Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn shocked fans when their six-year-long romance came to an end.
The couple called time on their relationship last year as the pop superstar embarked on her sold-out Eras Tour. Many fans didn’t want to believe the rumors at the time as it was reported Taylor and Joe split due to “differences in personalities.” They were first linked together in May 2017 after quietly dating for months.
Fans speculated the former flames had met at the Met Gala the previous year and were soon spotted on several occasions over the course of their relationship. There was also speculation of an engagement at one point as photos for an album cover showed her in a wedding gown.
During their time together, Taylor said she bonded with Joe over “sad songs” and the love of writing depressing tunes together. Mary Queen of Scots actor Joe even featured on Taylor’s two albums, Evermore and Folklore, under the pen name William Bowery. Joe was nominated for a Grammy for Evermore.
At the time of their split, a source told People: “They’ve had rough patches before and always worked things out, so friends thought they would take some time apart but eventually come back together,” before adding that they “just weren’t right for one another.” The insider said Joe and Taylor “had plenty in common” and had fallen in love “in a safe bubble”.
“But he didn’t really ‘know’ her yet outside of that bubble,” the source added. While the Daily Mail reported Joe had struggled with Taylor’s stardom. “The bottom line for the difficulties in their relationship was that Taylor’s career took priority over Joe’s,” an insider said. “This drove them apart and ultimately, they both realised they were not on the same page anymore.”
Soon after their split, Taylor was romantically linked to singer Matty Healy. The rumoured romance however reportedly didn’t last very long and it was said to have ended by June. Since her breakup with Joe, many fans have been trying to find clues in her song lyrics about why their split.
Last year, her track You’re Losing Me was released which appeared to reference a break-up. Lyrics included: “My face was grey but you wouldn’t admit that we were sick. Stop, you’re losing me / I can’t find a pulse, my heart won’t start anymore / For you / Cause you’re losing me.”
She admitted: “And I wouldn’t marry me either / A pathological people pleaser / Who only wanted you to see her.” Taylor announced she is releasing a new album in April, which has reportedly left Joe fearful she will detail their private breakup. The hitmaker is well known for penning many of her hits about her love life.
The title of her new album appears to feature one “undeniable” reference to her ex. Joe has a WhatsApp group chat alongside fellow actors Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott named The Tortured Man Club. When Taylor uploaded the cover artwork which revealed the name to be The Tortured Poets Department, fans rushed to the comments section to speculate over how much of it would be about Joe.
