Taylor Swift has a reputation for writing songs about her past relationships, and her ex-boyfriends have had varying responses to being featured in her music. Joe Alwyn, who dated Swift for over six years, recently addressed their breakup in an interview, emphasizing the difficulties that come with the end of a long relationship and the intrusion of the public sphere into their private lives. He maintained a diplomatic approach, emphasizing the importance of keeping certain aspects of their relationship private and not commodifying it for public consumption.
Other ex-boyfriends, such as Matty Healy and Harry Styles, have taken different approaches to being referenced in Swift’s songs. Healy has downplayed his involvement, stating that he has not listened to much of the music, while Styles has expressed gratitude for the experience and the inspiration behind the songs. Jake Gyllenhaal has been in denial about his role in the song “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” claiming that it is about Swift’s relationship with her fans. Calvin Harris, who dated Swift following her breakup with Styles, has expressed discomfort with the public attention their relationship received.
John Mayer, one of Swift’s earliest high-profile relationships, has had a more contentious history with Swift’s music, criticizing the song “Dear John” as cheap songwriting. However, in recent years, he has expressed a more positive outlook, even joking that he hopes some of Swift’s songs are about him. Taylor Lautner, who dated Swift when they were teenagers, has taken a lighthearted and fun approach to being featured in her music, acknowledging the songs and even making jokes about the experience.
Tom Hiddleston, who briefly dated Swift in 2016, has been more gracious about their relationship and the songs that may have been inspired by it. He has praised Swift as an amazing woman and seems open to the idea of being featured in her music. Joe Jonas, another of Swift’s teenage exes, has maintained a friendly relationship with her, acknowledging that writing songs about each other comes with the territory of being musicians. As for Swift’s current relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce, it remains to be seen whether it will inspire new music or if she has found happiness without the need to turn it into art.
