Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn have ended their relationship after six years together, People and Entertainment Tonight report.
According to ET, the couple broke up a few weeks ago. “It was not dramatic,” a source told the publication. “The relationship had just run its course. It’s why [Alwyn] hasn’t been spotted at any shows.”
It’s true, the Catherine Called Birdy actor has been noticeably absent from Swift’s Eras Tour since it began on March 17 in Glendale, Arizona. But his presence—or rather, the lack thereof—seemed understandable considering the two were notoriously private about their relationship.
“It’s not really [because I] want to be guarded and private; it’s more a response to something else,” Alwyn told Elle U.K. last year when asked about it. “We live in a culture that is so increasingly intrusive…. The more you give—and frankly, even if you don’t give it—something will be taken.”
And even though Alwyn and Swift didn’t speak much about their relationship publicly, he has inspired several songs by the artist. Most recently, Swift’s hit single “Lavender Haze” is thought to be about their desire to keep their romance away from outside noise.
Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn in 2019 in New York City. Robert Kamau
“I guess, theoretically, when you’re in the lavender haze you’ll do anything to stay there and not let people bring you down off of that cloud,” Swift said in an Instagram video about the song.
I think a lot of people have to deal with this now, not just ‘public figures,’ because we live in the era of social media, and if the world finds out that you’re in love with somebody they’re going to weigh in on it. Like my relationship for six years, we’ve had to dodge weird rumors, tabloid stuff and we just ignore it. This song is sort of about the act of ignoring that stuff to protect the real stuff.”
