We all have those exes our families are relieved about. However, not everyone has a mum who expresses that relief on camera, much to the amusement (or horror?) of the online world. Welcome to the life of Denise Welch, a British television icon and proud mother of The 1975’s Matty Healy (yes, he's a nepo baby). She recently appeared on Watch What Happens Live and made some rather pointed remarks regarding Matty’s past association with Taylor Swift.
Andy Cohen, in his usual style, inquired how Welch felt about the pop superstar’s latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, rumored by many to be influenced by Swift’s brief romance with Healy.
Without missing a beat, Denise declared, “Being her mother-in-law is a role that I am glad that I lost.”
The gasp I let out!
Even the studio audience was taken aback. But before the Swifties could start sharpening their friendship bracelets, Welch clarified, “Not that I have anything against her at all! It was just — it was tricky.”
As Welch wryly noted: “You’re not allowed to say anything, and then she writes a whole album about it.”
God forbid a woman has talent!
In a classic dignified-mum move, Welch quickly switched to praising Healy’s current fiancée, model and singer Gabbriette Bechtel: “Matty has taken it all in completely good grace. He’s very happy with his amazing fiancée, who is gorgeous. So we’ve moved on.”
For anyone who missed this saga (where have you been, honestly?), Swift and Healy’s romance was as brief as your resolve not to check your ex’s Insta. The pair were first spotted hand-in-hand in NYC after Matty attended Taylor’s Eras Tour May 2023 concert in Nashville. By June, it was over and reportedly always “casual”. Matty then moved on with Gabbriette, while Taylor found herself connecting with NFL star Travis Kelce. And all was well in the world, I suppose!
Side note: Travis ‘hard-launched’ his relationship with Swift on Instagram literally the same day Denise delivered her polite shade on TV. And I can’t lie, that does soothe my brain.
Lead image: Getty Images / WWHL
