Joe Alwyn has taken a significant step in reshaping his public persona, landing the coveted cover of GQ Germany's 2025 Men of the Year issue. The British actor, 34, was honoured as the publication's Actor of the Year, a title that comes with a striking photoshoot featuring him showcasing his toned physique and posing shirtless alongside a horse.
A Calculated Career Pivot?
Public relations experts are divided on the timing and intent behind this high-profile feature. The cover emerges merely months after Travis Kelce, the fiancé of Alwyn's ex-partner Taylor Swift, appeared on the September cover of the US edition of GQ, where he was dubbed 'America's Sweetheart'.
Emily Reynolds Bergh, CEO of R Public Relations, described Alwyn's feature as a 'strategic' move in an exclusive discussion with the Daily Mail. She suggested it serves as a powerful tool to help him step away from the reductive label of being 'Taylor Swift's ex'.
'When the biggest pop figure on earth and the NFL’s most visible tight end confirm their engagement, their narrative becomes the cultural tide everyone else must either fight or surf,' Bergh stated, theorising that the timing of Alwyn's cover was no accident.
Industry Recognition or Swift-Inspired Buzz?
Not all experts agree with this strategic interpretation. Lucy Donaghey, a celebrity publicist at Streamline PR, countered that it would be 'unfair' to suggest the cover was purely a tactical play to capitalise on the buzz surrounding Swift’s engagement to Kelce.
'While his highly-publicized relationship with Taylor and the current media interest around her wedding will inevitably drive extra attention, I believe the timing also reflects his own achievements,' Donaghey argued.
She pointed to Alwyn's standout work in 'The Brutalist', the stage production 'The Woman of the Sea', and the upcoming release 'Hamnet' as evidence that he is 'clearly making waves on his own merit.'
GQ Germany's caption for the photoshoot seemed to echo this sentiment of authentic artistry, stating: 'Seeks the role, not the glory. An actor who embodies more than just roles: he imbues them with depth, serenity and authenticity.'
Forging a Path Beyond the Past
Alwyn and Swift, 35, were first romantically linked in 2016 and maintained a notoriously private six-year relationship before their split in 2023. Reports suggested Alwyn struggled with Swift's immense level of fame, and he has kept a relatively low profile since the breakup.
In a rare comment about his ex during a January interview with The Observer, Alwyn addressed fears of being overshadowed, saying, 'I have tried just to focus on controlling what I can control.'
He added that he focused on 'things that are meaningful for me: friends, family, work,' and has attempted to ignore the external 'noise.' This contrasts sharply with Swift's current very public relationship with Kelce, 36, which was followed by their engagement announcement in August 2025.
Donaghey highlighted that the industry is taking serious note of Alwyn's talent, with GQ even tipping him as a contender for the next James Bond. This positions him 'far beyond the title of "Taylor Swift’s ex,"' signalling a promising new chapter for the actor focused squarely on his craft.
