Taylor Swift’s party girl image is the ‘sweetest revenge’ to ex but isn’t motivated by reason people think, expert says
DATE nights and wild afternoons at football games have seen Taylor Swift’s romance with Travis Kelce go front and center.
According to a psychologist, the once-guarded pop star is “flourishing now and it shows” — and she’s ramped up the way she usually sends messages to her fans.
During their first weeks in public as a couple, Taylor, 33, and Travis, 34, were joined at the hip and brimming with happiness.
After dating rumors picked up pace in September, Taylor cheered Travis on in front of thousands at Arrowhead Stadium.
She drove off with her beau into the sunset in the NFL star’s open-top car.
The internet went into meltdown when the couple held hands for the cameras heading to dinner in New York.
The public frenzy was then boosted when Taylor partied on nights out with her celebrity friends.
Psychologist Jo Hemmings said Taylor’s antics show she has missed “normal” celebrity relationships.
Before Travis, the singer’s most recent long-term love was British actor Joe Alwyn.
Joe, 32, and Taylor became intensely private during their six-year relationship, with the British actor shunning the limelight.
In an exclusive interview, Hemmings told The U.S. Sun: “Joe Alwyn was Taylor’s longest and most serious relationship.
“Joe seemed to want to keep their relationship under wraps and so now Taylor is having fun.
“She also always seemed somewhat held back by previous boyfriends.
“Now she is relishing her freedom with Travis, a man who seems to respect her.
“She wants to feel like a normal celebrity in this great new relationship.”
Hemmings suggested Taylor’s latest high-profile romance is not only giving her a boost.
“We are so used to Taylor being such a private person,” she said.
“She has often only really let us know how she is feeling via the lyrics of her songs.
“Now she has found someone who is loud. She does not need lyrics to show Travis is proud to be dating her.
“It must make her feel really good about herself and boost her self-esteem.”
Fans have speculated that Joe was a driving factor in how private Taylor was during their relationship.
They’ve pointed to evidence in her lyrics, suggesting that Bejeweled from the album midnights was about him not allowing her to shine.
“I miss you,” she croons in the song. “But I miss sparkling.”
Now that she’s back in front of the cameras, Hemmings suggests that Taylor’s sending a message.
“To get back at him in such a public way with someone who she is having a ball with is the sweetest revenge,” she said.
“There does not need to be any lyrics here.”
The Love Story hitmaker has written extensively about her breakups and make-ups over the years.
Her past partners include Matt Healy, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Harry Styles.
During her relationship with Joe, she wrote Dancing With Our Hands Tied about relationships being destroyed in the public eye.
In Wildest Dreams, she sings: “Let’s get out of this town, drive out the city, away from the crowds. No one has to know what we do.”
Swift spoke about privacy to the Guardian in 2019: “I’ve learned that if I do, people think it’s up for discussion.
“And our relationship isn’t up for discussion.”
Hemmings said: “Joe seemed to rush Taylor in and out of events. It was almost as if he was embarrassed to be with her.
“Travis is only too happy to showcase Taylor.
“Now she has her first real taste of freedom in a long time and with a boyfriend who is much more secure in himself.
“Taylor is making up for lost time and this is good for her.
“She is also meshing together those different selves of hers and now understands they can sit together comfortably.
“This is genuine and she is showing mature authenticity.”
Travis set the rumor mill on fire when he hinted at a romance with Taylor in July.
During his New Heights podcast, he said had hoped to give her his number at her Eras Tour.
From there, he has said to his brother Jason: “My personal life that’s not so personal. I did this to myself, Jason, I know this.”
Hemmings continued: “At the end of the day, Taylor and Travis have nothing to hide.
“So why not be seen out and show off the excitement of their new relationship?
“Taylor is flourishing now and it shows. She is making up for lost time with her friends as well.
“This is all healthy and good for her.”