Matty Healy: A Brief Biography
Matthew Timothy Healy, widely recognized as Matty Healy, is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer hailing from England. He rose to prominence as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the popular pop-rock band, "The 1975". Alongside his schoolmates, Ross MacDonald, Adam Hann, and George Daniel, Healy co-founded the 1975 back in 2002. With their incredible achievements, the band has released five studio albums, all of which have soared to the top of the UK Albums Chart and garnered extensive critical acclaim. Renowned for his exceptional prowess in songwriting and captivating stage presence, Healy's artistic contributions to the band have garnered him numerous accolades, including four Brit Awards and two Ivor Novello Awards, including the esteemed title of Songwriter of the Year. In 2022, Matty collaborated with Rob Milton on the composition "Sleep Tight," which was released by Holly Humberstone in April. He also wrote two tracks, "Pictures of Us" and "You're Here That's the Thing," for Beabadoobee's album Beatopia in July. Additionally, Healy co-wrote an unreleased song with Lewis Capaldi for his album Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent and worked with Taylor Swift on an unreleased version of her album Midnights. In 2023, he served as a co-producer and featured artist on The Japanese House's single "Sunshine Baby."
Early Life
Born on April 8, 1989, in Hendon, London, England, Matty Healy, whose real name is Matthew Timothy Healy, is also known by the name Truman Black. He holds British nationality and belongs to a British-white ethnic background. Healy follows the Christian religion, and his race is categorized as white. Presently, he is 34 years old and falls under the zodiac sign of Aries. Healy, the son of actor Tim Healy and actress Denise Welch, comes from a family that experienced a divorce in 2012. He has a younger brother named Louis, who is also involved in the acting profession. In his early life, Healy resided on a cow farm situated in Hedley on the Hill, Northumberland. However, when he reached the age of nine, his family relocated to Alderley Edge in Cheshire.
In terms of his education, Healy initially attended Lady Barn House School and later transferred to King's School in Macclesfield. However, he was eventually expelled from King's School following a fight. At the age of 12, he displayed his musical abilities by winning a talent contest at King's School, performing songs by The La's and Oasis. He expressed his aspirations of becoming a pop singer in an interview with a local newspaper. He later joined Wilmslow High School, where he formed friendships with his future bandmates. Healy considered school to be a mundane obstacle to his pop star dreams. As a result, he left school at sixteen with just two GCSEs and pursued vocal studies at the Academy of Contemporary Music.
What did Watty Healy do?
- Matty Healy took the lead in 2002, at the young age of 13, in forming "The 1975" together with Adam Hann, Ross MacDonald, and George Daniel, all of whom he had met during their time at Wilmslow High School. Starting as the drummer, Healy later became the frontman after Elliott Williams left, with Healy and Daniel taking on the role of primary songwriters. The band's first-ever performance took place at the MYD (Macclesfield Youth Bands) event, where they showcased their talent in a modest community hall with limited equipment.
- Following his graduation, Healy adeptly convinced his bandmates to pursue further education in Manchester, since his lack of GCSEs left him with limited alternatives. Demonstrating unwavering support for Healy's musical aspirations, his father went the extra mile by providing crucial resources such as a van and a dedicated rehearsal space.
- The band underwent multiple name changes and faced rejections from prominent record labels, who were bewildered by their innovative blend of genres. Healy particularly acknowledges the vital role played by their manager, Jamie Oborne, considering him an integral part of their collective journey.
- After managing the band for a remarkable seven years, Jamie Oborne went on to establish his own independent label, Dirty Hit. "The 1975" swiftly released a series of four consecutive extended plays: "Facedown" and "Sex" in 2012, followed by "Music for Cars" and "IV" in 2013. Their radio hits "Sex" and "Chocolate" gained traction towards the end of 2012, setting the stage for their debut album, "The 1975," which was released in 2013.
- Inspired by John Hughes, the album aimed to capture the essence of their teenage years and received praise from critics such as Michael Hann of The Guardian. It quickly climbed to the top of the UK Album Chart, paving the way for significant achievements such as sold-out shows at London's Brixton Academy, supporting The Rolling Stones at Hyde Park, and performing on the prestigious Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival.
- In 2016, "The 1975" released their second album, "I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It." The album was acclaimed for its clever self-awareness and lyrical wit, with Matty Healy's ability to infuse prosaic details that dismantled any sense of pretentiousness, as noted by Alexis Petridis of The Guardian. It achieved remarkable success, reaching the top spot on both the UK and US charts and receiving a nomination for the prestigious Mercury Prize.
- They followed it up with three more chart-topping albums: "A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships" in 2018, "Notes on a Conditional Form" in 2020, and "Being Funny in a Foreign Language" in 2022. Their live performances received widespread acclaim, with Rolling Stone's Nick Reily describing their At Their Very Best tour as a blend of performance art and a rock show, enhanced by their exceptional pop songs.
- Within the music industry, Healy and George Daniel of "The 1975" collaborated as co-producers for No Rome's EP titled "RIP Indo Hisashi," released in August 2018. In March 2021, Healy and Daniel took on production duties for Beabadoobee's solo EP titled "Our Extended Play." Healy also showcased his talents as a performer, opening for Phoebe Bridgers during her Reunion Tour at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles in October 2021, where he introduced two new songs, including one named "New York."
