Joe Alwyn is finally speaking on his breakup with Taylor Swift.
More than a year after calling it quits with the pop sensation, Alwyn opened up in a new interview with The Sunday Times. He addressed the end of their relationship, as well as Swift’s new album, The Tortured Poets Department, which features several songs rumored to be about their split.
When asked if he’s listened to TTPD, Alwyn replied, “In thinking on what I was going to say, I would think and hope that anyone and everyone can empathize…This isn’t a direct answer to your question, but just thinking about what I want to talk about. 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.”
Speaking about their breakup, the actor added, “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.”
“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,” Alwyn said. “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 dated for six years before breaking up in April 2023, ahead of the singer’s Eras Tour. They kept much of their relationship out of the spotlight, though Swift did reference the actor in songs dating as far back as 2017’s Reputation. While Swift moved on with NFL star Travis Kelce last summer, Alwyn has kept his dating life under wraps.
“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 told The Sunday Times. He did reveal, however, that he’s doing “really good,” adding: “I feel fortunate to be in a really great place in my life, professionally and personally.”
Maya Ernest is an editor who covers everything from the latest fashion news to features that investigate personal style, social media trends, and thoughtful consumption.