One of Taylor Swift’s more forgettable romances was with The 1975 frontman, Matty Healy. But there’s one person who wants to make sure we remember it and that’s Matty’s mum, Denise Welch.
Appearing on Watch What Happens Live, Denise of Loose Women fame was asked about her son’s romantic tryst with the world’s biggest pop star. ‘Obviously, on pain of death can I talk about that episode,’ she said, ‘but being her mother-in-law is a role that I am glad that I lost.’
When this warranted gasps from the audience Denise quickly added: ‘Not that I have anything against her at all! It was just – it was tricky.’ She explained that her issue with Taylor is that no one criticises her for fear of her fans’ wrath, but Taylor is then free to pour her version of events out into the world via best-selling albums. ‘You’re not allowed to say anything, and then she writes a whole album about it,’ explained the Loose Woman star, before praising her son for handling the situation ‘in completely good grace’.
If you’re wondering why Denise Welch was on Watch What Happens Live to begin with and what actually happened between Taylor Swift and Matty Healy, then you’ve come to the right place.
When were Taylor Swift and Matty Healy in a relationship?
If you can even call it a relationship, Taylor and Matty dated for about a month in May 2023. Apparently they first exchanged numbers in November 2014 after a flirtatious exchange backstage at a 1975 concert in LA. Later that month, Taylor was spotted wearing the band’s merch ahead of her performance at the American Music Awards and Matty was seen wearing a 1989 album t-shirt on stage.
When asked if he was dating Taylor during an interview with Shazam Top 20, Matty said, ‘I mean bloody hell, what am I going to do? Go out with Taylor Swift? She’s a sensation, I wouldn’t say no.’
Things reached fever pitch in December when Taylor was spotted at another 1975 concert with her friend Karlie Kloss, but by January Matty came out to say the news was ‘fake’ and ‘a farce’. He said, ‘There’s no relationship or anything happening. It’s just funny how people really, really buy into that.’
In 2016, Matty addressed the chaotic rumours once more. ‘I don’t do anything else [besides music], right, so it doesn’t leave a lot of room for me going out, or shagging someone.’ Speaking to Q magazine he added, ‘So the one time I did have a flirtation with a girl it ends up going everywhere… I mean, I got on E! News and people were like, “Who’s Matty Healy?” so that was cool.’
‘If I had gone out with Taylor Swift I would’ve been, “F***ing hell! I am NOT being Taylor Swift’s boyfriend.” You know, “F*** THAT.” That’s also a man thing, a de-masculating [sic], emasculating thing.’ There’s the Welch/ Healy loose lipped gene coming into action.
Following suitable backlash, Matty cleared his comments up once more. ‘I have said on countless occasions that I found her to be one of the most gracious, hard working, creatively gifted, and beautiful women that I have had the pleasure to meet. I personally have a lot of respect and admiration for her. Why would I not?
‘I didn’t even date Taylor, but the media’s incessant and brutal obsession with her has meant that even a guy who DIDN’T DATE HER has been so battered by their never-ending questions that he’s inevitably said something that can be lifted and moulded into something that resembles “shade”. It’s really sad.’
Then in January 2023, shortly before break up from Joe Alwyn was confirmed, Taylor performed at a 1975 concert and that May they briefly dated. The most insight we got into their fling was a few pictures of the singers holding hands in New York and Nashville.
In June, a source told People, ‘She had fun with him, but it was always casual. They are no longer romantically involved.’
Which Taylor Swift album is about Matty Healy?
Several songs in The Tortured Poets Department are thought to be about Matty, including ‘But Daddy I Love Him’, ‘Fresh Out the Slammer’, ‘Guilty as Sin?’ and ‘The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived.’ The song ‘Fortnight’ is also thought to be about The 1975 singer.
Why was Denise Welch on Watch What Happens Live?
Denise appeared on Andy Cohen’s show to discuss the Real Housewives franchise, defend Harry and Meghan and to speak about her best and worst celebrity interviews of all time. She was there in the capacity of Loose Women host, but of course her famous son probably played a part in the booking too.
Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, working across entertainment, TV and news. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things pop culture for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow with equal respect).
