After 6 years together Taylor Swift’s longest relationship comes to an end. Here’s more on Joe Alwyn and how their love of music brought them together.
On 9 April 2023, Swifties woke up to devastating news that Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn have broken up after six years of dating. The news came as Swift is travelling for her Eras tour.
Over the years, the couple has made an effort to keep their relationship out of the lights of paparazzi and kept details private. Various sources have reported that the split was ‘not dramatic and had just run its course’. The pair have supposedly broken up a few weeks ago, hence why Alwyn has not been spotted in any of Swift’s shows. Coming as a shock to many, it was believed that things were going smoothly between the couple, with even some speculating about an engagement.
Who is Joe Alwyn?
English actor, Joseph Matthew Alwyn made his debut when he was featured in Ang Lee’s war drama, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk. This 32-year-old was born in Tunbridge Wells in England and raised in Tufnell Park and Crouch End of North London. He pursued a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and Drama at the University of Bristol and completed a Bachelor’s in Acting at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama.
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As an actor, he began his career with numerous supporting roles in films such as The Favourite, Operation Finale, Boy Erased and the well-acclaimed drama Mary Queen of Scots, which saw him act alongside Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie. He also played as American abolitionist Harriet Tubman in the biographical drama Harriet. His career continues to grow as he is set to be in the modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s, Hamlet and And.
How did Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn meet?
Many believed that the two first met at the MET Gala in May 2016 when Taylor Swift was dating DJ Calvin Harris. After a year-long relationship, Harris and Swift split in June 2016. Swifties speculate that her song ‘Dress’ from her album Reputation, released in 2017, hinted at the day they met as she writes, ‘’Flashback to when you met me/ Your buzz cut/ And my hair bleached’.
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Joe Alwyn and the importance of privacy
Fans of Alwyn know that the actor tries to keep his life discreet whenever he can. Since 2016, it was apparent that the couple avoided questions regarding the details of their relationship and deflect engagement rumours from the public.
The iconic music duo
From being backstage to attending Swift’s concerts, Alwyn has always been supportive of Swift’s music career.
During the pandemic, he co-wrote multiple songs in sister albums ‘Folklore’ and ‘Evermore’ with the former taking home a Grammy for ‘Album of The Year’ in 2021. During her acceptance speech, Swift gave a shout-out to the actor saying, ‘Joe is the first person that I play every single song that I write, and I had the best time writing songs with you in quarantine.’ He also co-wrote for Swift’s most recent album, ‘Midnight’s’, making all three albums hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums charts.
Writing under the pseudonym William Bowery, it was later revealed that the name was derived from the first name of his great grandfather William Alwyn, who was a music composer, which explains his natural sense of songwriting.
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It is without a doubt that the couple’s bond grew over their love of music. In regards to their love for melancholy music, Swift mentioned that she was surprised they both started writing together. Their love went further to inspire Swifts opening track, ‘Lavender Haze’, which had the underlying message of protecting the love you have from the outside world and all-encompassing love’s glow.
As many continue to speculate what happen between the two, Swift’s documentary, Miss Americana, on Netflix showed her fans a glimpse into her relationship with Alwyn. From providing emotional support backstage to memorable car rides, it will definitely be an end of an unforgettable chapter of both of their lives.
