Jade Thirlwall isn’t mincing words when it comes to Matty Healy.
The 32-year-old Little Mix singer — who is set to drop her debut solo album in September — slammed The 1975 artist as “very privileged” in new interview, during which she touched on her strong political stance (and Healy’s decision to keep the band’s political views private).
“I don’t think you can be a pop artist and cover your eyes,” Thirlwall told The Guardianin an in-depth interview published on Saturday, August 16. “I saw Matty Healy say that he doesn’t want to be political, which I found disappointing. It’s very easy for someone who’s white and straight and very privileged to say that. Good for you, hun!”
The “Angel of My Dreams” singer is most likely referring to Healy’s speech at The 1975’s set at Glastonbury this summer, during which he said the group made a “conscious decision” not to get political — acknowledging that it may “disappoint” fans.
“We honestly don’t want our legacy to be one of politics. We want it to be that of love and friendship. I’m not trying to be too earnest, but you can go out into the world and there’s loads of politics everywhere,” the “Chocolate” singer told the crowd. “We don’t need more politics. We need more love and friendship.”
Speaking of love, Healy — who is currently engaged to Gabbriette Bechtel — famously dated Taylor Swift for a month in early summer 2023, just a few months before the 14-time Grammy winner began dating Travis Kelce.
Robert Kamau/GC Images
As Swifties are well aware, Swift’s latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, is thought to be heavily inspired by her fling with Healy.
As for Healy’s controversial moments — in addition to Thirlwall’s specific call-out and some of Swift’s lyrics on TTPD — the “Robbers” singer has been in hot water multiple times over the years. Healy previously made racially insensitive and seemingly misogynistic comments — and had some questionable onstage behavior — all of which was heavily scrutinized when he dated Swift.
And in addition to his already-criticized speech at Glastonbury, Healy also appeared to throw shade Swift as well. “I’m probably the best songwriter of my generation,” he told the crowd, before seemingly referring to TTPD. “The best, what do we say — A POET — ladies and gentlemen, is what I am.”