The day was July 4th, 2016. The place? A fancy beach in Rhode Island, where Tom Hiddleston—newly minted member of Taylor Swift's squad—felt the need to frolic in the water wearing an "I Heart T.S." tank top. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the most WTF of times. And now, Tom is *finally* explaining himself.
Tom Hiddleston really ❤️'s Taylor Swift https://t.co/x6wkTjLIrB pic.twitter.com/PzQ6S3RBVVJuly 4, 2016
"The truth is, it was the Fourth of July and a public holiday and we were playing a game and I slipped and hurt my back," Hiddleston recently told GQ. "And I wanted to protect the graze from the sun and said, 'Does anyone have a T-shirt?' And one of her friends said, 'I've got this.' And we all laughed about it. It was a joke."
He wanted to PROTECT HIS GRAZE, mmmkay?! So, what are Hiddleston's feelings on Taylor now that they're broken up?
"Taylor is an amazing woman," he says. "She's generous and kind and lovely, and we had the best time. Of course it was real."
"I don't know," he continues. "I just, I was surprised. I was just surprised that it got so much attention. The tank top became an emblem of this thing. I only know the woman I met. She's incredible. A relationship in the limelight...A relationship always takes work. A relationship in the limelight takes work. And it's not just the limelight. It's everything else. So we decided to go out for dinner, we decided to travel."
This explains so much.
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
-
Your Hairstylist's Favorite Hair Brand Just Landed at SephoraThe if-you-know-you-know cult classic is going mainstream.
-
I Need All of My Lip Products to Come With a Donut Applicator From Now OnI put four viral tinted serums to the test.
-
Princess Margaret's "Ill-Mannered" Comments to Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mother Often Had "Courtiers Shaking Their Heads"The late royal was known for her one-liners.
-
Travis Kelce Felt "Helpless" When Taylor Swift Was Booed at the Super Bowl: "It Broke His Heart"The NFL tight end "always protects" the singer.
-
Taylor Swift Didn't Join Travis Kelce on the Field After Kansas City's Disappointing Loss at the 2025 Super BowlBut that doesn't mean she isn't supporting him.
-
All the Celebrities in Taylor Swift's Box at Super Bowl 2025It's quite a guest list.
-
Taylor Swift's Stress Is Palpable in Pics from the First Half of Super Bowl 2025She's *this close* to becoming a meme.
-
Taylor Swift "Doesn't Want to Be the Center of Attention" During Travis Kelce's Super Bowl Moment"He loves that she is super supportive, and he is the same with her, as they got each other's back whatever happens."
-
So—Is Taylor Swift Going to the 2025 Super Bowl?It's hard to imagine Swift missing it, especially as Travis Kelce hovers on the cusp of making history.
-
Travis Kelce's Five-Word Response to Taylor Swift Proposal Question Has Fans BuzzingLet the betting begin.
-
Taylor Swift Didn't Announce 'Reputation (Taylor's Version)' at the 2025 Grammys, But Here's When She MightAre you ready for it?
