Josh Freese’s wife, Nicole Freese, recently looked back on her tumultuous 2025 in a candid Instagram post that addressed her husband’s exit from Foo Fighters. In her reflection, she candidly described the emotional peaks and valleys of the year, placing special emphasis on how Josh’s dismissal from the band unfolded.
“Wow, 2025 … you were by far one interesting year! If someone had told me half of what would happen, I never would’ve believed them!” she wrote. “Some of it was not so fun, some of it was really, really great and some of it lived in that strange in-between space where it didn’t feel good – but it wasn’t exactly bad either, if that makes sense?”
Nicole went on to outline the more difficult moments she faced, including the sudden nature of her husband’s departure from Foo Fighters.
“Lowlights: Perimenopause officially passing the baton to menopause… and everything that comes with that,” she continued. “Spending most of the year feeling like I was hanging off the edge of a cliff with one hand. Watching my best friend get blindsided by a very public firing from a job he’d been praised for.”
Despite the challenges, she also highlighted several bright spots from the year, many of which centered on Josh’s continued musical success.
“Highlights: Fully embracing not giving a f*ck. Being included in 2 art shows with Punkrock & Paintbrushes. So much time with people I love. Lots of travel,” she said. “My best friend being asked to play again with one of the best bands around. My best friend also getting to play with some of my other favorite artists.”
Nicole’s remarks suggest that Josh Freese was taken by surprise when he was let go from Foo Fighters, especially given the positive feedback he had received for his contributions.
Her comments add context to what many fans have viewed as one of the more baffling exits in recent rock history, particularly considering Freese’s role during a critical chapter for the band. According to The A.V. Club, Josh joined Foo Fighters in 2023, stepping in two years after the death of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins. He performed on the band’s 2023 album But Here We Are and helped stabilize the group as they navigated a period of rebuilding after Hawkins’ passing.
Loudwire later reported that Josh revealed in May that Foo Fighters informed him they were “going in a different direction with their drummer,” without providing further explanation. The sudden decision left Freese and those close to him struggling to make sense of the move.
In follow-up interviews, Blabbermouth noted that Freese said he still has “no reason” for why he was dismissed, adding that while he has “a couple of theories,” he has chosen not to share them publicly. Even so, he has spoken fondly of his time with the band, saying he “loved” the experience and appreciated the two years he spent with Foo Fighters both onstage and behind the scenes. Not long after his departure, Freese quickly moved forward, joining Nine Inch Nails as their drummer, while Ilan Rubin transitioned from Nine Inch Nails to Foo Fighters.
