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Taylor Swift's new album references ex-boyfriend's group chat nickname

Taylor Swift arrives at the world premiere of the concert film "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour," Oct. 11, 2023, in Los Angeles. In Quotes of the Year, a Yale Law School librarian's list of the most notab

In the world of Taylor Swift, even the smallest details can ignite a flurry of speculation and excitement among her devoted fans. Recently, Swifties have been buzzing about the title of her upcoming album, 'The Tortured Poets Department.' According to fans, this title could be a clever nod to an inside joke involving Taylor's ex-boyfriend, Joe Alwyn, and his friends Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott.

It all started when a fan took to social media to point out that 'Joe's group chat with Paul was called 'The Tortured Men's Club.'' This revelation set off a wave of curiosity and amusement within the fan community. Another fan chimed in, claiming that Joe and Paul's WhatsApp group chat was humorously dubbed 'The Tortured Men's Club.' Swifties couldn't help but find the revelation hilarious.

Amidst the excitement, others expressed their anticipation for Taylor Swift potentially sharing some juicy details about her time with Joe Alwyn on the album. One fan gushed, 'I'm already obsessed with the concept of this album. It's like Taylor saying, 'You treated me the way you did, and now it's fair game for me to write about it.''

Interestingly, Swift had previously mentioned in her acceptance speech at the 2024 Grammys that she had been working on this album for two years. Coincidentally, this timeframe aligns with her relationship with Joe Alwyn. The dots were quickly connected, leading fans to speculate that the album might include some personal revelations about their romance.

Adding fuel to the fire, back in 2022, Joe Alwyn and Paul Mescal revealed in an interview with Variety that they were part of a boys-only group chat named 'The Tortured Man Club,' initiated by Andrew Scott. The chat seemed to be a daily affair for Scott, who was often the sole participant. Alwyn humorously joked that Scott would frequently message himself a cheerful good morning.

Further shedding light on the origins of this group chat's name, Joe Alwyn mentioned in a previous interview with GQ UK that it was inspired by his character in the film 'Conversations with Friends,' where he portrayed the role of Connell. With these pieces of information, it becomes clearer why fans have made the connection between this inside joke and the album's intriguing title.

While the title of 'The Tortured Poets Department' implies intense emotions and dramatic experiences, it is important to note that sources close to Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn have stated that their breakup was rather amicable and not characterized by any dramatic events. According to an insider, their relationship simply came to a natural end, having run its course.

Since their split, Joe Alwyn has not been romantically linked to anyone new. On the other hand, Taylor Swift has found love again with NFL player Travis Kelce, who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. The couple made their relationship public in September 2023.

Fans don't have to wait much longer to unravel the mysteries of 'The Tortured Poets Department.' The album is set to be released on April 19, and Swifties around the world eagerly await the moment when Taylor unveils her introspective and undoubtedly captivating musical journey.

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