Taylor Swift’s love life: A cultural obsession but where are her exes now?
It seems as though Taylor Swift has found her happily ever after with Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce. But her past romances have inspired her songwriting and led to some of her biggest hits Did you know that Taylor had relationships with the likes of Harry Styles, Taylor Lautner and Calvin Harris? This is Taylor's dating history.
Taylor Swift’s love life has long been a cultural obsession, dissected in countless headlines, social media threads and fan theories. But what is it about her romantic relationships that captivates the public imagination? Is it her raw, confessional songwriting, where she seamlessly blends personal experiences with universal themes? Or perhaps it’s the mystery and speculation that keeps fans constantly guessing, decoding her every lyric for clues. Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that Taylor Swift’s relationships have become a phenomenon of their own.
It seems Taylor has found her Romeo in NFL star Travis Kelce, but who are all the boys she’s loved before? And where are they now?
Joe Jonas (July 2008 – October 2008):
Joe was Taylor’s first high-profile relationship, and their short-lived romance ended with a now-infamous 27-second phone call. Swift’s song “Forever and Always” chronicles their split, cementing Jonas as the first of Swift’s many muses.
The track had lyrics such as: “Was I out of line? / Did I say something way too honest, made you run and hide / Like a scared little boy.”
In 2019, Joe married ‘Game of Thrones’ actress Sophie Turner. Despite becoming one of Hollywood’s favourite couples and having two children together, they divorced in 2023. Turner reached out to Swift in September while navigating her child custody case with Jonas, with Swift offering the actress a place to stay. Despite this, there is no bad blood between Joe and Taylor; the two have reconciled publicly, with both expressing mutual respect and no hard feelings.
Taylor Lautner (August 2009 – December 2009):
The romance between Swift and ‘Twilight’ star Taylor Lautner, referred to as “Taylor Squared” by fans, was brief but memorable.
Swift’s song 'Back to December' is considered an apology to Lautner, reflecting a rare instance where she regrets a break-up. When Taylor was asked what he thought of the song he laughed: “That’s what she does.”
Lautner is married to Taylor Dome, a nurse and influencer, and he often jokes about their shared first name. The couple tied the knot in 2022 and later attended Swift’s The Eras Tour together after Lautner appeared in the music video for 'I Can See You' from ‘Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)’.
John Mayer (December 2009 – February 2010):
Taylor's intense relationship with John Mayer resulted in the emotionally charged song 'Dear John', in which she dissected what he was like as a boyfriend.
Mayer didn’t take it lightly when Taylor released the song. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he said: "I never got an email. I never got a phone call. I was really caught off guard, and it really humiliated me at a time when I’d already been dressed down. I mean, how would you feel if, at the lowest you’ve ever been, someone kicked you even lower?
"I will say as a songwriter that I think it’s kind of cheap songwriting. I know she’s the biggest thing in the world, and I’m not trying to sink anybody’s ship, but I think it’s abusing your talent to rub your hands together and go, ‘Wait till he gets a load of this!'"
Mayer is currently single, though he’s often linked to various high-profile women. His exes include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Simpson and Katy Perry among others.
Jake Gyllenhaal (October 2010 – January 2011):
It was yet another whirlwind romance that lasted only three months and Taylor's break-up from Jake inspired Taylor's writing for 'Red'.
Jake is believed to be the muse for the song 'All Too Well', and the track's lyrics remain a topic of much discussion among Swifties. The 10-minute version of the song, released in 2021, reignited interest in their brief romance, with fans analysing lyrics for clues about their tumultuous relationship.
Gyllenhaal is currently in a relationship with model Jeanne Cadieu, who he has been dating since 2018.
Harry Styles (December 2012 – January 2013):
Taylor’s relationship with Harry Styles remains iconic, even years after their brief fling ended. Their whirlwind romance, which was documented with paparazzi shots and public appearances, inspired several songs, including 'Out of the Woods' and 'Style'. But there was only one direction for Haylor and that was south.
