1975's Matty Healy's Mum Slams Taylor Swift: 'Not Being Her Mother-in-Law Is a Role I'm Glad I Lost'

Not being Taylor Swift's mother-in-law is a role Denise Welch says she's happy to leave behind.

The British actress and Loose Women panellist made headlines following her candid appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, where she addressed her son Matty Healy's brief but highly publicised romance with the global pop icon.

When asked about Swift's 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department, widely believed to contain references to Healy, Welch replied: 'Not being her mother-in-law is a role that I am glad that I lost.'

The remark, delivered with a smile, drew gasps and laughter from the studio audience and quickly went viral.

Although lighthearted, Welch was careful to clarify that she held no animosity toward Swift. 'Not that I have anything against her at all. It was just tricky,' she said.

She praised Healy for handling the media storm 'in completely good grace' and described the situation as a learning experience for the family.

'She Writes a Whole Album About It'

Welch went on to acknowledge the challenges of remaining silent during intense public speculation. 'You're not allowed to say anything, and then she writes a whole album about it,' she noted.

Many interpreted this as a subtle critique of Swift's habit of drawing from personal relationships for lyrical inspiration.

The moment marked one of the first times Welch has publicly addressed her son's past relationship with Swift. Her comments offered rare insight into how the Healy family navigated the fallout from such a high-profile romance.

Matty Healy and Taylor Swift: A Timeline

Healy and Swift reportedly reconnected in May 2023 following years of friendship. Their relationship lasted roughly a month and came shortly after Swift's split from long-time partner Joe Alwyn.

When The Tortured Poets Department was released in 2024, fans were quick to speculate that several songs, featuring pointed lyrics, referenced Healy.

Public Reaction to Welch's Comments

Welch's remarks divided public opinion online. Some Swift fans criticised her for speaking out, while others praised her honesty and defended her right to share her perspective.

Many noted the difficulty of having a family member thrust into the spotlight, especially when artistic interpretations can shape public narratives.

Attention also turned to Healy's current relationship with model and musician Gabbriette Bechtel, whom he became engaged to earlier this year. Fans commented that Welch's support for her son's new relationship underscored that the family had moved on from the media drama.

Why It Matters

Welch's viral moment reignited conversations about the blurred boundaries between public and private life, particularly in an age where breakups often become pop culture events.

Her comments offered a glimpse into the emotional toll such exposure can take, especially when one party remains silent and the other turns personal history into chart-topping lyrics.

Standing by her son, Welch noted that Healy is now 'very happy' and engaged. She also raised quiet questions about the fairness of public scrutiny born from personal art.

In doing so, she added a new layer to the ongoing conversation about fame, privacy and the human stories behind the headlines.