For a brief but blazing three months in the summer of 2016, Tom Hiddleston and Taylor Swift became one of Hollywood's most talked-about couples, a whirlwind romance that captivated fans before ending as abruptly as it began.
The Summer of Hiddleswift: A Timeline
Their romance first ignited in June 2016, shortly after Swift concluded her 15-month relationship with DJ Calvin Harris. The new pair were quickly spotted looking cosy together, and their relationship escalated rapidly. In a sign of serious intent, they reportedly met each other's parents, sending the rumour mill into overdrive.
The relationship reached its iconic, and arguably most infamous, moment on the Fourth of July. Hiddleston was photographed at a party hosted by Blake Lively wearing a tank top emblazoned with 'I ♥ T.S'. The image went viral instantly, with many critics labelling the public display as 'cringe'.
The Sudden Split and Conflicting Rumours
By September 2016, the couple had called it quits. While reports at the time suggested an 'amicable split', the reasons behind the breakup were shrouded in conflicting rumours. Initially, some sources claimed Swift ended it due to Hiddleston's 'hunger for attention'.
However, other reports soon surfaced, notably in The Sun, suggesting it was Hiddleston who initiated the split, with insiders describing him as "a commitment-phobe who gets bored easily". This left the true catalyst for their parting unclear to the public.
Setting the Record Straight: Hiddleston's Account
In a later interview with GQ US, Tom Hiddleston addressed the relationship and the notorious tank top directly. He described Taylor Swift as 'generous and kind and lovely', stating emphatically, "Of course it was real."
He offered a practical explanation for the 'I ♥ T.S' top, revealing it was a joke among friends. "I slipped and hurt my back... I wanted to protect the graze from the sun," he explained. A friend offered the shirt, and they all laughed about it. Hiddleston expressed surprise at the intense scrutiny, noting the garment had become "an emblem of this thing."
On the challenges that led to their split, Hiddleston reflected, "A relationship in the limelight takes work. And it’s not just the limelight. It’s everything else." He maintained there was no ill will, concluding, "I only know the woman I met. She’s incredible."
Legacy in Song and Moving On
The romance, though short-lived, is believed to have left a significant mark on Swift's songwriting. Fans widely speculate that tracks from her Reputation era, including 'Getaway Car', 'Gorgeous', and 'Cruel Summer', were inspired by her time with the British actor.
Both stars have since moved on to long-term commitments. Swift dated actor Joe Alwyn for seven years after Hiddleston and is now engaged to NFL superstar Travis Kelce. Hiddleston became engaged to actress Zawe Ashton in May 2022, and the couple welcomed their first child later that year.
Professionally, their careers have continued to skyrocket. Hiddleston is set to return to screens in the second series of BBC's 'The Night Manager', premiering on BBC One and iPlayer on 1 January 2026, nearly a decade after the first season aired.
