling—this song skyrocketed to iconic status, becoming a staple theater ballad, endlessly covered by everyone from Grammy winners to neighborhood karaoke stars. But, let’s be honest, after hearing it everywhere for years, its shine started to dull a bit for me. Until today. Today, it hit me all over again, and yep, I cried.  

Now, let’s talk about Rufus Wainwright. I’ve loved him forever—except for that slightly awkward run-in after a MusicCares dinner. (Look, maybe he was tired, and honestly, who cares? Because when Rufus sings? My knees buckle. Every. Single. Time.)  

This time, Rufus teamed up with Sara Bareilles at The Kennedy Center, and let me tell you, it brought me to tears. Rufus could’ve sung the whole song solo, and it would’ve been iconic. But their voices blended so perfectly that, along with the National Symphony Orchestra, it instantly became the version of “She Used to Be Mine,” in my opinion. Hands down. No contest. I’m officially obsessed.  

Do yourself a favor and watch their full Next at the Kennedy Center performance below. Then watch it again. And again…  

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