Jake Gyllenhaal [1] is all too well amid renewed discourse around his previous relationship with Taylor Swift [2]. The 32-year-old singer released the rerecorded version of her album "Red" [3] in November 2021 — a project reportedly inspired by her whirlwind two-month relationship with Gyllenhaal [4] in 2009. The spectacle surrounding their dating history was further amplified when Swift unveiled "All Too Well (10 Minute Version)," followed by a short film [5] set to the tune of the 10-minute version starring Sadie Sink [6] and Dylan O'Brien [7].
In a new interview, Gyllenhaal opened up about his feelings about "Red." "It is her expression. Artists tap into personal experiences for inspiration and I don't begrudge anyone that," he told Esquire [8]. When asked if he's ever listened to the album, he told the outlet, "No."
"The Guilty" actor was critical of Swift's fandom, however, suggesting she has a responsibility to reign them in. "At some point, I think it's important when supporters get unruly that we feel a responsibility to have them be civil and not allow for cyberbullying in one's name," he said. "Not about any individual, per se, but a conversation that allows us to examine how we can — or should, even — take responsibility for what we put into the world, our contributions into the world. How do we provoke a conversation? We see that in politics. There's anger and divisiveness, and it's literally life-threatening in the extreme."
Despite the spotlight on his relationship and, of course, the missing red scarf [9], Gyllenhaal said he's largely unfazed. "I'm not unaware that there's interest in my life . . . My life is wonderful," he told Esquire. "I have a relationship that is truly wonderful, and I have a family I love so much. And this whole period of time has made me realise that." Gyllenhaal has dated model Jeanne Cadieu [10] since 2018. Swift, meanwhile, has been dating actor Joe Alwyn [11] since 2017.
