Ed Sheeran confirms Taylor Swift's story about his phone-free engagement discovery

UPDATE — October 7, 2025, 8 p.m. ET: Ed Sheeran responded to Taylor Swift’s clarification regarding how he discovered her engagement through online channels.

While appearing on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday, October 6, Swift, the celebrated singer, clarified the circumstances surrounding why Sheeran was not personally informed of her and Travis Kelce’s engagement prior to their widely shared social media announcement.

“I possess a complete justification … he lacks a mobile device,” Swift stated, pointing out that Sheeran does not possess a functional cellphone and their communication does not involve text messages. “I review my messages, thinking, ‘Who have I messaged in the past month?’ And his contact simply wasn’t present.”

Swift elaborated that to reach Sheeran, she must send an email to organize a video conversation — due to Sheeran’s lack of a personal cellphone.

“One must email him. To initiate a FaceTime call, he needs to locate an iPad. It must be provided to him as one would give a tablet to a child,” she joked. “He is truly one of my most cherished individuals globally. Upon the announcement, my thought was, ‘We neglected to inform Ed! Oh dear!’ He is like kin to me. I adore him. However, he does not own a phone.”

Following the widespread circulation of Swift’s clarification, Sheeran posted a comment on the video via TikTok, stating, “Greetings from my designated iPad usage period, this information is correct.”

Initial report:

Ed Sheeran is staying informed about all the recent developments in the life of his friend Taylor Swift, much like our publication, Us.

While speaking with Andy Cohen ahead of his SiriusXM’s Small Stage Series performance in New York City on Wednesday, September 24, Sheeran, age 34, disclosed that he had not received an advance listening of Swift’s forthcoming album, The Life of a Showgirl. Upon inquiry about how he learned of Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce, Sheeran offered a concise response.

“Instagram,” Sheeran responded, eliciting considerable astonishment from Cohen.

“You weren’t even sent a direct message beforehand?” Cohen, age 57, questioned, to which Sheeran affirmed, “Negative.”

Sheeran further mentioned that he has not yet gotten a formal invitation to mark the date for the couple’s nuptials.

Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran's Most Memorable Friendship Instances Throughout the Years

Swift, age 35, publicly confirmed her 12th album during a guest spot on Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast in August. Several weeks following, the pair caused an online sensation by revealing their engagement after a two-year relationship.

“Your English teacher and your gym teacher are tying the knot,” stated the description accompanying a collaborative Instagram post on August 26.

Even though formal wedding announcements might not have been dispatched, an insider revealed exclusively to Us Weekly this month that Swift and Kelce, age 35, are “at the initial stages of organizing” their momentous occasion.

“No specific venue or site has been decided upon as of now,” the source further stated, mentioning that the ceremony is “expected to take place early in the coming year.”

A Look into Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Path Following Their Engagement

As per the source, Swift is “thoroughly enjoying exploring potential locations and settings” during the “conceptualization phase” of their wedding arrangements. The couple also wishes for their festivities to be “more personal.”

“They prefer not to have an extravagant, grandiose wedding with a massive guest list. It will be a private affair with close friends and relatives, avoiding a multitude of celebrities or unfamiliar faces,” the source informed Us, characterizing Swift and Kelce as “grounded and ordinary” despite their celebrity status. “It will be significant, and they will be encircled by individuals who hold importance to them.”

Many musical peers are part of Swift’s close confidantes, notably Sheeran, with whom she initially collaborated on the track “Everything Has Changed” from her 2012 record, Red. The powerful pair boasts numerous joint projects, and in summer 2024, Sheeran shared the stage with Swift at Wembley Stadium in London during The Eras Tour.

The Discussion of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Engagement on 'New Heights'

Sheeran recently provided uncommon details about his bond with Swift during an appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, disclosing in April that the duo generally meets “four times annually.”

When their paths intersect, Sheeran mentioned that he and Swift engage in “thorough, six-hour conversations to catch up,” further stating, “I believe that is a truly pleasant method of interaction.”

Sheeran also reflected on the period when he served as an opening act for Swift on the Red Tour and the time they shared in Nashville. “We would travel to and from concerts together and engage in all manner of activities,” he remembered. “I genuinely spent nearly every day with her for approximately half a year.”