News | Entertainment
23 Jan 2026 3:31
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Andrew Scott has dismissed theories his 'Tortured Man Club' WhatsApp group inspired the title of Taylor Swift's latest album

    The 'Ripley' actor, 47, was at the centre of gossip among fans when the singer released her 11th studio record - 'The Tortured Poets Department' - that it was reference the jokey title Andrew and Taylor's ex, actor Joe Alwyn, 33, as well as their friend Paul Mescal, had for their text chats


    Revealing 'The Tortured Man Club' group only contained three messages and referred to twisted characters they were playing at the time it was created, Andrew told Variety: "Let me tell you what that is!... so they were about to play these tortured characters, and I had played a tortured character in 'Fleabag'.

    "It wasn't about our own characteristics!... I think there were three texts, like, ''Hey, guys.''

    "You know those groups that you set up, and they just collapse."

    Andrew added about Taylor's new record: "(It is) sensational! I texted her yesterday to say how amazing it is...I think she is just a force of nature, just an extraordinary human, and this album is really, really amazing."

    In 2022, Joe - who dated Taylor for six years before their April 2023 break-up - revealed a mutual friend created a WhatsApp group with him and Andrew's actor pal Paul Mescal, 28, called 'The Tortured Man Club'.

    They later told Variety Andrew started the group, with Paul saying in a joint chat with the actors: "He's just on it every day. He's just on it by himself."

    Joe added: "Just messaging himself good mornings."

    Fans are also convinced Taylor's latest album contains a string of nods to her past relationships and current romance with her Super Bowl-winning boyfriend Travis Kelce.

    It has been reported The Kansas City Chiefs player, 34, has "zero concern" about her habit of using her romances as inspiration for her music and lyrics.

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     22 Jan: Valentino has died at the age of 93
     22 Jan: Lily Allen is "happy to be alive" after a lorry ran her new Porsche "off the road"
     22 Jan: Valerie Bertinelli claims she was "fired" as a spokesperson for a diet company because she gained weight
     22 Jan: Stellan Skarsgard has branded Donald Trump a "little man who got megalomania"
     22 Jan: Chris Pratt has admitted he won't keep the giant painting of his father-in-law Arnold Schwarzenegger on the wall all year round
     22 Jan: Drew Starkey has been appointed brand ambassador for Dior
     22 Jan: Noel Gallagher's daughter Anais is convinced her dad has a secret stash of fashion gems and she's determined to "find it and raid it"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Former All Black Tony Brown has confirmed he intends to honour his contract as an assistant with South Africa, rather than make himself available for inclusion in any New Zealand coaching group More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    It's thought a shift in how young people invest - is altering the housing market More...



     Today's News

    Politics:
    Prime Minister Chris Luxon says the weather events of the past 48 hours have been a profound tragedy 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Valentino has died at the age of 93 21:40

    Accident and Emergency:
    Two bodies have been found at a house on Papamoa's Welcome Bay Road - after a large landslide caused extensive damage early this morning 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Lily Allen is "happy to be alive" after a lorry ran her new Porsche "off the road" 21:10

    Auckland:
    What we know about the landslide at Mount Maunganui in New Zealand 21:07

    Environment:
    Young girl among missing campers at New Zealand's Mount Maunganui after landslide — as it happened 20:47

    Entertainment:
    Valerie Bertinelli claims she was "fired" as a spokesperson for a diet company because she gained weight 20:40

    Entertainment:
    Stellan Skarsgard has branded Donald Trump a "little man who got megalomania" 20:10

    Entertainment:
    Chris Pratt has admitted he won't keep the giant painting of his father-in-law Arnold Schwarzenegger on the wall all year round 19:40

    Entertainment:
    Drew Starkey has been appointed brand ambassador for Dior 19:10


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd