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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Dominique Hines

Taylor Swift's ex Matty Healy felt 'blindsided' being targeted in The Tortured Poets Department

Matty Healy is said to have been "completely blindsided" by his ex Taylor Swift singing about him in her album The Tortured Poets Department.

The 1975 rocker, 35, famously dated the 34-year-old Grammy winner for a brief period last year and seemingly took aim at him on her record-breaking 11th studio album, which dropped on April 19. 

"He loves the attention it's brought to him, [but] he also thinks it's hilarious because at no time [were they] ever serious," a source said, before adding that he was "blindsided" by the move.  

In one of the tracks titled, Loml, Swift sings: "You s**t-talked me under the table, talking rings and talking cradles...

"You and I go from one kiss to getting married/Still alive, killing time at the cemetery/Never quite buried/In your suit and tie, in the nick of time."

Swift and Healy dated briefly in 2023 (Claude Yao Sahi @hijoshotit / Shutterstock)

The source explained: "For her to be saying things about baby carriages… and living together- he says it had never even come up [between them]. He's taking it in his stride," they added to Us Weekly.

The pop star, who also appeared to be referencing Healy in her song, Fortnite, was first romantically linked to the rocker in April 2023 - the same month it was confirmed that she split with boyfriend of six years, Joe Alwyn.

The following month, Swift and Healy were spotted together in New York City looking all loved up as they held hands heading into a recording studio. He was also pictured with her famous pals, including model Gigi Hadid at one of her Eras Tour concerts. 

The romance, however, ended in June. A source told People at the time: "She had fun with him, but it was always casual. They are no longer romantically involved. 

Healy loves the attention, but felt blindsided (Getty Images)

"They were never boyfriend-girlfriend or exclusive and were always just having fun. There is no drama, and who knows what could happen again. It was a good time and ran its course.”

In her song Fortnight she also appears to be targeting Healy. Her lyrics include: "And no one here's to blame/ But what about your quiet treason? /I took the miracle move-on-drug/ The effects were temporary/ And I love you, it's ruining my life."

The title of track, which means two weeks, is believed to reference the short fling. 

Swift is infamous for ‘getting back’ at her exes in her songs (PA Archive)

She also seemingly takes a dig at the British singer in Fresh Out The Slammer. "To the one who says I'm the girl of his American Dreams/And no matter what I've done, it wouldn't matter anyway," she sang.

In The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, she mused: "Was any of it true? Gazing at me starry-eyed in your Jehovah's Witness suit," possibly referring to Healy's penchant for wearing suits while performing on stage. 

Earlier this year, Healy broke his silence following the release of the album. "I haven't really listened to that much of it but I'm sure it's good," he said. 

Swift is currently on the international trek of her Eras Tour, and is set to perform three concerts in Edinburgh beginning today, Friday, June 7.

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