In a heartwarming revelation that has put all rumours to rest, global music superstar Ed Sheeran has confirmed that his long-standing friendship with Taylor Swift is as strong as ever. The singer disclosed that he engaged in a four-hour, deeply personal conversation with Swift just one week after the news of her engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce broke. Sheeran, who famously does not use a phone, found out about the big life update the same way millions of fans did—by seeing it on Instagram.
A Friendship Tested by Headlines
Despite being close friends for over 11 years, a period during which Swift has referred to Sheeran as her "second brother," the "Shape of You" hitmaker was not personally informed about the engagement beforehand. Taylor Swift later admitted she genuinely forgot to call Ed before announcing the news to her 282 million Instagram followers. This led to widespread speculation in the media that their bond was in trouble. However, Sheeran's recent statements to Access Hollywood have firmly debunked these claims.
Their subsequent meeting was far from awkward. Sheeran described the four-hour talk as a warm and normal catch-up about life, deliberately avoiding discussions about music or work. He emphasised his preference for in-person connections, stating that not having a phone helps him stay genuinely close to his friends when they meet face-to-face.
Navigating Album Releases and Chart Dynamics
Adding fuel to the rumours of a rift were reports concerning their album release schedules. According to a music source cited by the Daily Mail, Sheeran's team was reportedly upset when Taylor Swift released her album "The Life Of A Showgirl" just weeks after he announced his own album, "Play." Swift's massive release quickly dominated the charts, a move that has previously drawn criticism for "chart blocking" due to her strategy of releasing multiple album versions.
Yet, Ed Sheeran insists that this professional overlap did not strain their personal relationship. He asserted that he is not stressed about their bond, highlighting that after so many years, they always "click" back into place effortlessly whenever they meet.
An Enduring Bond Beyond the Noise
The strength of their friendship was further evidenced at Selena Gomez’s California wedding on September 27, where both stars were in attendance, delivered speeches, and interacted without any visible tension. Sheeran summed up their relationship as old, steady, and real, a connection that easily withstands the pressures of busy lives, chart competitions, and monumental personal announcements.
Taylor Swift's affectionate description of Sheeran as one of her "favorite people on the planet" and their marathon heart-to-heart conversation prove that some friendships are built to last, no matter the headlines.
