Taylor Swift’s engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce has set the internet ablaze, with fans and media alike buzzing over the news. Announced in the early hours of August 27, 2025, the engagement has not only sparked joy among Swifties but also drawn attention to the reactions—or lack thereof—from Swift’s ex-boyfriends. The pop icon, known for her high-profile relationships and chart-topping breakup songs, has a storied romantic history that includes some of Hollywood’s biggest names. As the world celebrates her latest chapter with Kelce, the cryptic and unexpected responses from her former flames have ignited a firestorm of speculation, memes, and debates across social media platforms.
A Fairy-Tale Engagement
Taylor Swift, the 14-time Grammy winner, shared the news of her engagement to Travis Kelce, a celebrated tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, through a heartfelt Instagram post. The announcement featured romantic photos of Kelce proposing in a garden adorned with roses, with Swift proudly displaying a dazzling diamond ring. The caption, “Your English teacher and gym coach are getting married,” playfully referenced Swift’s lyrical prowess and Kelce’s athletic persona, charming fans with its nod to their high-school-sweetheart vibe. The post quickly amassed millions of likes, with Swifties flooding the internet with congratulations and excitement for the couple’s future.
Swift and Kelce’s relationship, which began sparking rumors in the summer of 2023, has been a whirlwind of public appearances, mutual support, and iconic moments. From Swift cheering at Chiefs games to Kelce attending her Eras Tour concerts, their romance has been a beacon of positivity. The engagement, long anticipated by fans, marks a significant milestone for the couple, who have been inseparable since their romance went public. However, while the world celebrates their love, the reactions from Swift’s ex-boyfriends have added an unexpected twist to the narrative.
The Ex-Factor: A Mixed Bag of Responses
Taylor Swift’s dating history reads like a who’s-who of Hollywood’s elite, with names like Joe Jonas, Harry Styles, Calvin Harris, and Joe Alwyn making headlines over the years. Her relationships have often inspired her music, with breakup anthems like “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and “All Too Well” becoming cultural touchstones. Naturally, when news of her engagement broke, fans turned their attention to her exes, eager to see how they would react to Swift’s happily-ever-after moment. The responses, ranging from cryptic to outright silence, have fueled intense online discussions.
Joe Jonas: A Subtle Nod or Shade?
Joe Jonas, who dated Swift briefly in 2008, was one of the first exes to draw attention. The Jonas Brothers singer, now 34, posted a cryptic Instagram story hours after Swift’s announcement, featuring a throwback photo of himself with the caption, “Living my best life.” Fans were quick to interpret this as a subtle jab, given the history of their breakup, which Swift famously revealed ended with a 27-second phone call. The brevity of their romance and its fallout inspired songs like “Forever & Always” and “Last Kiss,” making Jonas a recurring figure in Swiftie lore. While some fans saw his post as playful shade, others argued it was merely coincidental, pointing out that Jonas has maintained a friendly relationship with Swift in recent years, even partying together in 2021. Regardless, the ambiguous post sent X users into a frenzy, with memes and theories circulating about whether Jonas was throwing shade or simply reminiscing.
Harry Styles: The Silent Star
Harry Styles, who had a short-lived but highly publicized romance with Swift in 2012, has remained notably silent. The former One Direction heartthrob, whose relationship with Swift inspired songs like “Style” and “Out of the Woods,” is known for keeping a low profile when it comes to personal matters. Fans expected at least a subtle acknowledgment, given Styles’ gracious reaction to Swift at the 2021 Grammy Awards, where he stood and clapped for her win. However, his silence has sparked speculation about whether he’s avoiding the spotlight or simply unbothered by the news. Some Swifties praised Styles for his restraint, while others took to X to create humorous memes, joking that he’s “still out of the woods” and steering clear of the drama.
Calvin Harris: Stirring the Pot
Perhaps the most talked-about reaction came from Calvin Harris, the Scottish DJ who dated Swift from 2015 to 2016. Their breakup was notoriously messy, with public spats over songwriting credits for Harris’ hit “This Is What You Came For,” which Swift co-wrote under a pseudonym. Hours after Swift’s engagement news, Harris posted a cryptic tweet: “Congrats to all the lovers out there. Keep making music.” The message, while seemingly congratulatory, was interpreted by many as laced with sarcasm, given their tumultuous history. Fans pointed out that Harris has a track record of shading Swift, including past comments accusing her of portraying herself as a victim. The tweet sparked a wave of reactions on X, with users divided between those who saw it as a genuine olive branch and others who labeled it passive-aggressive. One viral post read, “Calvin Harris out here throwing shade like it’s 2016 again,” accompanied by a laughing emoji.