Styles is now reportedly dating actress Taylor Russell after ending a high-profile relationship with Olivia Wilde in 2022. Now a Grammy Award winning solo artist, Styles continues to excel in both music and film. He and Swift have spoken fondly of each other, and the two share mutual respect for their past. Styles is much loved by Swifties, with fans jokingly referring to themselves as “children of divorce” due to the pair’s split, and some even speculating that a collaboration between them could happen one day.
Calvin Harris (March 2015 – June 2016):
Taylor first met Calvin at the ELLE Style Awards back in February 2015, after she was introduced to the DJ by Ellie Goulding.
After being spotted together in matching outfits in Whole Foods, the couple later confirmed their relationship at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards with a kiss in front of the cameras. The pair stayed in a relationship for over a year and celebrated their anniversary on March 6, 2016. Two months later, however, Calvin abruptly broke things off after accusing Taylor of cheating on him with MCU actor Tom Hiddleston by giving her a taste of her own medicine through his songs.
Taylor later released 'Getaway Car', on which she seemingly admitted to being unfaithful to Calvin.
In 2023, Harris married British presenter Vick Hope.
Tom Hiddleston (June 2016 – September 2016):
Immediately after her break up with Calvin Harris, Swift moved on to 'The Avengers' star after they met at the 2016 Met Gala where they were seen enjoying a dance together.
Taylor's brief but intense romance with Tom was heavily documented by the media, from the "I Heart TS" tank top to their international travels. The relationship ended after a few months, with Swift later referencing it in the fan favourite song 'Getaway Car'.
Hiddleston is now engaged to actress Zawe Ashton, with whom he shares a daughter. The couple keeps their relationship fairly private, and Hiddleston continues to enjoy a successful career in both film and television, most notably for his role as Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Joe Alwyn (September 2016 – April 2023):
Taylor’s six-year relationship with British actor Joe Alwyn was her most private and deeply cherished. They first began dating in 2016 after meeting at the Met Gala that year, with the singer describing the relationship as the "real deal".
Alwyn inspired many of her songs, from ‘Reputation’ to ‘Midnights’. Their split, which ended happened in early 2023, left fans speculating about the reasons behind the break-up.
Alwyn is currently single, focusing on his acting career. He recently appearing in several critically acclaimed films, such as ‘Kinds of Kindness’. Although the two have remained silent about the reason for their split, there’s no doubt that Alwyn left a significant mark on Swift’s discography.
Matty Healy (May 2023 – June 2023):
The 1975 frontman Matty Healy was Swift’s was a very brief relationship. Their whirlwind romance sparked intense speculation but ended just weeks after it began, reportedly due to differing lifestyles and busy schedules.
Healy is currently engaged to model-and-musician Gabbriette. The couple made an announcement via Instagram earlier this year.
Swift and Healy have not commented publicly on their split, leaving fans to speculate on what really happened behind closed doors, a mystery that has only grown with the release of Swift’s latest album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department’.
Taylor's track 'The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived' is believed to be about their short-lived romance.
Why the obsession with Taylor's love life?
So, why does Taylor Swift’s love life fascinate us so much? Part of the intrigue lies in her unique storytelling style. Swift’s music often weaves her personal experiences into universal themes, making listeners feel a deep connection to her stories. Her songs aren’t just about her; they’re about every listener who has ever fallen in love or experienced heartbreak.
Her confessional songwriting style invites fans to speculate and decode the hidden meanings behind her lyrics. Each new relationship adds another layer to the ongoing narrative of her life, encouraging fans to piece together the puzzle of her personal journey.
Then, there’s the cultural impact. As one of the biggest names in music, anything Swift does naturally draws attention. Her relationships are amplified by social media and mainstream media alike, making every romantic entanglement a subject of widespread discussion - something Swift herself has seemingly referenced in songs like 'But Daddy I Love Him' from her most recent album.
Ultimately, the fascination with Taylor’s love life is more than just gossip. It’s a testament to her ability to connect with her audience on a deep, emotional level. Whether she’s singing about heartbreak or new beginnings, Swift uses her personal experiences to create songs that resonate with millions, allowing her fans to find fragments of their own lives in her lyrics. And so, the world watches, listens, and waits for the next chapter in Taylor’s ever-evolving love story.
By Tylar Valentine.
