The “Sweeran” Friendship Shaken – Ed Sheeran Reveals the Truth After Taylor Swift’s Engagement

When the world learned about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement, fans erupted with excitement, but no one was more surprised than Ed Sheeran—one of Taylor’s closest collaborators. Despite their long-standing friendship, Sheeran revealed that he discovered the news in the most ordinary way possible: scrolling on Instagram.

Sometimes, celebrities are just like us. Even global music icons can be left in the dark about their friends’ personal lives until a social media post makes it official.

In this article, we’ll break down how Ed Sheeran reacted to Taylor Swift’s engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce, revisit Sheeran’s deep connection to Taylor, and look back at Taylor and Travis’ whirlwind love story that captured the world’s attention.

Ed Sheeran’s Unexpected Discovery

During a September 24 appearance on SiriusXM’s Small Stage Series, Ed Sheeran admitted he first heard about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement through Instagram.

“I found out the same way everyone else did,” Sheeran shared.

That simple revelation stunned fans. After all, Ed and Taylor have been close friends for over a decade, collaborating on hits like Everything Has Changed and End Game. Many assumed Sheeran would be among the first to know about such a monumental moment in Taylor’s life.

But Taylor Swift has always been known for her discretion. From her songwriting to her public appearances, she carefully controls what she shares and when. For this engagement, she chose to keep even her inner circle guessing until the official reveal.

Sheeran also confirmed he hasn’t yet heard Taylor’s upcoming album, The Life of a Showgirl (releasing October 3), nor has he received a wedding “save the date.” His response was short and sweet: “No.”

The “Sweeran” Friendship

For fans of the Sweeran friendship (a nickname given to Ed and Taylor’s close bond), his lack of insider knowledge came as a surprise. Over the years, Taylor has played a meaningful role in Sheeran’s personal life.

In fact, she had a direct hand in his love story with Cherry Seaborn, whom Sheeran married in 2019.

“Our anniversary is her 4th of July party,” Ed told People back in 2017. “I was texting Cherry, and she was like, ‘I’m in Rhode Island at a 4th of July party,’ and I was like, ‘So am I.’ I asked Taylor if I could invite her, and the rest is history.”

Taylor even celebrated their rekindled romance by including a nod in her 2017 track End Game, where Sheeran sings:
“After the storm, something was born on the 4th of July.”

She didn’t stop there. For their first anniversary, Taylor jokingly made a sign that read: Happy Ed-iver-Cherry. It’s clear that their friendship has always been rooted in genuine support and playful camaraderie.

Sheeran once described Taylor as “the world’s best wingman,” recalling how she would encourage him to meet and date her friends. Though he admitted he wasn’t quite as good at returning the favor, their dynamic has remained one of the most authentic friendships in the music industry.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce: A Timeline of Love

While Ed Sheeran may have been surprised by the engagement, fans have closely followed the romance between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce since its early days. Their relationship has played out in real time, blending pop culture with professional sports in a way few couples ever have.

Let’s take a look back at the major milestones of their love story.

July 2023: A Friendship Bracelet and a Missed Opportunity

Travis Kelce first revealed his interest when Taylor’s Eras Tour stopped at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. He made friendship bracelets with his number on them, hoping to give one to her. Unfortunately, she wasn’t meeting fans before or after the show.

Summer 2023: Shooting His Shot

Not discouraged, Travis went public on his New Heights podcast, sharing how he wished he’d been able to meet Taylor. Later, he invited her to a Chiefs game, joking that she should come see him “rock the stage” at Arrowhead.

September 2023: Sparks Begin to Fly

By September, insiders confirmed that the two were texting and keeping things “low-key.” That same month, Taylor made her first appearance at a Chiefs game, sitting alongside Travis’ mom, Donna Kelce. Their bar date after the game made headlines worldwide.

October 2023: Squad Goals

Taylor brought her celebrity friends—including Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Hugh Jackman—to watch Travis play in New York. It was clear she wasn’t hiding her new romance.

November 2023: Argentina and a Special Shoutout

During her Argentina concert, Taylor changed the lyrics of her hit Karma to “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs,” delighting fans as Travis watched from the crowd. Their backstage kiss became one of the most replayed clips of the year.

February 2024: Super Bowl Glory

After the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory, Taylor and Travis shared a celebratory kiss on the field. It marked one of the defining images of their relationship—music royalty and football royalty united.

2024–2025: Going Public and Growing Stronger

From double dates with Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds to appearing on Saturday Night Live, Taylor and Travis embraced their life in the spotlight. They traveled together, supported each other’s careers, and eventually went “Instagram official.”

August 2025: The Engagement

More than two years after their story began, Taylor and Travis announced their engagement with a cheeky Instagram post:

“Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”

The post, featuring their engagement photos, instantly broke the internet.

Why Ed Sheeran’s Reaction Matters

Ed Sheeran’s candid admission highlights something unique about Taylor Swift: despite her status as one of the most famous people in the world, she remains intentional about her personal life. Even her closest friends can be surprised by her choices.

For fans, Sheeran’s story humanizes the engagement news. It shows that even stars like Ed—who has shared stages, songs, and memories with Taylor—can find out life-changing updates the same way as the rest of us.

It also underscores just how private Taylor and Travis kept their relationship milestones until they were ready to share them. Their engagement announcement wasn’t leaked, teased, or rumored—it was revealed exactly how they wanted, when they wanted.

The Bigger Picture

As Taylor prepares for the release of her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, her relationship with Travis Kelce adds a new chapter to her narrative. Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran continues to stand by as a supportive friend, watching from the sidelines just like the rest of the world.

Their friendship reminds us of the power of genuine bonds in an industry often filled with surface-level connections. And their stories—Ed’s with Cherry, Taylor’s with Travis—intertwine in ways that feel both relatable and extraordinary.

The fact that Ed Sheeran found out about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement through Instagram might seem shocking at first, but it reflects the deliberate privacy Taylor has always maintained.

Their love story, filled with friendship bracelets, stadium moments, and shared celebrations, has become one of the most captivating romances in recent memory. And with Ed Sheeran cheering from afar, fans can only imagine how this next chapter will inspire future music, friendships, and unforgettable moments.