The Evolution of Taylor Swift and Florence Welch's Friendship: From Close Friends to Creative Partners

Taylor Swift and Florence Welch s Friendship Timeline

Taylor Swift and Florence Welch.

Taylor Swift has been friends with lead singer Florence Welch from Florence + the Machine for over a decade. According to Swift, Florence stands out in every way. In an interview with Billboard in May 2015, Swift mentioned that whenever she is around Florence, she exudes a magnetic presence that captivates everyone in the room. Despite the attention she receives, Florence has a way of making people feel special with her warm compliments, instantly putting them at ease. Swift admires Florence for her rare ability to truly captivate and connect with others, describing her as one of the few truly electric individuals she has ever met in her life.

Welch credited Taylor Swift for inspiring her to release her vulnerable third album, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, in 2015. Swift advised Welch to sing about what's happening in her life, encouraging her to be brave. Welch mentioned in an interview with Billboard that she always tries to meet up with Swift whenever she is in New York City.

The two artists share mutual friends, with Welch being close to Swift's best friend, Blake Lively. Welch even performed at Lively and Ryan Reynolds' wedding in 2012. Additionally, Welch has collaborated with some of Swift's music partners, including Calvin Harris and Rihanna on "18 Months (Continuous Mix)." Interestingly, Swift also worked with Harris and Rihanna on "This Is What You Came For" using the alias Nils Sjöberg. It's worth noting that Swift and Harris were in a relationship for 15 months before parting ways in June 2016.

Welch has collaborated with Jack Antonoff, a longtime producer of Taylor Swift who has worked on over 10 of her albums. Antonoff produced most of the tracks on Florence + the Machine's 2022 album, Dance Fever. Meanwhile, Welch co-wrote, co-produced, and provided backing vocals for Antonoff's song "Self Respect" by Bleachers, which was released in March 2024.

As their first collaboration together debuts on The Tortured Poets Department in April 2024, take a look back at the history of Taylor Swift and Florence Welch's friendship.

May 2015

Swift shared with Billboard that Welch is not only the most enjoyable person to dance with at a party but also someone you can have deep conversations with about love and heartbreak just five minutes later.

During a heart-to-heart chat, the singer from England turned to Swift for advice when her relationship ended. Welch shared with The Sunday Times Magazine, "I know it may sound like a cliché, but she's great to talk to about boys. She really knows her stuff."

Welch reminisced about seeking guidance from a group of celebrities at Swift's New York City apartment during an impromptu pizza party after the Met Gala. "Lena Dunham, Spike Jonze, Reese Witherspoon, and Zooey Deschanel were all there, munching on pizza and chatting about boys," Welch recalled. "I had already asked numerous taxi drivers and everyone else I knew for advice, so I figured, why not seek input from Taylor Swift and Spike Jonze too?"

However, she didn’t share their specific insight. “I don’t want to go too much into it, but they were very helpful.”

October 2015

Welch expressed her desire to attend Swift's 1989 tour and potentially make a guest appearance if their schedules align. She mentioned to USA Today, "Our schedules haven't matched up perfectly, but I would definitely be interested in performing. Mostly, I just really want to watch the show. I'm disappointed that I haven't had the chance yet, but I am eager to do so."

She added that her favorite song was “Shake It Off” because “it just makes me so happy.”

February 2016

At the Grammys, Taylor Swift's album "1989" won over Florence + the Machine's "How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful" in the Pop Vocal Album category.

Before the ceremony, Florence Welch mentioned on E! Live From the Red Carpet that Taylor Swift did not directly inspire her to create her album. Instead, Swift's support gave her the courage to share such personal and emotional music.

Welch shared that she was nervous when she saw her after finishing the record. She felt like the record was very personal, and she was concerned about how it would be received. However, the person she saw managed to incorporate elements of life with grace. Despite Welch's nerves, the person reassured her by saying, "It's got that good energy."

Taylor Swift and Florence Welch s Friendship Timeline

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May 2016

Welch attended the Met Gala, which was co-chaired by Swift that year. She was spotted signing the cast on Lorde’s broken arm as Swift looked on.

January 2023

The friends were seen hanging out at The 1975’s London concert. Swift even performed her song “Anti-Hero” on stage. Loose Women host Denise Welch shared a photo on X with Taylor Swift, with the rock star in the background. Denise captioned it as “Taylor with the Welch’s.”

Taylor Swift and Florence Welch s Friendship Timeline

Courtesy of Denise Welch/Instagram

April 2024

Swift will release The Tortured Poets Department, the eighth track of which is titled “Florida!!!” and features Florence + the Machine.

Editor's P/S:

The friendship between Taylor Swift and Florence Welch is a testament to the power of mutual respect and admiration. Swift admires Welch's captivating presence and ability to connect with others, while Welch credits Swift with inspiring her to release her vulnerable third album. Their friendship has stood the test of time, with Welch attending Swift's events and Swift supporting Welch's music. Their collaboration on Swift's upcoming album, The Tortured Poets Department, is a highly anticipated event that will undoubtedly showcase their shared talent and creativity.

Their friendship is also notable for its inclusivity, with both artists having close relationships with Swift's best friend, Blake Lively. Welch's performance at Lively's wedding and her collaborations with Swift's music partners demonstrate the interconnectedness of their social circles. This shared network of friends and collaborators has undoubtedly contributed to the strength and longevity of their bond.