Taylor Swift's love life: a history

We are never, ever, ever getting back together: Taylor Swift and her former boyfriends
We are never, ever, ever getting back together: Taylor Swift and her former boyfriends

So Taylor Swift has left another man heartbroken. According to Us Weekly, Tom Hiddleston and Swift's well-publicised relationship has come to an end after Swift didn't want to turn up on the Emmy Awards red carpet with him.  

Swift's fans are experiencing a sense of de-ja vu. Here is a woman whose starry love-life is so well documented that she wrote a song about the media's reaction to it. If you're not aware of her trail of exes so far, here's a swift (sorry) recap:

Joe Jonas

Taylor Swift and Joe Jonas at the 2008 MTV Video Awards
Taylor Swift and Joe Jonas at the 2008 MTV Video Awards Credit:  FilmMagic

Who?

The most successful of squeaky-clean pop trio The Jonas Brothers, with whom he has sold 17 million albums. Jonas has also embarked on other ventures, such as acting as himself in Jonas brother-themed Disney series and setting up another band called DNCE.

When?

July - October 2008.

What happened?

Jonas reportedly ended the relationship via a 27-second-long phone call after meeting actress Camilla Belle. 

Did he inspire any songs?

Last-minute Fearless addition Forever and Always, which Swift told Rolling Stone was a way to deal with the "really dramatic and crazy" aftermath of the relationship. She explained on a track-by-track insight into the 2008 album that man in the song was "slowly [slipping] away" from her. 

Taylor Lautner

Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift in 2012
Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift in 2012 Credit: Rex Features

Who?

The actor known for playing the lycanthropic teenage heartthrob Jacob Black in the film adaptation of The Twilight Saga.

When?

August - November 2009.

What happened?

After meeting in Swift's dressing room for 2010 rom-com Valentine's Day, in which she had a bit part, the pair never quite made it past a few months together.

Did he inspire any songs?

Back to December, Swift's first ever song which contained an apology and featured on her 2010 album Speak Now. She said that "it was about a person who was incredible to me, just perfect to me in a relationship, and  I was really careless with him. So this is a song full of words that I would say to him, that he deserves to hear."

John Mayer

John Mayer and Taylor Swift perform at the 2006 Jingle Bell Ball
John Mayer and Taylor Swift perform at the 2006 Jingle Bell Ball Credit:  StarPix/REX/Shutterstock​

Who?

The older man. Singer-songwriter John Mayer is better known for his string of high-profile ex-girlfriends, including : Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston. He was 32 when he reportedly dated the 21-year-old Swift. 

When?

November 2009 - February 2010. 

What happened?

This is a relationship that was far outlasted by the controversy and public dissection after it ended, with Mayer admitting he was "humiliated" by a song Swift wrote and was thought to be about him. She denied claims of his inspiration as "presumptuous". 

Did he inspire any songs?

Famously, Dear John, a near-seven-minute-long ballad accusing a former lover of moving goalposts, playing games and messing with "a girl too young to be messed with". Swift said:

"The song Dear John is sort of like the last email you would ever send to someone that you used to be in a relationship with. Usually people write this venting last email to someone and they say everything that they want to say to that person, and then they usually don't send it. I guess by putting this song on the album I am pushing send."

Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal and Taylor Swift celebrate Thanksgiving together
Jake Gyllenhaal and Taylor Swift celebrate Thanksgiving together Credit: Swarbrick/INFphoto.com

Who?

A-List actor known for films such as Brokeback Mountain, Southpaw and Donnie Darko. 

When?

October - December 2010.

What happened?

Swift and Gyllenhaal's relationship was very public, albeit short-lived. They spent Thanksgiving together in Brooklyn, reportedly at the home of Gyllenhaal's actress sister Maggie, before travelling to Swift's hometown of Nashville. It's not clear why they broke up. 

Did he inspire any songs?

A considerable chunk of her 2012 album Red. Swift explained the process of writing All Too Well, saying:

"All Too Well was the hardest to write because it took me a long time to filter through everything I wanted to say ... It started out being a 10-minute song, which you can't put on an album. I had to filter it down to a story that could work in the form of a song."

Fans also think the relationship inspired Red's fiery ode to on-off relationships, We Are Never Getting Back Together.

