Ed Sheeran has expressed deep admiration for Taylor Swift in a new interview, even as reports continue to circulate about strain between the two longtime friends and collaborators.
Speaking on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, the 34-year-old singer opened up about his early creative connection with Swift and the bond they built over the years.
Sheeran recalled first meeting Swift backstage during an opening set for Snow Patrol in Nashville. Knowing she was familiar with his music, he approached her with an offer: “If you ever want to write a song, I’m around.” The conversation sparked their first collaboration and the beginning of a long-running musical partnership.
“Obviously, we’re the opposite …, and we’re from different countries and cultures, but I feel very intertwined creatively with her,” Sheeran said, emphasizing the effortless chemistry they share as songwriters.
Swift has also spoken warmly about Sheeran in the past. In a 2017 Rolling Stone cover story, she famously described him as “the James Taylor to my Carole King,” noting she couldn’t imagine a time when he wouldn’t be part of her life both musically and personally.
However, their long-standing friendship reportedly hit a rough patch earlier this year. Industry insiders claim Sheeran was blindsided when Swift announced her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, just weeks after he released his own album Play. Swift’s album rollout allegedly overshadowed Sheeran’s release, which had already hit streaming platforms and was expected to dominate charts.
A source said Sheeran was “meticulous about timing” and felt the overlap disrupted his promotional strategy. “His team had to scramble to adjust their plans and bring things forward,” the insider explained. “He was definitely upset, and it’s created real tension between them.”
From Sheeran’s perspective, the source added, Swift didn’t need to schedule her release so close to his—but did so anyway. “Taylor’s incredibly competitive, and when she’s focused on an album rollout, nothing else takes priority. Ed felt completely blindsided.”
Despite the reported tensions, Sheeran’s latest remarks highlight the deep creative respect and history he shares with Swift—suggesting that even in the midst of industry pressures, their artistic bond remains significant.