He is said to be the inspiration behind several of the singles from his former flame, Taylor Swift’s recent album, The Tortured Poets Department, and now Matty Healy has finally broken his silence on the record.
The lead singer of The 1975, who is said to have inspired the tracks 'Fortnight' (feat. Post Malone) and 'The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived' from the album, was asked by a reporter from Entertainment Tonight on Wednesday what he thought of the 'diss tracks', to which he replied: 'I haven't really listened to that much of it but I'm sure it's good.'
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According to Us Weekly, Healy, who was nervous that the pair's frisson would be painted in a ‘negative light’ was relieved to have received a ‘heads up’ from Swift ahead of the album’s release. The pair are believed to have dated for several months during 2023.
‘Matty still thinks very highly of Taylor but we were all nervous about what she might have said on the album,’ a source said on Saturday. 'Matty's family were worried that Taylor was going to rip him apart. Matty has struggled with life in the public eye, and he's been doing really well, but the last thing that he needs is for every Swiftie in the world to think he's a villain.'
Among the references on 'The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived' that fans believe nod to Healy are the mentions of a 'Jehovah's Witness suit' – Healy is known for wearing vintage suits – and 'rusting my (Swift's) sparkling summer'.
After Healy provided inspiration for TTPD, which has now become Spotify's most-streamed album in a single week, having surpassed 1 billion streams, it is believed that he will return the favour by penning records about Swift.
'Matty is currently keeping a low profile working on The 1975’s next album. This time last week he had no idea he was about to become one of the most talked about men on the planet,' a source told The Sun. 'He has opted to keep silent, but no NDA has been signed. Like Taylor, he uses his music as a form of release and storytelling, it’s naturally caused him to think about their time together and he’s never been one to hold back when speaking his mind.'
The source added: 'Also like Taylor, he’s moved on and is very happy with his current relationship with Gabbriette Bechtel but there is nothing stopping him from writing about his romance with Taylor and having his say on what she said about him.'
Like his former girlfriend, Healy has a track record of writing music inspired by his own romantic endeavours. The 1975 songs 'I'm In Love With You', 'All I Need To Hear' and 'When We Are Together' were said to have been inspired by Healy's romance with FKA Twigs.
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Naomi May is a freelance writer and editor with an emphasis on popular culture, lifestyle and politics. After graduating with a First Class Honours from City University's prestigious Journalism course, Naomi joined the Evening Standard as its Fashion and Beauty Writer, working across both the newspaper and website. She is now the Acting News Editor at ELLE UK and has written features for the likes of The Guardian, Vogue, Vice and Refinery29, among many others.