Matty Healy comforts mother Denise Welch amid backlash for Taylor Swift jibe outside LA restaurant

The scene was reportedly related to a family issue, though the timing closely followed her remarks on Taylor Swift.

Matty Healy was photographed comforting his mother, Denise Welch, in an emotional moment outside a restaurant in West Hollywood on Thursday.

The 1975 frontman and his mother sat on the pavement as Welch was seen dabbing her eyes and leaning on her son’s shoulder while he smoked a cigarette.

Photo: Backgrid

The emotional exchange came shortly after Welch made public remarks about Healy’s former relationship with Taylor Swift during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.

Reflecting on Swift’s 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department, which is widely believed to reference Healy, Welch said: “Obviously, on pain of death can I talk about that episode, but not being her mother-in-law is a role that I am glad that I lost.” She added: “Not that I have anything against her at all. It was just — it was tricky.”

A source told TMZ the tearful scene was related to a private family issue, though the timing closely followed her public comments on Swift. Welch also remarked: “She — listen, you’re not allowed to say anything, and then she writes a whole album about it.”

Healy dated Swift briefly in 2023 following her split from Joe Alwyn. Their relationship ended after a few weeks, reportedly due to scheduling and incompatibility. Healy has since become engaged to model Gabbriette Bechtel in June 2024.

Neither Healy nor Welch has issued an additional statement on the matter.