Chart-topping singer Ed Sheeran has moved to quash rumours of a rift with his close friend Taylor Swift, revealing they enjoyed a lengthy, in-person catch-up just one week after her engagement to Travis Kelce was announced.
A Friendship Tested by Social Media
The Shape of You hitmaker, who famously does not own a mobile phone, discovered the major life update about his friend of 11 years at the same time as the general public—via an Instagram post in August. This led to speculation that their bond had become "strained," a situation seemingly exacerbated by the close release dates of their respective albums in September and October.
However, in a new interview with Access Hollywood, Sheeran was quick to dismiss any notion of a fallout. "I'm not self-conscious about my relationship with her," he stated firmly. "We've been friends for very, very many years. We're super close and we see each other when we see each other, and when we see each other, we lock back into where we left off."
The Four-Hour Reconnection
Sheeran provided a crucial detail that counters the narrative of a troubled friendship. He confirmed that he and Swift met face-to-face a mere seven days after she accepted Kelce's proposal. "I saw her a week after that happened," he explained, referring to the engagement news. "And you talk in person... when I saw Taylor we had like a four-hour catch-up and it's life stuff."
The British star, who hails from Halifax, suggested that his technologically minimalist lifestyle ultimately fosters deeper connections. "I kind of feel like being in touch with everyone, sort of you lose actual human connection," he mused, contrasting constant digital contact with the quality of their long, personal conversation.
Underlying Tensions in the Music Industry
The rumours of a strain did not emerge from thin air. A report from the Daily Mail in the preceding month had highlighted a potential professional conflict. Sheeran had announced his eighth studio album, Play, for a September 12 release. Swift then revealed her own new album, The Life of a Showgirl, for October 3, creating a tight two-week window between the two major releases.
An industry source claimed this move left Sheeran's team "scrabbling to get as much attention before hers dropped," and that the singer was "understandably peeved." This incident echoed previous instances where Swift's strategic release of multiple album variants has been seen as chart-blocking other artists, including Charli XCX and Billie Eilish.
Despite the competitive backdrop, the two global superstars have a long history. Their friendship was cemented after collaborating on the 2012 single Everything Has Changed and living near each other in Nashville. More recently, they were both in attendance at Selena Gomez's California wedding on September 27, where they reportedly gave speeches.
Ultimately, Sheeran's account paints a picture of a resilient friendship that operates on its own terms, unaffected by the whirlwind of social media gossip and music chart rivalries.
