Denise Welch, the mother of Matty Healy, frontman of the band The 1975, recently stirred the pot with candid remarks about her son's brief and highly publicized relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift. Speaking on Bravo’s "Watch What Happens Live" with Andy Cohen on July 24, Welch expressed relief at not becoming Swift’s mother-in-law, a role she said she was "glad that I lost." Her comments came amid the release of Swift's album The Tortured Poet’s Department, which is widely believed to be inspired by her short-lived romance with Healy in the spring of 2023.
Welch’s remarks were met with audible gasps from the audience as she said, "Not that I have anything against her at all!" but added, "It was just... it was tricky. Listen, you’re not allowed to say anything, and then she writes a whole album about it." This pointed observation highlights the frustration felt by Healy’s family, as Swift’s music often draws heavily from her personal relationships, turning private matters into public art.
According to a source who spoke to Us Weekly on July 26, the narrative that Healy broke Swift’s heart is misleading. "It’s a horrible thing to have the most famous person in the world saying that your son broke her heart when it was the other way around," the insider said. They explained that Welch’s "mother-in-law stuff" comments stemmed from where Healy had thought the relationship was headed before it abruptly ended. "She’s entitled to her opinion," the source added, acknowledging Welch’s perspective while also suggesting the complexity of the situation.
The insider further elaborated on the emotional toll the breakup took on Healy and his mother. "Any mum can imagine what it would feel like — but then you have to multiply it by a million because of how famous [Taylor] is," they remarked, underscoring the intense public scrutiny the family endured. Welch, described as "still Matty’s mum at the end of the day," found it "bloody hard" to keep quiet during the ordeal, especially given the one-sided portrayal of the split in the media and Swift’s music.
Despite the tension, Welch assured viewers on "Watch What Happens Live" that the family has "moved on." She praised Healy’s current fiancée, model Gabbriette Bechtel, calling her "amazing" and "gorgeous," signaling a fresh chapter for her son. Meanwhile, Swift has been in a high-profile relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce since her split from Healy.
The relationship between Swift and Healy was notably brief, lasting only a few months after Swift’s breakup with long-term partner Joe Alwyn in April 2023. Their romance quickly captured public attention, especially after Healy made controversial comments about rapper Ice Spice, which sparked a backlash from Swift’s fanbase. By early June 2023, the couple had parted ways.
A source close to Swift described Welch’s comments as "a bit obnoxious in Taylor's eyes," but noted that Swift has chosen to "take the high road." The insider suggested that Swift might "just let it slide" for now, but warned that if Welch continues to publicly bash the singer, Swift could respond. "The ball is still in Denise's court to see if she wants to continue the narrative she brought upon herself," the source said.
In addition to personal drama, there was professional overlap between Swift and Healy. Rumors circulated in 2022 that Healy would feature on Swift’s album Midnights, and while they did collaborate in the studio, none of that material was released. Swift also made a surprise appearance at a 1975 concert in January 2023, signaling a friendly professional relationship despite their later romantic split.
Welch’s candidness about the situation provides a rare glimpse into the family’s perspective on a relationship that has been heavily dissected in the public eye. Her remarks reveal the challenges of navigating personal heartbreak under the glare of global fame, especially when the other party is one of the world’s most famous musicians.
Ultimately, the story of Taylor Swift and Matty Healy’s brief romance is a reminder of how fame can complicate even the most private of matters. As Welch put it, "you’re not allowed to say anything," and yet, Swift’s art speaks volumes. For now, both parties seem to be moving forward—Swift with Kelce, Healy with Bechtel—and the public watches closely, waiting to see if this chapter will indeed close quietly or if more will be revealed through music and media.
