Taylor Swift‘s fan base has at all times been rabid, and every day, it solely will get larger. Once you’re constantly the one particular person within the room who doesn’t get the hype, it may be a terrifying prospect to confess you don’t like Taylor Swift. Because the years have passed by, Swifties have change into greater than a devoted fandom; they’ve change into—dare I say—a modern-day cult. And what do cult members do whenever you disagree with their charismatic chief? They blast your inbox with hate mail (not less than in my expertise).
Though I’m the final particular person to get excited in regards to the newest factor Taylor Swift is as much as, I gotta hand it to her—she’s intelligent. Even for those who’re not a fan of Ms. Swift, you’ve positively heard all her songs. You may’t go a day with out scrolling by means of your feed and seeing an obsessive replace about her budding relationship with Travis Kelce. I wager you’ve additionally needed to watch a number of of your pretentious music snob pals convert to Swifties through the years, making you surprise in the event that they’ve began placing one thing in our faucet water or in case you are truly an alien from a unique planet.
As somebody who has at all times most well-liked to find music by myself and type my very own opinion free from mainstream pressures, I’m the final particular person to hop on a bandwagon. Nonetheless, the way in which Taylor Swift has taken over the world makes it more and more onerous to be one of many final non-Swifties nonetheless standing. Actually, not liking her music instantly makes folks suspicious of you. And now, I’ve no alternative however to come back clear: I don’t get the hype surrounding Taylor Swift.
Again within the day, not being a fan of the newest music sensation didn’t imply you have been a foul particular person. However on this planet of Eras Tour mania and live performance tickets that value upwards of $1,000, saying the phrases “I don’t like Taylor Swift,” means setting your self up for judgment. To a a lot lesser extent, it jogs my memory of the worry communists should have felt throughout Joseph McCarthy’s Purple Scare; a time when admitting your left-leaning political beliefs may value you your job and popularity. And whereas harboring anti-Taylor sentiments gained’t essentially put you on a authorities hit record or get you fired, it would instantly make everybody suppose you’re an asshole. Or on the very least, that you simply’re not a supporter of ladies.
Actually, Taylor Swift and her PR group have executed a incredible job of utilizing “feminism” to defend the Status singer from criticism of every kind. They’ve been disturbingly profitable at equating not being a fan of Taylor Swift to not being a feminist. Throughout an episode of her podcast Excessive Low With EmRata, actress and newly transformed Swiftie Emily Ratajkowski stated it herself: “I used to be not a Swiftie, and now I’m like, you understand what meaning? Meaning I used to be a misogynist that I didn’t f–ok with Taylor Swift.” She continues to unintentionally name consideration to this PsyOp, stating: “This particular person is an unbelievable songwriter, an unbelievable performer, and anyone who says the rest? Like, they’ve points… When you don’t like Taylor Swift, then, like, you don’t perceive issues.”
Listening to this despatched shivers down my backbone, as a result of I’ve at all times thought-about myself to be a feminist. I grew up listening to the Spice Women and screaming “Lady energy!” at anybody I stumbled throughout. And now, as a result of Taylor’s music does nothing for me, I need to not be a feminist? I counter that egregious assertion with the truth that it’s not very feminist to anticipate all ladies to have the identical style in music. Is feminism a cult or is it about female individuality? I’ve at all times thought it was the latter.
That wasn’t the one time I’ve seen feminist beliefs be used to guard Taylor Swift’s model from even essentially the most harmless type of questioning. Let’s harken again to the 2013 Golden Globes, when hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler sprinkled their set with jabs geared toward numerous celebrities in attendance, corresponding to Lena Dunham, Anne Hathaway, James Cameron, Ben Affleck, and Robert Pattinson. Then, they made the cardinal sin of cracking a joke in regards to the untouchable Taylor Swift. Referencing her lengthy string of extremely publicized and short-lived relationships, they stated she ought to “steer clear of Michael J. Fox’s son.” In response to this wisecrack, Taylor Swift informed Vainness Truthful: “There’s a particular place in hell for ladies who don’t assist different ladies,” which prompted Amy Poehler to apologize for her half in telling the joke.
I don’t find out about you, however I don’t suppose feminism exempts anybody from being made enjoyable of, particularly for those who’re one of the profitable stars the music business has ever seen. And if the Swiftie fandom can’t deal with an harmless joke, then that makes me really feel even much less excited to hitch the ranks.
The reality is, my apathy towards Taylor Swift has nothing to do together with her as an individual. I’m truly fairly impressed with the empire she’s constructed, and if I ever had the prospect to satisfy her, I’ve a robust feeling I would really like her. To be frank, the model she’s cultivated is downright genius and I do respect her for writing her personal songs. Nonetheless, her music does nothing for me, personally. Listening to a few of her songs feels equal to studying a middle-grade chapter e-book for women who like horses. There’s simply no “edge” for me, as I really feel like I’m being served a wonderfully inoffensive product with no imperfections or controversy to ask me in.
I hold being informed that I would like to simply purchase a film ticket and watch Taylor Swift: The Period’s Tour as a result of seeing her unbelievable efficiency will immediately convert me to a Swiftie. And to that, I say: An excessive amount of work. I don’t often spend cash on music earlier than I’m certain if I even just like the music. And if Taylor Swift’s fandom positively isn’t a cult, why is there a lot strain to hitch it? Why do I have to be transformed? Why are you Swifties proselytizing me? It’s not private—I simply don’t suppose I’d make an excellent cult member. However that doesn’t imply I’m not glad you’re all having enjoyable!
