Taylor Swift sent shock and elation through fans when she announced her new studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, at the 66th Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 4. The celebrations began immediately on social media, but before the end of the night, fans found a possible link between the new album and Swift's ex-boyfriend, actor Joe Alwyn.
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In an unearthed clip from Variety's "Actors on Actors," Alwyn and fellow actor Paul Mescal briefly discuss a text group they once had called "The Tortured Man Club."
"The tortured man club, I think," Alwyn said, when Mescal tried to remember the group name.
"Me, you and Andrew," Mescal said, referencing actor Andrew Scott.
"It hasn't had much use recently," Alwyn then quipped.
"No, I feel like we're less tortured now," Mescal added.
Joe Alwyn and Paul Mescal have a WhatsApp group with Andrew Scott called "The Tortured Man Club."
"It hasn't had much use recently," Alwyn says.
"I feel like we're less tortured now," Mescal quips. https://t.co/CSai4ScQpz pic.twitter.com/veCp1ZdFsD— Variety (@Variety) December 15, 2022
Swift and Alwyn dated for six years, announcing their breakup in April of 2023. Since the clip comes from December of 2022 and the actors are discussing an event that seemed to occur at an earlier date, it's more than likely Swift knew about this uniquely named text group. So, is it a case of leftover influence from her past love? Or did Swift purposefully choose the name of her album in order to link it to her ex? Swift mentioned in the album announcement that she'd been hiding the news for two years, so it's possible she chose the album name during her relationship with Alwyn.
The Tortured Poets Department will be Swift's first album since the end of her relationship — as Midnights was released in October 2022 — so fans are looking forward to breakup-inspired tracks. And if fans know anything about Swift, she rarely does anything on accident.
Of course, Swift's fans filled social media with theories and humorous memes about the connection. One fan joked that Alwyn was "seen crying on the side of the road" after the announcement." See other memes and reaction from Swift fans below:
Joe Alwyn right now #TaylorSwift pic.twitter.com/vBdpZ4AoxW
— Alicia T. (@athompson630) February 5, 2024
Joe Alwyn after reading what Taylor?s album is going to be called pic.twitter.com/ptcaJ6cgd9
— selina kyle??(taylor?s version) (@3ambatman) February 5, 2024
Joe Alwyn entering witness protection on April 19th #THETORTUREDPOETSDEPARTMENT pic.twitter.com/y3Y58Obesc
— michael (taylor?s version) ?? (@thatgaymichael) February 5, 2024
During the acceptance speech for Best Pop Vocal Album, Swift said, "I want to thank the fans by telling you a secret that I've been keeping from you for the last two years. Which is that my brand new album comes out April 19. It's called The Tortured Poets Department. I'm going to go post the cover right now backstage. Thank you. I love you. Thank you."
