British actress Denise Welch, mother of The 1975 frontman Matty Healy, sparked reactions after addressing her son’s past relationship with Taylor Swift during a July 24 appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
When host Andy Cohen asked about Swift’s album The Tortured Poets Department—which reportedly references Healy in songs like “Guilty as Sin?” and “loml”—Welch quipped: “Being her mother-in-law is a role that I am glad that I lost.” The 67-year-old’s remark drew gasps from the studio audience.
Welch quickly clarified: “Not that I have anything against her at all! It was just tricky.” She emphasized the challenge of staying silent while Swift “writes a whole album about it,” but praised her son’s response: “Matty has taken it all in completely good grace.”
She noted Healy, 36, has moved on with fiancée Gabbriette Bechtel (a model/singer), adding, “He’s very happy with his amazing fiancée… So, we’ve moved on.”
Swift and Healy first met in 2014 but only briefly dated in May 2023 after Swift’s split from actor Joe Alwyn, her boyfriend of six years. A source previously told PEOPLE their breakup stemmed from “differences in their personalities.” Healy was spotted at Swift’s Nashville Eras Tour stop days before they were photographed holding hands in New York.
Their romance ended weeks later. Swift then began dating Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce in September 2023. Kelce later shared on The Pat McAfee Show that he invited Swift to a game after attending her July 2023 concert at Arrowhead Stadium.
Welch’s comments highlight the lingering spotlight on Swift’s past relationships even as both parties embrace new chapters.
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