For most of her six-year relationship with Joe Alwyn, Taylor Swift let her music express her emotions. Now, it seems she is allowing her art to share the story of their breakup.
Before she released an album about it, several reports detailed their separation, with sources close to them explaining what happened. The news of their breakup first came out on April 8, 2023, a little over a year ago.
Before Swift’s album The Tortured Poets Department is released, here is everything the public has learned about their breakup from sources and their actions. You can also read their full relationship timeline for a complete history.
Their Relationship Had More Ups and Downs Than People Realized
Swift and Alwyn faced challenges during their time together, but they kept them private. A source told People on April 10, 2023, that they had experienced rough patches before and always managed to work things out. Many believed they would take time apart and later reconcile. However, they eventually realized they were not the right match.
Alwyn Had a Hard Time Handling Swift’s Fame
One of the reasons their relationship did not work was Alwyn’s struggle with the attention that came with dating a global star. At first, this wasn’t a problem because they began dating in 2016 when Swift was staying out of the spotlight. The COVID-19 pandemic also kept them in a private space, allowing their relationship to grow without outside pressure.
A source told People that their relationship felt safe during this time. “They had a lot in common and fell in love while she was taking a break from public life,” the source said.
However, once the pandemic ended, Alwyn found it difficult to adjust to Swift’s fame. Another source told Daily Mail that Alwyn struggled with making a name for himself in Hollywood while dating one of the most famous women in the world.
Swift Had No Bad Feelings Toward Alwyn After the Breakup
After the breakup, sources described their relationship as “friendly.” A source told People on April 10, 2023, that Swift had no bad feelings toward Alwyn. “They just grew apart. Taylor is focusing on her tour now. There is still a lot of respect between them,” the source shared.
Another source told CNN on April 9, 2023, that they planned to remain friends.
Alwyn Still Follows Swift on Instagram, But She Follows No One
After their breakup, Alwyn continued following Swift on Instagram. She never followed him or anyone else on the platform. However, fans noticed that some of Swift’s friends, including Ryan Reynolds, Gigi Hadid, and the Haim sisters, unfollowed Alwyn in April 2023. This made people speculate that there could have been some tension.
Swift Initiated the Breakup in March 2023
Sources reported that Swift was the one who started the conversation about breaking up. On April 11, 2023, a source told Entertainment Tonight that Swift and Alwyn were in different places in life. The source said, “Taylor and Joe realized they weren’t the perfect match. She is very focused on her career now. She hopes they can stay friendly in the future.”
They Discussed Marriage Before Their Breakup
Multiple sources told People that Swift and Alwyn had talked about marriage just months before ending their relationship. In her song “You’re Losing Me,” Swift seemed to hint that Alwyn’s hesitation to propose may have caused some issues.
Alwyn had previously avoided answering engagement questions. In April 2022, he told WSJ that he would never confirm or deny the rumors.
Swift’s Publicist Denied Rumors of a Secret Marriage
In November 2023, Swift’s publicist, Tree Paine, strongly denied claims that Swift and Alwyn had secretly married. The celebrity gossip page DeuxMoi had spread these rumors, but Paine called them false. She wrote, “There was NEVER a marriage or ceremony of ANY kind.”
Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn (Credit: Getty Images)Neither Swift Nor Alwyn Have Spoken About the Breakup Publicly
Swift has not directly spoken about her breakup with Alwyn. The closest she came was through her song “You’re Losing Me.” During a concert in Tampa, a fan held up a sign asking if she was okay, and Swift responded with a thumbs-up.
Alwyn has also remained silent about their split. A source told Daily Mail in February 2024 that Alwyn had no plans to comment on Swift’s album or their breakup. The source said, “Joe has not said anything about Taylor and has remained respectful.”
Swift Now Lives Her Life More Publicly
After the breakup, Swift decided to stop hiding from the public. A source told Us Weekly in October 2023 that she now embraces her true self. In an interview with Time in December 2023, Swift said, “Life is short. Have adventures. I don’t want to waste time hiding.”
Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce is much more public than her time with Alwyn. A source told Page Six that Kelce fully supports her. “Taylor is finally with someone who is excited and proud to be with her,” the source said.
Swift Views Her Love Songs About Alwyn as Part of the “Denial” Stage
Earlier this month, Swift released playlists on Apple Music representing different stages of heartbreak. Fans noticed that most of the songs on her “Denial” playlist were love songs about Alwyn. This included tracks like “Lover” and “Sweet Nothing.”
Swift described this stage by saying, “This is a list of songs about getting so caught up in the idea of something that you miss the red flags.”
Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn’s breakup marked the end of a significant chapter in both their lives. Though their relationship lasted six years, it faced challenges that eventually led to its conclusion. Alwyn struggled with Swift’s immense fame, while Swift realized they were not the right long-term match.
Despite their deep connection and even discussions of marriage, their differences became too significant to ignore. Swift took the initiative to end things, and while the breakup was initially amicable, signs of tension appeared when her close friends unfollowed Alwyn on social media.
Following the split, Swift embraced a more public lifestyle, a stark contrast to her previously private relationships. Her romance with Travis Kelce reflects this shift, as she now prioritizes openness and authenticity in her personal life.
Meanwhile, Alwyn has remained silent, choosing to stay out of the narrative. Swift’s upcoming album, The Tortured Poets Department, is expected to explore their breakup further, providing deeper insight into her emotions.
Looking back, Swift now sees many of her love songs about Alwyn as part of the denial stage of heartbreak. As she moves forward, she continues to express her experiences through music, allowing her art to tell her story.