Taylor Swift was on rockin' form when she performed onstage at Times Square's star-studded New Year's Eve concert on Monday evening. But despite her blistering performance, it was a midnight kiss with new beau Harry Styles that captured the imagination of the crowd.
The couple's intimate moment was snapped by a reveller and promptly shared on a Twitter account affiliated with Harry, suggesting that fans will be seeing a lot more of the loved-up young singers in the months to come. It was a romantic end to a year that has brought nothing but success for both Harry and Taylor. Earlier in December, the blonde country singer was celebrating an impressive list of Grammy nominations – including a nod for her anthemic hit We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, and multi-million selling album Red. Harry, meanwhile, has been busy securing world domination with his group One Direction, who in October soared into an under-30s British rich list with a combined worth of £26.33 million.
The highlight of 2012, however, was no doubt meeting each other. The pair were first linked after they were spotted looking friendly on the US X Factor. Host Mario Lopez started rumours they were an item when he said he saw the singers "walking hand-in-hand" backstage in November. The TV presenter – who shares hosting duties with Khloe Kardashian - told listeners of his 104.3 MY FM radio show: "Taylor Swift was the special guest performer, and [here's] a little inside scoop for you. 'During rehearsals, Harry from One Direction came and slapped me on the back, and said, "Hey, Mario, how ya doing?" And I said, "What are you doing here?" And he sort of [pointed] toward Taylor… So Taylor Swift and Harry from One Direction - you heard it here first. [They're] officially hanging out, I can say that much."
Shortly after, the pair were seen strolling through the Big Apple together, and though there were no big displays of affection on that occasion, their adoring glances made it clear that confirmation of pop music's hottest new couple couldn't be far away. The festive period certainly provided that confirmation and their New Year's Eve clinch means that this relationship is headed in One Direction - to a fully fledged romance.