Everything has changed for Taylor Swift. Once known for her busy, high-profile, high-drama dating life, the "Love Story" singer is now flying solo — a choice she says was very intentional.
"I don't have anyone whose feelings are on the line except for me," she told Billboard in a new "Woman of the Year" cover story interview about her independence. "If I was in love with someone right now, I don't know how I would handle everyone else weighing in on our stories, because when you're in a relationship there are a lot of secrets and a lot of sacred moments that you don't want to divulge."
Swift was last in a relationship with One Direction's Harry Styles, whom she started dating in October 2012, and split from in January 2013. Her other former flings include Conor Kennedy, Jake Gyllenhaal, John Mayer, and Taylor Lautner.
Though she was dating in the public eye for much of her late teens and early 20s, the country-turned-pop star says that she's hit her stride as a single woman, finding her way on her own. Swift is rumored to be seeing The 1975 singer Matthew Healy, but has yet to confirm or deny.
"I am 24, perfectly happy being alone," the "Blank Space" singer told Billboard. "One of the reasons I'm perfectly happy being alone is that no one gets hurt this way."
The Grammy winner has famously used said heartbreak for inspiration in the past, making millions by penning lyrics about breakups and betrayal. Despite cryptically boyfriend-referencing songs like "Style" and "Out of the Woods," Swift told Rolling Stone this past September that her latest album 1989 it "not as boycentric of an album, because my life hasn't been boycentric."
She added that she hasn't put herself out there much in the 23 months since she and Styles split. "Like, have not gone on a date," Swift said. "People are going to feel sorry for me when you write that. But it's true."