- In April 2022, Healy co-wrote "Sleep Tight" with Rob Milton, a composition later released by Holly Humberstone. Furthermore, Healy's songwriting prowess was evident with the inclusion of two tracks, "Pictures of Us" and "You're Here That's the Thing," on Beabadoobee's album "Beatopia" in July 2022. Looking ahead to 2023, Healy featured on The Japanese House's single titled "Sunshine Baby," further solidifying his versatile musical contributions.
- Furthermore, in January 2023, a video of Healy performing the band's popular song "Love It If We Made It" gained viral attention. During the performance, Healy sang the lyric "Thank you, Kanye, very cool," which directly quoted a tweet from Donald Trump. As he sang, Healy marched in place and raised his left hand, sparking an online debate about whether the gesture was intended as a Nazi salute. The incident attracted significant attention and generated discussions about its implications.
- In November 2022, he publicly criticized Kanye West for making antisemitic remarks, stating that such behavior could not be excused by grief or mental health issues. Additionally, in February 2023, he made an appearance on "The Adam Friedland Show", a podcast known for its leftist irony.
Awards and Achievements
- BBC Music Awards
- Brit Awards
- GQ Men of the Year Awards
- Ivor Novello Awards
- Knight of Illumination Awards
- mtvU Woodie Awards
- NME Awards
- Q Awards
Is Taylor Swift dating Matty Healy?
Matty Healy, an unmarried man, recently began dating American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift in 2023. Despite rumors and a flirtatious connection since 2014, Healy initially denied their relationship, feeling that being labeled as Swift's boyfriend would be emasculating. However, he later clarified that his remarks were taken out of context, and they remained friends. In 2022, they collaborated on music together alongside their mutual producer Jack Antonoff. Swift performed at The 1975's London show in January 2023, and Healy made on-stage appearances during Phoebe Bridgers's set at Swift's Eras Tour in May 2023. Currently, the couple is happily enjoying their relationship, with Healy residing in northwest London and owning a cane corso dog named after the band Mayhem.
Prior to his relationship with Taylor Swift, Matty Healy had been involved in various romantic partnerships. He had a long-term relationship with model Gemma Janes that lasted until 2014. Following that, he dated Gabriella Brooks from 2015 until August 2019. From early 2020 to 2022, Healy was in a relationship with English singer FKA Twigs, who contributed background vocals to The 1975's song "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)." Their connection served as inspiration for Healy's song "I'm in Love with You." Additionally, Healy briefly dated model Meredith Mickelson before their separation in February 2023.
Matty Healy's openness and discussions surrounding his sexuality have attracted significant media attention. In 2018, he chose not to define his sexuality and criticized the tendency to focus on musicians' sexual identities. In 2019, he described himself as outspoken and unsure about his sexual identity, acknowledging the possibility of bisexuality. Healy emphasized that his understanding of his sexuality is subject to change and expressed discomfort with a headline that misinterpreted his words. He has expressed attraction to men but not exclusively in a sexual sense, highlighting his feminine qualities and lack of interest in traditional masculinity.
Matty Healy's Net Worth
Matty Healy, a highly accomplished singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer, has amassed substantial success and wealth throughout his career. As of 2023, his estimated net worth stands at $20 million. He primarily generates his income from the music industry, with an annual salary exceeding $2 million. Healy has solidified his position as a prominent figure in the music world, renowned for his exceptional singing and songwriting abilities. His journey began when he co-founded the band "The 1975" alongside Ross MacDonald, Adam Hann, and George Daniel during their time at Wilmslow High School. Together, they have released multiple albums and captivated audiences at various venues, experiencing remarkable growth and accomplishments in their musical endeavors. Healy's collaborations with esteemed music labels and notable artists have propelled his visibility and acclaim within the music industry. His involvement in various albums and singles has been met with great success, frequently attaining top positions on music charts. In addition, his major source of income is his singing career.
How tall is Matty Healy?
Matty Healy possesses a captivating charm and an appealing personality. He boasts a slender physique, standing at an impressive height of 5 ft 9 in or 175 cm and weighing approximately 70 kg or 154.5 lbs. Notably, his notable features include his luscious, curly long hair, which contributes to his distinct and individualistic look. In a 2014 interview, Matthew disclosed his fitness approach while on tour, mentioning engaging in physical exercises like press-ups, sit-ups, and occasional jogging aboard the tour bus. Although he doesn't adhere to a specific fitness regimen, he incorporates activities such as treadmill running when he notices any weight fluctuations. Given the demanding nature of touring, he finds it challenging to dedicate regular gym sessions but compensates by maintaining an active lifestyle through his on-the-go exercise routines.
Healy has confronted significant hurdles in his life, particularly with addiction. He grappled with a severe heroin addiction, which was first discovered by the band's drummer, George Daniel. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Healy took the courageous step of seeking assistance and underwent a seven-week rehabilitation program in Barbados. His journey toward recovery encompassed not only heroin addiction but also struggles with cocaine and benzodiazepine abuse. In late 2017, he engaged in seven weeks of cognitive-behavioral therapy and equine-assisted therapy, with the compassionate support of his bandmates. While making progress, it is worth noting that as of 2022, Healy still engages in marijuana use. Apart from his battles with substance abuse, Healy encounters other mental health challenges, including diagnoses of ADHD and anxiety, as well as the experience of chronic migraines. In a 2022 interview, Healy candidly discussed his involvement in therapy and shared the profound difficulty he has faced in processing the trauma from "some early sexual experiences" as he has matured.