Joe Alwyn, the actor who fled fame during his relationship with Taylor Swift

Joe Alwyn confessed to The Guardian that, being naturally shy, he never fit the stereotype of the extroverted actor. For him, the fame derived from his relationship with Taylor Swift –rumoured between dating, engagement and break-up– took away from his career. Now, almost two years after their separation, the actor sees how his almost 10 years of career are beginning to bear fruit, highlighting his role in The Brutalist, which has earned him the privilege of presenting an Oscar this Sunday.

Raised in Tufnell Park, London, in a supportive family – his father, a filmmaker and teacher, and his mother, a psychotherapist – Alwyn trained at the University of Bristol and at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. His big break came in 2016, when he starred in Ang Lee's Billy Lynn, which led him to attend, for the first time, exclusive events such as the MET gala in New York.

Although he went unnoticed on the red carpet, he caught Taylor Swift's attention. The friendship turned into a discreet and guarded love, marked by the absence of images and the insistent avoidance of the press. During the pandemic, he moved to Los Angeles with her, and together, in a disconcerting musical moment, they wrote songs that ended up winning Grammy Awards (under the pseudonym William Bovery).

Rumors of a breakup arose in March 2023, confirmed shortly after as “friendly” by media such as People. While his love life overshadowed his acting work – he participated in more than 10 productions in that period – today Alwyn is committed to being recognized for his work, accepting new projects and appearances at major international events. Back in London and surrounded by friends, he insists on maintaining his privacy and leaving behind the label of “Taylor Swift's ex-boyfriend” to focus on his professional future.