Joe Jonas is weighing in on Taylor Swift’s newest release, The Life of a Showgirl. The Jonas Brothers member, 36, recently spoke with Esquire and shared his thoughts on Swift’s 12th studio album, which debuted on October 3. The project sees Swift reuniting with longtime collaborators Max Martin and Shellback, who previously worked on her 2017 Reputation album.
“I’ve heard some of it,” Jonas said. “I think she’s obviously the biggest artist out there.” He also offered positive feedback, noting that The Life of a Showgirl features “some catchy melodies.” While he didn’t comment on specific tracks, Jonas acknowledged the buzz surrounding the album, adding, “Everybody’s got an opinion about it, but from what I’ve heard, there are some catchy melodies.”
Jonas and Swift, now 36 and 35 respectively, dated briefly in the late 2000s. Their high-profile 2008 breakup sparked widespread fan speculation that Swift’s Fearless and Speak Now eras were heavily inspired by her experience with Jonas. Songs such as Forever and Always, Mr. Perfectly Fine, and Better Than Revenge have long been rumored to reference the short-lived relationship.
After the split, Swift made headlines for comments she made during an appearance on The Ellen Show. Speaking candidly, she referenced how the breakup happened: “It’s all right, I’m cool you know what? It’s like, when I find that person that is right for me and he’ll be wonderful and when I look at that person I’m not even going to be able to remember the boy who broke up with me over the phone in 25 seconds when I was 18.”
Though the breakup was a major pop culture moment at the time, the relationship between the two appears to have evolved over the years. In a surprising twist, Swift formed a friendship with Jonas’ now ex-wife, actress Sophie Turner.
Fans have pointed to the song “invisible string” from Swift’s 2020 album folklore as a sign of this shift. In the song, Swift sings, “Cold was the steel of my axe to grind, for the boys who broke my heart. Now I send their babies presents.” Many interpreted the lyric as a subtle reference to Jonas and his children with Turner.
Jonas and Turner began dating in 2016 and married in 2019. However, their relationship ended in 2023 when Jonas filed for divorce. As confirmed by court documents obtained by PEOPLE, the filing stated that “the marriage between the parties is irretrievably broken.” A judge finalized the dissolution in September 2024, one year after the initial filing.
During the couple’s divorce proceedings, Swift stepped in to support Turner and her two young daughters, Willa and Delphine. Turner later spoke about the gesture in her June 2024 British Vogue cover story, calling Swift’s actions deeply meaningful during a challenging time.
“Taylor was an absolute hero to me this year,” Turner said in the interview. “I’ve never been more grateful to anyone than I am for her because she took my children and me and provided us with a home and a safe space.” Turner added, “She really has a heart of gold.”
Though years have passed since Swift and Jonas were romantically involved, their personal and professional lives have continued to intersect—whether through music, mutual friendships, or public support in moments of personal difficulty. As Swift’s latest album continues to dominate charts, Jonas’ recognition of her enduring influence underscores the long-running narrative that has followed both artists throughout their careers.