Joe Alwyn: The Quiet Departure
Joe Alwyn, Swift’s longest-term partner before Kelce, dated the singer for over six years, from 2016 to 2022. Their relationship was private, and their breakup was amicable, with no public drama. Alwyn, who inspired songs like “Lover” and “London Boy,” has kept a low profile since their split. Sources close to the actor suggest he’s focused on his career and harbors no ill will toward Swift. However, fans noticed that Alwyn unfollowed Swift on Instagram shortly after the engagement news broke, prompting speculation about his feelings. While some Swifties defended Alwyn, arguing that unfollowing was a natural step to move on, others saw it as a petty move, sparking heated debates on X. One user wrote, “Joe Alwyn unfollowing Taylor is giving ‘I’m fine but not that fine,’” while another countered, “Let the man live! He’s been nothing but respectful.”
Matty Healy: The Controversial Ex
Matty Healy, frontman of The 1975, had a brief and controversial fling with Swift in 2023. Their month-long romance was met with backlash from fans due to Healy’s problematic past, including allegations of offensive remarks. When Swift’s engagement was announced, Healy’s mother, Denise Welch, posted a cryptic comment on a talk show, saying, “Some people find love, others just inspire songs.” The jab, widely interpreted as aimed at Swift, reignited fan outrage, with Swifties flooding X to defend their idol. Welch’s comment was seen as a nod to the short-lived romance and the subsequent fan backlash, with one user tweeting, “Matty Healy’s mom needs to sit this one out. Taylor’s thriving, and they’re still pressed.” The controversy added fuel to the online fire, with fans revisiting Swift’s rumored Healy-inspired tracks from The Tortured Poets Department.
Other Exes: The Silent Majority
Other exes, like Taylor Lautner, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Tom Hiddleston, have stayed out of the spotlight entirely. Lautner, who dated Swift in 2009 and remains on good terms with her, has not commented publicly, though fans noted his wife, also named Taylor, liked Swift’s engagement post, suggesting support. Gyllenhaal, whose brief romance with Swift inspired the iconic “All Too Well,” has maintained his usual media silence, leaving fans to speculate about his thoughts. Hiddleston, who had a whirlwind romance with Swift in 2016, also stayed quiet, consistent with his private nature. The lack of response from these exes has led to a mix of disappointment and amusement among fans, with X posts joking about “the exes who got away without drama.”
The Internet’s Reaction: Memes, Theories, and More
The varied responses from Swift’s exes have turned X into a battleground of memes, hot takes, and fan theories. Swifties, known for their detective-like analysis, have dissected every post, like, and unfollow, creating viral threads that connect the dots between Swift’s music and her exes’ reactions. One popular meme featured a split-screen of Swift’s engagement photos and a screenshot of Harris’ tweet, captioned, “When your ex is engaged, but you’re still stuck in 2016.” Another thread humorously ranked the exes’ reactions, with Styles earning points for “classy silence” and Harris dubbed “most likely to start drama.”
The frenzy has also sparked discussions about Swift’s influence on pop culture. Her ability to turn personal milestones into global events is unmatched, and the engagement has only amplified her cultural dominance. Fans have praised her for finding happiness with Kelce, with many noting that their relationship feels like a departure from her past romances. The “English teacher and gym coach” narrative has resonated widely, with X users creating fan art and edits imagining the couple as high-school sweethearts. The engagement has also inspired a wave of positivity, with fans celebrating Swift’s journey from heartbreak anthems to a real-life love story.
Why the Reactions Matter
The fascination with Swift’s exes stems from her unique ability to weave her personal life into her music, creating a narrative that fans feel invested in. Each ex represents a chapter in her discography, from the youthful angst of Fearless to the introspective heartbreak of Folklore. The engagement with Kelce feels like a culmination of her romantic journey, and the exes’ reactions—whether subtle, shady, or silent—add layers to the story. For Swifties, it’s not just about the engagement but about seeing their idol triumph after years of public scrutiny over her love life.
The online reaction also highlights the power of social media in amplifying celebrity news. X, in particular, has become a hub for real-time discussions, with hashtags like #TaylorEngaged and #SwiftieExDrama trending worldwide. The platform’s mix of humor, speculation, and fan loyalty has turned the exes’ responses into a cultural moment, proving that Swift’s influence extends far beyond music.
Looking Ahead
As Swift and Kelce plan their future, the world will undoubtedly keep watching. The engagement has already set the stage for new music, with fans speculating that Swift’s next album could feature love songs inspired by Kelce. Meanwhile, the exes’ reactions will likely fade into the background, but for now, they’ve provided a fascinating subplot to Swift’s fairy-tale moment. Whether it’s Jonas’ cryptic post, Harris’ ambiguous tweet, or Alwyn’s quiet unfollow, the internet has found plenty to talk about. For Swift, it’s clear that her focus is on her future with Kelce, and fans are ready to celebrate every step of the way.
In the end, Taylor Swift’s engagement is more than just a celebrity milestone—it’s a testament to her ability to captivate the world, turning even the reactions of her exes into a global conversation. As the internet continues to buzz, one thing is certain: Swift’s story is far from over, and her fans will be there for every note.
