Joe Alwyn has finally opened up about his breakup with Taylor Swift, more than a year after their split. In a candid interview with The Sunday Times Style Magazine, the British actor shared his thoughts on navigating the end of their long-term relationship and the challenges that came with it.
Alwyn, who was promoting his upcoming film “Kinds of Kindness,” was asked about Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” which many believe is inspired by their breakup. While he didn’t confirm whether he had listened to the album, he did express his feelings about the public nature of their split.
“I would hope that anyone and everyone can empathize and understand the difficulties that come with the end of a long, loving, fully committed relationship of over six and a half years,” Alwyn said. “That is a hard thing to navigate. What is unusual and abnormal in this situation is that, one week later, it’s suddenly in the public domain and the outside world is able to weigh in.”
The actor, who has always been private about his relationship with Swift, emphasized the surreal experience of having their personal lives dissected by the media and public. “So you have something very real suddenly thrown into a very unreal space: tabloids, social media, press, where it is then dissected, speculated on, pulled out of shape beyond recognition,” he explained. “And the truth is, to that last point, there is always going to be a gap between what is known and what is said. I have made my peace with that.”
Alwyn and Swift had mutually decided to keep the details of their relationship private, a decision he continues to stand by. “It was never something to commodify, and I see no reason to change that now,” he stated. Despite the public interest in their relationship, Alwyn remains firm in his commitment to privacy.
During their nearly seven-year relationship, Alwyn and Swift were not just a couple but also collaborators. Alwyn, under the pseudonym William Bowery, co-wrote several songs on Swift’s albums “Folklore” and “Evermore,” including “Exile,” “Betty,” “Champagne Problems,” “Coney Island,” and “Evermore.” His contributions earned him a Grammy when “Folklore” won Album of the Year.
Since their breakup, Swift has moved on and is now in a highly publicized relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Swift made her first appearance at a Chiefs football game in September 2023 and attended several more games, including the Super Bowl, where the Chiefs clinched their second consecutive victory.
Alwyn, on the other hand, has been focusing on his career. In “Kinds of Kindness,” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, Alwyn plays a single father trying to rescue his wife, played by Emma Stone, from a cult. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Jesse Plemons, and Hunter Schafer.
Reflecting on his experience working with Lanthimos and Stone, Alwyn shared, “Even though Yorgos really goes into dark corners in his work, he keeps a light atmosphere on set. It’s the second time I’ve worked with him and with Emily,” he said, referring to Stone by her birth name. “I love them both, and I love working with them, so it felt comfortable.”
Despite the public scrutiny surrounding his past relationship, Alwyn remains focused on his professional and personal growth. “Look, this is also a little over a year ago now, and I feel fortunate to be in a really great place in my life — professionally and personally. I feel really good,” he said.
As for his current dating life, Alwyn chose to keep those details private, given the intense scrutiny he faced during his relationship with Swift. “I’m sure you can appreciate, given the level of noise and scrutiny about my past relationship, why I wouldn’t want to just open the door to things like that right now,” he explained.
Joe Alwyn’s reflections on his breakup with Taylor Swift offer a glimpse into the complexities of navigating a high-profile relationship in the public eye. While he remains private about the specifics, his comments highlight the emotional challenges and the importance of maintaining personal boundaries amidst public interest.
