Inside Matty Healy's surprising and short-lived Taylor Swift romance
Glastonbury headliner The 1975's star Matty Healy and Taylor Swift's romance took fans by a surprise, but their love story spans back over 10 years. Here's how it all unfolded
The whirlwind fling between Taylor Swift and Matty Healy, The 1975's frontman, left fans scratching their heads with more questions than answers after a series of sneaky backstage sightings and intriguing lyrics. But while the public watched every move, the short-lived romance seemed tumultuous, possibly even messier than what met the public eye.
After her split from long-term boyfriend Joe Alwyn, Taylor was suddenly linked to The 1975's Matty Healy – a man whose chaotic reputation couldn't be more different from her understated ex. Matty's presence became immediately noticeable at Taylor's Eras Tour concerts, lip-syncing words like 'This one is about you,' while fans tried to decode glances and gestures between the pair that seemed way too deliberate to be random.
Denise Welch's son Matty, now 36, and singer Taylor, now 35, didn't make it Instagram official, they were far from secretive. In between dinner dates they were snapped by paparazzi and frequent departures from her New York City apartment – and he even performed with Phoebe Bridgers – one of Taylor's close friends – mid-tour. Online, the Swiftie timeline went into overdrive: some were shipping it and some were in total denial.
Taylor Swift and Matty Healy: From flirtation to fallout
It may have only been public for a blip in 2023, but Taylor Swift and Matty Healy's connection reaches back 10 years. Fans are convinced her heartbreak album - The Tortured Poets Department is all about him.
2014 - 2015: Flirty Beginnings
They first met in November 2014 at one of his shows. By December, rumours were swirling they were seeing each other but Healy quickly shut it down as 'fake', insisting they'd only exchanged numbers. 'As much as it'd be amazing for me if it did, unfortunately it didn't,' he said.
In 2016, he downplayed their connection again, calling the idea of dating Swift 'emasculating.' After backlash, Healy clarified he meant being seen as a pop star's boyfriend before being recognised for his own music and stressed he had 'a lot of respect and admiration for her.'
2023: Taylor 'madly in love' with Matty
Things went quiet until early 2023 - then Swift shocked fans by performing a surprise set at The 1975's London show in January. By April, she had split from long-term boyfriend Joe Alwyn. Just weeks later, it appeared she and Healy were on.
Healy jetted in to watch her Eras Tour shows, with fans spotting both of them mouthing 'This one's about you… I love you' on stage. They were pictured holding hands, cuddling at NYC hotspots, and kissing at members-only club Zero Bond.
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'She and Matty are madly in love,' claimed a source at the time. 'It's super-early days, but it feels right.'
While dating reports swirled, Taylor gushed about her happiness during a concert, telling her Eras tour fans in May: 'I've just never been this happy in my life, in all aspects of my life, ever before,' adding that 'it's not just the tour.'
Why did Matty and Taylor split?
But by June, it was over. A source close to Taylor confirmed she was 'single' and not in contact with him anymore. It was claimed the pair broke up due to busy schedules and incompatibility.
A source told Entertainment Tonight at the time: "Taylor and Matty broke up. They are both extremely busy and realized they're not really compatible with each other.
"Taylor's friends want what's best for her and aren't shocked that their relationship fizzled out since she recently got out of a long-term relationship."
As the pair began dating, Healy wasn't touring but he later set off on a mammoth European tour which meant he was no longer able to visit Taylor for dates in between her Eras tour gigs.
2024: Tortured Poets and Lyrical Fallout
When Swift's album The Tortured Poets Department dropped in April 2024, fans immediately clocked apparent references to Healy – especially on 'Guilty as Sin?', 'The Black Dog,' and 'But Daddy I Love Him.' She seemed to paint their short fling as chaotic, obsessive and misunderstood.
When asked about being the subject of a diss track, Healy shrugged: 'Oh, I haven't really listened to that much of it, but I'm sure it's good.'
Later that year, he told a podcast he wouldn't be writing about her, saying: 'I would kind of just be lying if I made a record about my casual romantic liaisons just because I was famous.'
2025: Matty's subtle nods to Taylor in upcoming music
Despite his previous remarks, whispers are now circulating that The 1975's forthcoming sixth album might contain subtle nods to Swift. Whether he's preparing to respond or maintain his silence, one thing is certain - their story might not be over just yet.
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