“This is a bit disrespectful to both of them”: It May Take Joe Alwyn an Entire Lifetime to Escape Taylor Swift’s Shadow and One Thing Proves it
The news of Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn parting ways after six years of being together came as a surprise to the fans. It is a well-known fact that Swift’s real-life incidents and experiences have always inspired the lyrics of her music, and starting over after walking away from a six-year-long relationship was one of those for her recent album, The Tortured Poets Department.
Swifties, upon the release of the album, decided to dissect every lyric of the album to understand the mindset of the singer. The song on the album So Long, London is allegedly about Joe Alwyn, detailing the reasons for their breakup. Joe Alwyn’s recent cover issue has once again sparked controversy, as Swifties have now pointed out the similarities between the song and the cover shoot.
Joe Alwyn’s photo shoot creates buzz online as Taylor Swift’s fans draw comparisons
English actor Joe Alwyn appeared on the cover of the Sunday Times Style magazine, which featured the headline, London Boy: What Joe Alwyn Did Next. This headline was enough to irk Taylor Swift’s fans, as the headline seemed like a reference to the singer’s song London Boy from 2019’s Lover album.
Fans also noticed how the headline refers to her new album, The Tortured Poets Department’s song, So Long London. The song details the reason for and the aftermath of their relationship’s end. The second headline noted was that Tangerine Dreams was a phrase used by the singer in her 1989 Taylor’s Version song Slut!
Taylor Swift’s fans were quick to mention that the color of his sweater referred to a color that she refers to in most of her songs. A lot of them noted that the name of the magazine Style is also a reference to her song Style, which is allegedly about former One Direction member Harry Styles. Fans were quick to fill the comment section with the words, ‘Please, not ‘Style’ and ‘London Boy’. A user added,
This is a bit disrespectful to both of them isn’t it? I mean this is beyond the realm of okay.
Good for him. I have often wondered what is next up for him. 🫶💕
— Gem (@gemrocks17) June 14, 2024
Another user commented the post, ‘For someone who didn’t want to be front and center’, prompting fans to question who approved the title. Swifties wrote that the cover shoot seems like the actor is still trying to bask in her limelight. A social media user added, ‘Using London Boy is screaming, ‘So tell me everything is not about me..but what if it is’’.
the marketing is spot on!!
they know how to both trigger and intrigue the swifties
— Ram Martinez (@rampagerealness) June 14, 2024
'London Boy', 'Styls'
They knew EXACTLY what they were doing chile
— NMRFB (@ChartsNMRFB) June 14, 2024
“london boy” oh taylor you made him
— sierra ⸆⸉⊬ 💌 (@slipthruthebars) June 14, 2024
Why would they name it that
— will ⸆⸉ fots owner (@Goldivyrush) June 14, 2024
A user on X wrote, ‘Nothing against Joe; I find it cringeworthy when subtle references to exes are implied. People are not their exes. I wish the publisher wouldn’t have. This stands on its own.’ Swift and Alwyn parted ways in 2023 after being together for six years.
Joe Alwyn reveals ‘he’s dating and happy’
According to reports by People, Alwyn has moved on from his breakup with Taylor Swift, is now focused on work, and is doing well. A source shared,
He’s dating and happy. He’s a great guy and not into drama in any way. He certainly doesn’t talk poorly about her. He was in love with her, and it just didn’t work out.
Upon asking the reason for their separation, it was mentioned that, despite being an actor and used to being in front of the camera, Alwyn cannot stand the attention that comes along with it. They added that he’s not comfortable being in the spotlight. US Weekly shared back in April 2023 that the actor is very shy and never liked the attention that came along with dating one of the most popular singers.
The two of them had been very private about their relationship. Swift, after her breakup with Alwyn, briefly dated Matty Healy, before confirming her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Alwyn has continued to focus on his work, and his movie Kinds of Kindness is scheduled for release on June 21.