Just one day after Taylor Swift officially announced that she has finally regained ownership of her original master recordings, a battle she’s been publicly fighting since 2019, the pop superstar stepped out for a celebratory night on the town with her closest confidante, Selena Gomez. The duo was spotted at Manhattan’s chic and intimate Monkey Bar on the evening of May 31, enjoying what appeared to be a private, laughter-filled dinner with no entourage, no significant others, just the two megastars, catching up and soaking in the moment.
And while Swift’s boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, and Gomez’s fiancé, producer Benny Blanco, were noticeably absent from the outing, fans were delighted to see that the heart of this friendship is still very much beating strong—independent of romance, headlines, or chart positions. According to exclusive photos obtained by PEOPLE, Swift, 35, was radiant in a sleek black cocktail dress paired with gold accessories, her signature red lip fully intact. Meanwhile, Gomez, 32, opted for an earthy, layered ensemble—rocking an oversized chocolate brown coat over a monochrome outfit that screamed “elevated casual” in the most Selena way possible.
The two stars looked completely at ease in each other’s company, laughing, leaning in during conversation, and occasionally glancing over their shoulders to dodge the flashbulbs of curious onlookers and paparazzi outside. The chemistry between them was palpable, not of performers, but of real, long-time friends who’ve grown up side-by-side in a world that very few people can understand. The Gomez-Swift friendship dates back to 2008, when both young women were still teenagers and happened to be dating two-thirds of the Jonas Brothers. (Swift was with Joe Jonas, and Gomez was linked to Nick Jonas.) But what could have been a fleeting industry connection turned into a full-fledged sisterhood.
Over the years, the duo has celebrated birthdays, cheered each other on at award shows, appeared in each other’s social media tributes, and defended one another in the press. Gomez once famously said in an interview, “Taylor has been my friend for the longest time. We don't agree on everything, but she's the first person I go to when I need advice, especially when it comes to protecting my heart.”
That protective bond was on full display last night.
Though their dinner appeared to be a personal catch-up, the timing of the evening couldn’t have been more symbolic. Just 24 hours before, Swift stunned the music world by confirming that she now owns the master rights to her first six albums. Her Instagram announcement featured a striking set of photos: the singer sitting cross-legged on a studio floor surrounded by vinyl copies of her early albums—Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation—now all officially hers.
“You belong with me.
” she captioned the post, referencing her 2008 smash hit from Fearless, while also nodding to the colorful eras that shaped her rise to superstardom. The news sent shockwaves through the music industry and fan communities alike. Swift's decision to re-record her catalog after her masters were sold to Scooter Braun in 2019 became a defining act of artistic rebellion and empowerment. Now, with the final piece in place, she has full creative and financial control over her early work—a rarity in the industry.Gomez, as always, was quick to show her support. The Only Murders in the Building star reposted Swift’s announcement to her Instagram Stories with the caption: “Yes you did that Tay. So proud!” While both Swift and Gomez are currently in high-profile relationships—Swift with Travis Kelce and Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco—the evening was intentionally romantic-partner-free. And perhaps that’s the point. The two women, who’ve often leaned on one another during personal hardships and public scrutiny, seemed to be reminding the world (and maybe themselves) that their most enduring love story is their friendship.
During a recent appearance on Spotify’s Countdown To, Gomez and Blanco recounted attending an exclusive after-party hosted by Swift—long before they made their relationship public. It was one of many examples of how Swift’s inner circle, especially Gomez, has become a grounding force in her whirlwind life. Their dinner date was more than just two pop stars sharing a meal, it was a celebration of resilience, legacy, and the kind of female friendship that Hollywood often struggles to portray as real.
As fans continue to pore over the photos, trade outfit details, and speculate on whether new music (or a new collaboration?) could be in the works, one thing is clear: these two women are still showing up for each other—through breakups, career highs and lows, and industry shakeups. And maybe that’s the real love story after all.
