Despite breaking up over a year ago and avoiding the public eye, Joe Alwyn is reportedly still earning money from his ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift, and it's a lot. Swift has since moved on with NFL star Travis Kelce, but that won't come in the way of Alwyn's paycheck, as he will still reap the benefits of their relationship.
Alwyn and Swift dated for six years, much of which was in secret and then behind closed doors during the pandemic. It was during this time that Swift wrote one of her most beloved albums, Folklore, and its sister album, Evermore.
Fans quickly spotted a mysterious co-writer on several songs by the name of "William Bowery." It was later confirmed by both Swift and later Alwyn that he was this co-creator. Alwyn is credited on six of Swift's songs: "exile," "betty," "coney island," "evermore," "champagne problems," and "Sweet Nothing." His work on Folklore made him a Grammy winner in 2021. But it's supplied more than an award, as Alwyn has supposedly pocketed about $2.3 million in Spotify streams alone, according to Life & Style.
When discussing her experience writing Folklore, Swift revealed she was "lonely": “[I was] imagining that, instead of being a lonely millennial woman covered in cat hair drinking my weight in white wine, I was a ghostly Victorian lady wandering through the woods with a candle in a candlestick holder, and I wrote only on parchment with a feathered quill,” Swift said.
As a credited writer, Alwyn will continue to receive royalty checks from additional streaming and Swift's live performances. “Fair or not, it’s made him a very rich guy,” a source told Life & Style. “Joe is making so much on royalties and returns from [Swift's] Eras tour that he doesn’t ever need to worry about money again.”
Alwyn almost won a second Grammy thanks to his work with Swift, as Midnights earned Album of the Year honors at February’s Grammys. But a rule change that went into effect in June 2023 insisted that artists who collaborated on an album must be credited with at least 20 percent of the record’s running time to qualify for Album of the Year recognition. Since Alwyn had only been credited for one track, "Sweet Nothing," he was therefore ineligible for this second Grammy.
Swift's next studio album will be released on April 19 and will likely not have any tracks crediting Alwyn. However, he might play the role of muse for her The Tortured Poets Department. Fans believe the tracks “So Long, London” and “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" will discuss her breakup with Alwyn. Others believe that the majority of the album will focus on her brief fling with Matty Healy, lead singer of The 1975.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Fleurine Tideman is a freelance writer who is always ready to discuss celebrities, entertainment, mental health, relationships and anything else her busy brain comes up with. She comes from the small, rainy land of the Netherlands, but she uses the flexibility of her work to travel around Europe and explore new places. She spent several years working in the travel industry, which taught her how to fit insane amounts in her hand luggage. She has a degree in Psychology and Anthropology, which she uses to psychoanalyse herself and others. She’s a regular contributor for Betches, and you can also find her work on Pop Sugar, Insider, Time Out or her own blog, Symptoms of Living. At Marie Claire, she’ll be covering celebrity news, usually written to the sounds of Taylor Swift.
-
Suki Waterhouse Wore Adidas SL 72 Sneakers to Coachella
Get a pair before they're sold out everywhere.
By Allyson Payer Published
-
Taylor Swift Works a Low-Key Necklace Into Her Gala Outfit
And, maybe, a 'Reputation' Easter egg.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Emily Blunt's Cuyana Tote Is Already an Editor's Must-Have
It's a workwear staple.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Travis Kelce Just Became the NFL's Highest Paid Tight End
He's thriving.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Charlie Puth Responds to Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department' Callout
Swift thinks Puth "should be a bigger artist."
By Meghan De Maria Published
-
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Have Supposedly Further "Deepened Their Bond" Recently
Swift is reportedly "sad" she'll be leaving Kelce to go on tour in Europe.
By Meghan De Maria Published
-
Joe Alwyn Is "Dating and Happy" a Year On From Taylor Swift Breakup: Source
He has no hard feelings.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Taylor Swift Is "Floored" by the Success of Her New Album
She can't believe it.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Taylor Swift “Wants a Happy Ending” with Travis Kelce, and Hopes “He Doesn’t Get Freaked Out About the Fame”
The couple just returned from a private couples’ getaway with friends Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Kim Kardashian Posts Photo With Karlie Kloss, Taylor Swift Fans Think It's a Diss
Hmmmmm.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Matty Healy Has "Respectful" Reaction to Taylor Swift "Diss Track" About Him
Fans were impressed with him.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published