Matty Healy’s Mom Shades Taylor Swift: “Glad I’m Not Her Mother‑in‑Law”

During a July 24 appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Denise Welch—actress and mother of The 1975 frontman Matty Healy—made headlines with a pointed and candid comment about her son's brief romance with Taylor Swift.

Mother-of-the-Groom? Not Quite..

When asked about Taylor Swift’s 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department, which fans widely believe references her son Matty, Welch quipped: “Not being her mother‑in‑law is a role that I am glad that I lost.” Her remark drew audible gasps from the live studio audience. She quickly clarified that she harbors no personal ill will: “Not that I have anything against her at all! It was just… tricky.”

Why Did It Feel “Tricky”?

Welch expressed discomfort that Taylor remained silent during the relationship but then appeared to reflect on it extensively through her lyrics. She added that Matty found the entire experience difficult to navigate—yet he did so with dignity and composure.

Moving On with Love..

Welch praised her son for handling the public scrutiny gracefully. She also spoke warmly of Matty’s fiancée, model and singer Gabriella "Gabbriette" Bechtel, calling her “amazing” and noting that Matty is now very happy in his new relationship. “We've moved on,” she concluded with a smile.

A Recap of Their Brief Romance..

Timeline	Details
Mid-2023	Matty and Taylor dated shortly after her breakup with Joe Alwyn
Late 2023	Swift began dating NFL star Travis Kelce
June 2024	Matty got engaged to Gabriette Bechtel

Since then, Taylor’s album has been widely interpreted as drawing from their short-lived relationship, especially in tracks like “Guilty As Sin?” and “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived.” Meanwhile, Matty has made it clear that he prefers not to mine his personal history for songs in his own music projects.

Why This Resonates

1. A mother’s perspective: Welch’s comment adds a human, emotional layer to a story often told through celebrity scrutiny.

2. Power dynamics in storytelling: The contrast between Swift’s ability to express their relationship in song and Matty’s position of silence felt unfair to Welch.

3. New beginnings: Her emphasis on Matty’s engagement and happiness underscores how people involved in celebrity narratives eventually move forward.

Final Take

Denise Welch’s remarks offer a witty but pointed peek into a complicated chapter of her son’s life. Forced to watch from the sidelines while Taylor made their story public through music, she found both humor and frustration in the aftermath. Yet her focus now is on the future: Matty’s new love and the peace that comes with moving on.