Taylor Swift was reportedly drawn to her new boyfriend's "prowess as a surfer".
The pop singer made headlines recently when she was linked to blond surfer John John Florence, nicknamed JJ. The 23-year-old chart topper is said to have met the Hawaiian star in November last year, with whispers about their relationship building since then.
"Taylor seems extremely keen on JJ," an insider shared with British magazine Grazia.
"He's quite different to anyone she's dated in the past, and while he's in the spotlight, it's his prowess as a surfer that she admires."
The 20-year-old hunk was recently quizzed about their budding romance at a sporting event in Queensland, Australia.
JJ confessed he was acquainted with Taylor and hinted there were aspects of their relationship they were trying to keep hidden.
"Yeah, you know, it's kind of a secret thing going on right now. Can't bust it out in the public just yet," JJ said.
Taylor reportedly started considering JJ as a potential flame as soon as they were introduced.
The timing of their first meeting coincided with her well-publicised fling with One Direction star Harry Styles.
Following her split with the 19-year-old boyband star earlier this year, Taylor is thought to have sought out JJ again, with a romance in mind this time.
"Taylor really hit it off with JJ when she was in Oz," an insider explained.
"She thought he was great fun, but it was around the same time she reignited her romance with Harry Styles, so she put it on a back-burner. Taylor got in touch with JJ when she split with Harry, and they went on a date when he was in America. Taylor and JJ both travel a lot for work but have planned a second date this month."