Jake Gyllenhaal hits out at ‘cyberbullying’ as he addresses Taylor Swift re-release

Jake Gyllenhaal has addressed Taylor Swift’s re-released song All Too Well, which is widely interpreted to be about their brief relationship, saying it “has nothing to do with me”.

In a new interview, the Hollywood actor said he did not “begrudge” Swift using personal experiences as inspiration for her music, but said that artists “have a responsibility” to encourage fans to “be civil and not allow for cyberbullying in one’s name”.

Gyllenhaal, best known for films including Brokeback Mountain, Nightcrawler and Donnie Darko, reportedly dated Swift for about three months in 2010.

All Too Well and the number one hit We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, from the singer’s 2012 album Red, were reportedly about the relationship – and a new 10 minute-version of All Too Well featured on Swift’s re-recorded album Red (Taylor’s version), released in November 2021.

The re-release of the track and accompanying music video led to Gyllenhaal receiving a backlash online.

Speaking to Esquire Magazine about the new version of the song, he said: “It has nothing to do with me. It’s about her relationship with her fans.

“It is her expression. Artists tap into personal experiences for inspiration, and I don’t begrudge anyone that.”

However, the star added: “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.”

According to Esquire, Gyllenhaal turned his Instagram comments off when the song was re-released and said he had not listened to the album.

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Red (Taylor’s Version) was part of Swift’s campaign to regain ownership of her music.

The singer is remaking her first six albums after the master recordings were acquired by talent manager Scooter Braun when he purchased her former label, much to her fury, and later again by Shamrock Capital.

In 2018, Swift signed with Universal Music in a deal said to give her control of her master recordings, and has since released the albums Lover, Folklore and Evermore.

Gyllenhaal is due to star in upcoming blockbuster Ambulance, alongside Eiza Gonzalez and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, which is due for release later this year.