Was anyone else hoping that the Matty Healy and Taylor Swift dating rumours were just a weird fever dream? Or, at the very least, a savvy PR stunt to move fans away from their obsessing over her relationship breakdown with Joe Alwyn? We certainly were, as were many of Taylor's hardened fans.
The couple were spotted in a car together over the weekend (revolutionary, we know), and - in more tangible evidence - the pair both mouthed the words 'This is about you, you know who you are. I love you!' on stage at separate concerts last week. Matty was also spotted at Taylor's concerts alongside some of her best friends, pictured with his hand over his heart as Taylor sang new relationship anthem 'Lover'.
So, with mounting evidence that Matty Healy and Taylor Swift are actually dating, the internet is ablaze with commentary. It wouldn't be quite so controversial had Matty not been in the news recently for very questionable behaviour, from kissing fans at his concerts to mocking asian accents on a podcast. This is a man, remember, who has been so publicly pretentious he inspired an article titled 'A look back at the wankiest stuff The 1975’s Matty Healy has ever said' in The Tab in 2020. In fact, 'Matty Healy problematic' is a breakout search term on the musician, as people seek to know more about why he's such a troubling choice for Taylor's new man.
Why is Matty Healy problematic?
This Twitter thread breaks down everything Matty has been accused of, including his responses and apologies - most concerningly for Taylor, it even includes a reference to how dating her would be 'emasculating'.
Grazia is not responsible for content published on external websites.
In response to the backlash about his behaviour, he issued a catch-all apology to an audience in Auckland saying, 'I just feel a bit bad, and I'm kind of a bit sorry if I've offended you. Ice Spice, I'm sorry. It's not because i'm annoyed that me joking got misconstrued. It's because I don't want Ice Spice to think I'm a dick. I love you, Ice Spice. I'm so sorry.'
But beyond all of the allegations online, the overriding question is how Matty Healy has been behaving on stage recently. The 33-year-old found himself at the heart of a Twitter storm in January following one gig when videos emerged of him sucking one fan's thumb, and locking lips with another.
Matt's parents Denise Welch and Tim Healy were amongst the 4500 who packed out The Brighton Centre during the concert, and many were stunned that Matt would behave so provocatively in front of them. 'In front of his parents????' a confused user wrote under one of the videos.
And while some fans seem to love the possibility of getting even closer to their idol, his actions have not been given the seal of approval from everyone. 'What happened to just... performing?' someone questioned. Meanwhile, another unimpressed individual penned, 'Y’all are encouraging this man’s behaviour and it’s actually disgusting'.
It is not the first time the Robbers singer has grabbed headlines during The 1975's At Their Very Best tour. In December, he kissed a fan after spotting her sign asking him to be her first kiss... but not before checking her ID to confirm her age.
It's that kind of behaviour that has fans concerned, because a man in such a position of power over hordes of young women (and often teens) needs to recognise the influence he holds and act accordingly.