Denise Welch, the mother of 1975 vocalist Matty Healy, has commented on the recent “diss tracks” on Taylor Swift’s new album, which are about her son.
It’s thought that Taylor is going after Matty with her highly praised new album, The Tortured Poets Department. The singer is credited with inspiring multiple tracks on Taylor’s most recent album, including Fortnight (with Post Malone) and The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived. Taylor and the singer briefly dated last year following Taylor’s separation with Joe Alwyn.
However, the mother appeared unaware of the situation when Taylor’s name was brought up on Thursday, April 25, 2024, during the British panel show Loose Women, where Denise is a panelist. Denise, 65, was careful with her words when she said, “I had no idea she had an album out at all. In any case, I hope the best for her.”
After that, she said nothing more about the supposed conflict between the two musicians. Matty, 35, gave Entertainment Tonight a brief response when questioned about the alleged jabs at him in Taylor’s album: “My diss track? Although I haven’t listened to it all that much, I’m sure it’s wonderful,” the Mirror says.
Taylor’s ardent supporters, dubbed the Swifties, were divided in 2023 when reports of a romantic relationship broke, considering the multiple scandals he had been a part of. When Taylor saw one of Matty’s band’s shows in 2014, there was initial speculation. Matty later revealed that the two had swapped phone numbers.
The singer’s debut performance of Anti-Hero during a surprise appearance at a 1975 show in London set off romantic rumors, but the pair continued to have a cordial friendship for a number of years. In 2022, the singer even worked together on a song. Denise even posted a picture of herself and Taylor backstage on X.
It was revealed that Taylor had moved on with Matty little than a month after her split with Joe Alwyn in May 2023.
Though it was said that Matty and Taylor were “inseparable,” their romance ended abruptly by June 2023. They were “both extremely busy and realized they’re not really compatible with each other,” an insider said.
Their relationship was never serious, a source later revealed to People Magazine, saying, “She had fun with him, but it was always casual.”
Singing in The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, Taylor claims in her own words that Matty ghosted her. Did any of it come true? staring at me with big eyes while wearing your Jehovah’s Witness outfit,” she murmurs. “Who the f**k was that individual?” You attempted to purchase some medications from one of my pals’ friends. They simply abandoned you. You can now experience it.”
To Matty’s relief, Taylor reportedly warned him before publishing the Tortured Poets Department, even though her lyrics would only reveal him as another ex-boyfriend. An insider stated, “He was concerned that their story would be portrayed negatively.”
He was concerned that “the public wouldn’t get the full story,” but he was especially anxious about Taylor’s fervently devoted fan following, or “the Swifties.”