Conor Kennedy

Taylor Swift and Conor Kennedy in Hyannis Port in 2012
Taylor Swift and Conor Kennedy in Hyannis Port in 2012 Credit: WENN.com

Who?

Tousle-haired descendant of famous Kennedy family and, at the time of their relationship, a schoolboy. 

When?

Summer 2012.

What happened?

Swift met Kennedy after befriending his grandmother Ethel and spent time at the Kennedy family home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. The pair split at the end of summer, when Kennedy had to return to his studies and Swift had an album to finish. Some said that the distance and commitments were to blame, while other reports claimed Swift was "obsessed" with Conor's famous family and "came on too strong". 

Did he inspire any songs?

Some say Everything Has Changed, which Swift sung with Ed Sheeran, pays homage to Kennedy. 

Harry Styles

Taylor Swift and Harry Styles spotted in December 2012
Taylor Swift and Harry Styles spotted in December 2012 Credit: Rex Features

Who?

The most famous member of British boy band One Direction.

When?

November 2012 - January 2013.  

What happened?

The pop world near-exploded when Swift, then at the peak of her Red-era fame, and Styles – at the summit of his One Direction acclaim – were photographed together in New York. Swift even visited Styles' northern hometown to celebrate her birthday with his family. But it all fell apart by the new year, apparently after a significant row. 

Did he inspire any songs?

Some would say the entirety of her 2014 album, 1989, was inspired by Styles. The smoking gun appears to be a paper aeroplane pendant necklace belonging to Styles, that Swift was pictured wearing during their relationship and features in lyrics to songs including Out of the Woods and Style. When the video for Style was released and featured said necklace, the fandom were sold. 

Calvin Harris

Calvin Harris and Taylor Swift
Calvin Harris and Taylor Swift Credit: Instagram/taylorswift

Who?

Known to his friends (and presumably Swift?) as Adam Wiles, Harris is a globally successful DJ and producer. When he and Swift were together they became the highest-earning musical couple in the world. 

When?

March 2015 - June 2016

What happened?

Unlike Swift's earlier relationships, pop's ephemeral golden couple were defined, documented and, finally, ended through social media. Together, Harris and Swift supported and boosted each-other's careers, but their relationship was lived out in rose-tinted Instagram snaps rather than red carpet appearances. A holiday just a few months before their split was no exception. 

Did he inspire any songs?

Not yet, but fans are hoping to hear the inside story on Swift album number six. 

Tom Hiddleston

Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston during summer 2016
Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston during summer 2016

Who?

The thinking woman's Daniel Craig, who reportedly damaged his chances of playing 007 after dating Swift. British actor Tom Hiddlleston had earned a glistening reputation in UK  showbiz after winning the Laurence Olivier Award for best newcomer and stealing scenes in The Night Manager. 

When?

June 2016 - September 2016

What happened?

Said to be the spark that lit the tinderbox of Swift and Harris's breakup, British actor Tom Hiddlleston put on a show of manly pizzazz at the Met Ball in May when he and Swift embarked upon an impromptu performance of what The Telegraph's dance critic called "possibly the extraordinary dance I've every seen".  

Within weeks the pair were publicly pictured canoodling on the rocks outside Swift's Rhode Island getaway, and so many subsequent photographs appeared of the pair cuddling up around the world that fans thought they were shooting a music video. But after just three months, it was over – supposedly because Swift was put off by Hiddleston's clamouring for the limelight. 

Did he inspire any songs?

It's only a matter of time.

Joe Alwyn

Joe Alwyn and Taylor Swift
Joe Alwyn and Taylor Swift Credit:  PA

Who?

A 26-year-old British actor on the make who still lives with his parents. 

When?

It's not known for sure, but reports suggest Swift and Alwyn have been dating since early 2017.

What happened?

After the social media blitzenkrieg that was Swift's 2016, her relationship with Alwyn has always been kept quiet. The star reportedly rented a home in North London, where he lives, and opted for disguise as a date outfit via the means of hats and scarves, in an attempt to uphold their privacy. Not an I Heart TS tee-shirt in sight. 

Did he inspire any songs?

Well, we're still waiting for the ones about Hiddleston and Harris, so he's at the bottom of an ever-increasing list.

 

License this content