Taylor Swift And Matty Healy's Rekindled Romance Rumors Explained
When news broke of Taylor Swift's split from Joe Alwyn (aka William Bowery) in April 2023, the internet exploded. As one viral tweet put it, "taylor swift breaking up with the person she wrote peace about has the potential to be absolutely catastrophic for the girls." On TikTok, another Swifty wrote, "I love how happy she looks every time she breaks up with men," sharing photos of the "Cardigan" singer post-break-up.
Swift and Alwyn reportedly hit it off at the 2016 Met Gala (internet detectives have used her song "Dress" as "evidence"), and their relationship was confirmed in 2017. Over their six years together, Alwyn inspired hits like "Gorgeous," "Peace," and, most famously, "Lover." Under the pen name William Bowery, he was even credited as a collaborator on her last three albums. Although their relationship appeared to be going strong, the "Conversations With Friends" star was reportedly uncomfortable with Swift's massive success and lack of privacy. As one anonymous source told People, "Joe has struggled with Taylor's level of fame and the attention from the public." Although they're still on good terms (according to the aforementioned source), several of Swift's famous friends like Ryan Reynolds, Gigi Hadid, and the Haim sisters unfollowed Alwyn on Instagram. Could there be some bad blood?
If recent paparazzi photos are any evidence, Taylor Swift has moved on. The singer has been spotted with The 1975's lead singer, Matty Healy. Here's what we know about the musicians' rumored romance.
Matty Healy and Taylor Swift have been friends for a decade
This isn't the first time Matty Healy and Taylor Swift have sparked dating rumors. In 2014, the "Shake it Off" singer met Healy backstage after one of his concerts and continued to publicly support his career, attending 1975 shows with members of her famous "girl squad." In a Shazam Top 20 interview, Healy addressed relationship rumors. "We met each other. We exchanged numbers in the same way a lot of people in this kind of world do," he explained adding that, although he "wouldn't say no" to Swift, they never actually dated. By 2016, the "Lavender Haze" singer was linked to DJ Calvin Harris, and she and Alwyn were an item by 2017. At the time, it seemed like a Swift-Healy romance wasn't meant to be.
However, according to the lead singer, he teamed up with Swift on her 2022 album, "Midnights." Although Healy's contributions weren't featured in the final product, the pop star went on to perform "Anti-hero" on stage at 1975 show in January 2023. "This is about you. You know who you are. I love you," Swift seemed to mouth to the camera during a performance in Nashville in early May (via Cosmopolitan). The clincher? Matty Healy also appeared to mouth the same words just a few days before while onstage with The 1975.
Since Swift's split from Alwyn, the duo has been spotted holding hands and going to dinner with producer Jack Antonoff. Matty Healy even opened for Swift alongside Boygenius. The evidence is stacking up...
Matty Healy has a problematic past (and present)
While Matty Healy and Taylor Swift haven't publicly confirmed a relationship, a source told The U.S. Sun the rumored couple is happy. "They are both massively proud and excited about this relationship and, unlike Taylor's last one — which was very much kept out of the spotlight, deliberately — she wants to 'own' this romance, and not hide it away," they said.
Some fans are not happy with Swift's rumored beau, though. Matty Healy has been repeatedly criticized for sexist, anti-Semitic, and racist behavior, notes Insider. During an episode of "The Adam Friedland Show," Healy engaged in a bigoted conversation surrounding the popular rapper Ice Spice. Although he's since apologized for that incident. Healy admits he doesn't care about being canceled. "I'm not worried about that; it's just a funny thing," he told Rolling Stone UK. The lead singer is also known for kissing fans in the audience during his shows and engaging in otherwise problematic on-stage behavior.
"She doesn't care, and to me that speaks such volumes," said one disappointed Reddit user of Swift.