Joe Alwyn has finally broken his silence about his breakup with Taylor Swift in a candid interview with The Sunday Times. The British actor, who dated the pop superstar for over six years, shared his thoughts on their relationship and the aftermath of their split, which became public in April 2023.
Alwyn and Swift’s breakup was a significant moment for fans and the media alike. By September 2023, Swift had moved on and was publicly dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. This rapid shift in her romantic life added fuel to the public’s curiosity and speculation.
Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” has been a topic of much discussion. Fans believe the album’s title is a nod to a WhatsApp group called The Tortured Man Club, which Alwyn shares with actors Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott. When asked if he had listened to the album, Alwyn chose to sidestep the question.
“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.”
Alwyn elaborated on the challenges of having a private relationship thrust into the public eye. “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. 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.”
He emphasized that he and Swift had mutually decided to keep the details of their relationship private. Despite the public’s interest, Alwyn sees no reason to change that stance. Songs like “So Long, London” and “loml” are rumored to be about him, but he declined to discuss the breakup or his current dating life further. “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.
Alwyn also touched on his professional life, particularly his work with director Yorgos Lanthimos on the film “Kinds of Kindness.” In the movie, Alwyn plays a single father trying to rescue his wife, played by Emma Stone, from a cult. This marks his second collaboration with Lanthimos, following their work on the 2018 film “The Favourite.”
“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,” Alwyn said, referring to Stone by her birth name. “I love them both and I love working with them, so it felt comfortable.”
Reflecting on his breakup with Swift, Alwyn noted that it was a challenging experience, especially given the public scrutiny. “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,” he said. “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. 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’s relationship, which began in 2016, was kept largely out of the public eye. They rarely made public appearances together and spoke about each other sparingly in interviews. Swift did, however, open up about their relationship in her Netflix documentary, “Miss Americana.”
Despite the breakup, Alwyn said he is in a good place both professionally and personally. “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 Swift, she has moved on with Travis Kelce, and fans speculate that some songs on “The Tortured Poets Department” are about him. Alwyn, however, remains focused on his career and personal growth, choosing to keep the details of his private life under wraps.
In addition to their romantic relationship, Alwyn and Swift collaborated on music. Alwyn, under the pseudonym William Bowery, co-wrote several songs on Swift’s albums “Folklore,” “Evermore,” and “Midnights.” He even won a Grammy for his contributions to “Folklore,” which won Album of the Year in 2021.
Alwyn’s decision to speak out about his breakup with Swift offers a rare glimpse into the private life of a couple who managed to keep much of their relationship out of the public eye. As he continues to navigate his career and personal life, Alwyn remains committed to maintaining his privacy and focusing on what lies ahead.
