How Taylor Swift Is Handling Her Relationship With Joe Alwyn Post-Breakup
In the 48 hours since news of Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn’s breakup broke, very limited information has come out about what happened beyond Entertainment Tonight‘s initial report. People confirmed the couple of six years’ split through a source close to Alwyn and Swift. And a source close to Swift spoke out to CNN about what happened—and what Swift’s relationship with Alwyn will be like going forward. Yes, she still plans to have one.
The source told the outlet yesterday, “Taylor and Joe broke up a few weeks ago. They simply grew apart and plan to remain friends.”
This is the second quote from a source to come out about the split. The first told Entertainment Tonight on Saturday that the breakup happened, explaining it was “not dramatic.”
Entertainment Tonight‘s source said, “The relationship had just run its course. It’s why [Alwyn] hasn’t been spotted at any shows.”
Neither Swift, Alwyn, nor their reps have commented on the news yet.
Swift fans, meanwhile, noticed Swift may have given some hints during her last Eras tour show in Arlington, Texas, the first weekend of April. Swift had a break from concerts this past weekend and was seen filming a music video in Liverpool, England.
Fans noticed that Swift changed her set list that week in Texas, swapping the Folklore song “Invisible String,” widely believed to be about Alwyn and their love being fated, with “The 1,” a breakup song from the same album. (Sample lyric: “But we were something, don’t you think so? / Roaring twenties, tossing pennies in the pool / And if my wishes came true / It would’ve been you / In my defense, I have none / For never leaving well enough alone / But it would’ve been fun / If you would’ve been the one.”) The song’s co-writer Aaron Dessner confirmed to Vulture in July 2020, by the way, that the song wasn’t about Swift. “It’s clear that ‘the 1’ is not written from her perspective,” he said. “It’s written from another friend’s perspective.”
Folklore, of course, was Swift’s album that contained fictional songs.
As she put it in her letter introducing the work, “A tale that becomes folklore is one that is passed down and whispered around. Sometimes even sung about. The lines between fantasy and reality blur and the boundaries between truth and fiction become almost indiscernible. Speculation, over time, becomes fact. Myths, ghost stories, and fables. Fairytales and parables. Gossip and legend. Someone’s secrets written in the sky for all to behold. In isolation my imagination has run wild and this album is the result, a collection of songs and stories that flowed like a stream of consciousness.”
Swift also wore a shirt that said, “We Are Never Getting Back Together Like Ever” during the March 31 Texas show, which could easily just be an homage to the Red era song. But Swift is famous for dropping easter eggs, so fans read into it given outlets reported that Swift and Alwyn broke up a few weeks ago:
Taylor Swift performing on March 31, 2023 in Arlington, Texas
Other Swift fans noted that Swift appeared more emotional performing “Champagne Problems” from Evermore, a song that she and Alwyn wrote together about a woman rejecting her partner’s proposal because she wasn’t ready for marriage. Again, Swift and Alwyn were very much together when Evermore was made, and Evermore was additional songs from Folklore era that are also a blend of real and fictional.
All reports, while limited, so far indicate that Swift and Alwyn’s relationship ended amicably, having just run its course. Swift’s next concert is this weekend in Tampa, Florida; time will tell if she chooses to address the news during her performances this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday there.
Senior News and Strategy Editor
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she’s not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.
