Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift have long been inseparable, with Swift even calling Sheeran her “second brother.”
But recent events suggest their bond has hit a tricky patch.
Sources close to the stars reveal that the timing of their latest album releases has created some tension between the British singer-songwriter and his American friend.
Album Release Clash Sparks Frustration
Sheeran, 34, reportedly wasn’t aware of Swift’s plans when she announced her blockbuster new album The Life Of A Showgirl, which shot straight to the top of the charts.
Sheeran had previously set the release date for his eighth studio album, Play, on September 12, giving fans months to anticipate it.
But when Swift revealed in August that her album would drop on October 3—just weeks after his—Sheeran and his team found themselves scrambling to secure attention before her release.
A music industry insider said: “Ed takes these things really seriously.
He announces his albums well in advance and plans everything meticulously.
Taylor’s announcement came so close to his that it understandably put him out.”
Swift’s History of Strategic Releases
This isn’t the first time Swift’s release strategy has stirred controversy.
Last year, she faced criticism for “chart blocking,” using special album variants in the UK that coincided with Charli XCX’s Brat album, effectively keeping her own The Tortured Poets Department at No.1.
Swift has also used this tactic to maintain dominance in the U.S. charts, releasing multiple digital download variants and CD editions with exclusive songs when Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard And Soft threatened her position.
Fans often purchase each new version, helping Swift secure top chart spots.
Sheeran’s Thoughtful Approach to Timing
Sheeran has openly discussed his careful album planning.
Back in 2017, he explained: “Everyone I was scared of releasing albums around me released them all last year—people like Beyonce and The Weeknd and Bruno Mars.
Taylor isn’t going to release until probably the end of this year—Christmas is the smartest time to release because that’s when everyone buys records.”
Clearly, timing is important to Sheeran, making Swift’s close release date more than just a minor inconvenience.
Decade-Long Friendship with Nashville Roots
The pair’s friendship stretches over a decade, beginning with their 2012 collaboration on Everything Has Changed and continuing through tours and long stays in Nashville.
Sheeran once shared: “We literally spent almost every single day with her for about six months.”
They were last seen together at Selena Gomez’s California wedding on September 27, where both gave speeches.
But album release strategies didn’t come up in conversation.
Missing Out on Personal News
The tension over professional timing seems mirrored in personal news.
Swift recently admitted she forgot to personally tell Sheeran about her engagement to American footballer Travis Kelce.
Instead, Sheeran discovered it on Instagram, alongside millions of other fans.
Swift laughed about the oversight: “This is one of my absolute favourite people on the planet and then when the news came out I was like, ‘Oh my god! We forgot to call Ed!’”
Representatives for Sheeran were contacted for comment.