Taylor Swift's photo with Sophie Turner sparked speculation about it being a strategic PR move — here's why the drama has taken over the internet

• Taylor Swift and Sophie Turner were pictured together in New York on Tuesday.
• The photo blew up online, creating speculation that the celebrities were taking a jab at Joe Jonas.

Taylor Swift was photographed having dinner with Sophie Turner in New York on Tuesday, sparking a huge storm across social media.

The photo came just weeks after Turner announced her divorce from Joe Jonas, who Swift briefly dated in 2008 and went on to write at least one song about. It was widely shared across social media, with theories quickly emerging about what it meant.

Some people questioned why the image caused such a stir online, given that Swift and Jonas ended their relationship so long ago, but some fans interpreted it as a shrewd PR move on Swift's part, assuming it was a planned photo op intended to take a side in the divorce, which many believe is somewhat contentious.

Swift's history of avoiding paparazzi led some to assume this photo was a choice

Swift has successfully avoided the paparazzi for long stretches of time in the past, most famously following huge backlash when Kim Kardashian released a recording of Swift appearing to approve of a lyric from a Kanye West song that referenced her after she called him out for including it. Swift deleted all social media and was barely photographed for almost a year leading up to the release of her 2017 album "Reputation."

Swift referenced this period in her Netflix documentary "Miss Americana," implying it was an intentional choice. "I just wanted to disappear. Nobody physically saw me for a year. And that's what I thought they wanted." she said.

There have been other instances of Swift avoiding the paparazzi as well, including clips of her walking backward or sideways so her face isn't visible to cameras. During her six-year relationship with actor Joe Alwyn, candid photos of the pair were extremely rare, further convincing people she is skilled at maintaining a low profile when she wants to. Over the years, some even theorized that she was being transported around in giant suitcases.

People assumed she was signaling support for Turner

Turner and Jonas, who got married in 2019, announced in September on social media that they "mutually decided" to divorce.

Around that time, fans speculated that a "smear campaign" was being organized against Turner, as some initial news reports appeared to suggest her actions were responsible for the separation. TMZ reported that a source with "direct knowledge" told them the pair were splitting because Turner "likes to party" and Jonas likes to "stay at home." Fans were skeptical of the claim because Turner had previously described herself as a "homebody."

When the photo emerged, many fans suggested that it brought public embarrassment to Jonas, and was intended to signal support for Turner as she and Swift seem to have developed a bond of friendship over time, appearing together in 2019 on "The Graham Norton Show," and publicly expressing support for one another's work on multiple occasions since then, Insider previously reported.

Swift and Jonas' former relationship has long been the cause of public controversy due to fan speculation about a bitter end to their romance. Swift said in a 2008 interview on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" that Jonas broke up with her over the phone in a 25-second phone call, and that one of the songs on her album "Fearless," was about him.

Fans believe that Swift released a number of other break-up songs about Jonas over the years, although she hasn't publicly stated who they were written about.

But Swift appeared to be on better terms with Jonas by 2019 when she said in another segment on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" that putting Jonas "on blast" previously on the show was "too much," adding that they laugh about it now.

Despite appearing to have developed a more amicable relationship with Jonas over the years, Swift's public display of support for Turner has caused fans to comment once again on past controversies between Swift and Jonas, turning the photo into a meme and referencing lyrics from her songs.

The vast majority seem to find the now-viral photo positive and empowering. If it was all a PR stunt, it seems it went to plan.

Representatives for Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner, and Taylor Swift did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

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