Before Taylor Swift was swept up in a globe-trotting romance with Travis Kelce, she was in a long-term relationship with British actor Joe Alwyn.
The pair reportedly met at the 2016 Met Gala, and went on to maintain a private romance for six years. Amid their relationship, they faced many rumors and became musical collaborators, before, as ET exclusively reported, they officially called it quits in the spring of 2023.
While a source told ET that the breakup was „not dramatic“ and „the relationship had just run its course,“ the news was a shock to the couple’s fans.
Now, with the release of the singer’s new album, The Tortured Poets Department, ET is taking a look back at Swift and Alwyn’s full relationship timeline.
May 2016
Though no one knew it at the time, it’s likely that Swift and Alwyn met at the 2016 Met Gala. The singer was in a relationship with Tom Hiddleston when she stepped out for the event, but it may have also marked the first time she met Alwyn.
Fans speculated on that fact when Swift released her 2017 song, „Dress.“ The track includes the lines „Flashback when you met me / Your buzzcut and my hair bleached.“ The lyrics perfectly describe the former couple’s looks at the Met Gala.
October 2016
Swift and Hiddleston called it quits in September, and the singer moved on with Alwyn the next month. That fact was only revealed years later, in August 2019, when Swift released her Lover diaries. In one entry from January 2017, Swift reflects on her then-publicly unknown relationship with Alwyn, whom she had been dating for three months.
„I’m essentially based in London hiding out trying to protect us from the nasty world that just wants to ruin things,“ Swift wrote with regard to her British beau. „We have been together and no one has found out for 3 months now. I want it to stay that way because I don’t want anything about this to change or become complicated or intruded upon. But it’s serveless to worry about someday not being happy when I am happy now.“
May 2017
One year after their rumored first meeting, Swift and Alwyn were publicly linked in the press for the first time, with The Sun reporting their relationship.
June 2017
The month after Swift and Alwyn were first linked, they were photographed together for the first time. The duo was caught boarding a private plane together. Later, photographers captured the pair enjoying a cup of coffee in Nashville.
November 2017
Fans got their first real insight into Swift and Alwyn’s relationship on Nov. 10 when the singer released her sixth studio album, Reputation.
One lyric on the album referenced Alwyn’s „ocean blue eyes,“ while lines including „My reputation’s never been worse / So you must like me for me,“ „All eyes on us / You make everyone disappear,“ and „I want to wear his initial on a chain around my neck / Not because he owns me, but because he really knows me“ seemed to hint at their relationship.
December 2017
The duo spent the last month of 2017 displaying some PDA. They held hands in New York City, before dancing the night away at a concert.
March 2018
The same month that the couple was spotted holding hands during a hike, Swift got fans talking with two Alwyn-themed Easter eggs in her music video for „Delicate.“ In the video, Swift wears a J-initial necklace and Alwyn’s first name is seen in a sign in the background.
July 2018
Swift opted to forego her typical Fourth of July party in favor of vacationing with her beau in Turks and Caicos. The pair swam in the ocean and walked hand-in-hand on the beach during their getaway.
August 2018
Alwyn got fans talking when he made his Instagram account public. After the move, fans discovered a post from the actor that closely mirrored a picture Swift had previously shared.
Later in 2018, Alwyn opened up about the surprise fascination into that post, telling British GQ, „I didn’t even think of that until I was in New York and someone else mentioned it. It wasn’t purposeful at all!“.
The couple continued the month with a London date night, before Swift shared what inspired Reputation during a fan event.
September 2018
In an interview with British Vogue, Alwyn offered some of his first comments about his relationship with Swift. „I’m aware people want to know about that side of things,“ he said. „I think we have been successfully very private and that has now sunk in for people… but I really prefer to talk about work.“
Alwyn’s interview came the same month that Swift publicly supported the actor by attending the premiere of his movie, The Favourite. She continued the love two months later by posting about the film on Instagram.
October 2018
As Swift got political for the first time in her career, Alwyn expressed his support for his girlfriend. „I think it’s great. I think it’s important,“ he told reporters.
Years later, Swift credited Alwyn with giving her the courage to get political.
„I found myself talking about government and the presidency and policy with my boyfriend [Alwyn], who supported me in speaking out,“ she told Vanity Fair in February 2021. „I started talking to my family and friends about politics and learning as much as I could about where I stand. I’m proud to have moved past fear and self-doubt, and to endorse and support leadership that moves us beyond this divisive, heartbreaking moment in time.“
January 2019
The month after the couple made headlines for stepping out with Alwyn’s family, they were once again in the spotlight when the Golden Globes rolled around.
When ET spoke with Alwyn ahead of the ceremony, he weighed in on the possibility of an onscreen collaboration with Swift. „It’s not planned at the moment, but who knows?“ he said.
Later that night, the couple was spotted displaying PDA at an after-party.
Shortly thereafter, Alwyn told Mr. Porter why he didn’t consider himself to be „strangely private“ about his relationship with Swift.
„I don’t think more than anyone else,“ he said. „I don’t think anyone you meet on the streets would just spill their guts out to you, therefore why should I? And then that is defined as being ’strangely private.‘ Fine. But I don’t think it is. I think it’s normal.“
February 2019
The awards season sightings continued into February, when Swift attended a BAFTAs after-party with Alwyn. The couple stepped out again after the Oscars, attending Vanity Fair’s annual bash together.
August 2019
Alwyn got fans talking when he made his Instagram account public. After the move,