Taylor Swift’s team denied rumors about her sexual orientation, potentially alienating her LGBTQ supporters.

I

In every aspect, Taylor Swift stands out from the norm. Recently, her Eras Tour movie surpassed Michael Jackson’s 2009 film This Is It as the highest-grossing concert film in box office history. She was the sole artist to appear on the UK’s Top 10 albums of 2023 with a new album, rather than an older one (although it was a re-recording of her popular 2014 album 1989). Last year, she made history as the first woman to have four albums simultaneously in the US Top 10, took the title of most US No.1 albums by a woman from Barbra Streisand, and her Eras tour became the first ever to generate over $1 billion. In October, Swift was estimated to have reached billionaire status. In November, a US publication hired a dedicated reporter solely for covering Swift – although it’s a common joke that everyone in entertainment media already does this job, given the immense level of her success.

Aside from her music career, Taylor Swift, who is 34 years old, stands out for her unique approach to interacting with her fans and the public. In an era where many popular musicians allow themselves to be scrutinized and speculated upon, Swift maintains a high level of control over her image. She understands the importance of satisfying unexpected fan preferences and exploring new commercial avenues, as seen through the mysterious persona of Harry Styles and Beyoncé’s no-apologies PR strategy. Unlike other artists, Swift rarely gives interviews, instead relying on strategic clues to engage her fans and make them feel like active participants in her work. This approach allows her to maintain a sense of privacy while remaining in the spotlight on her own terms. It is a clever strategy for someone who is constantly in the public eye and strives to balance fame with personal boundaries.

At times, however, the star’s grip on her story can be felt when people draw conclusions that she may not agree with. Recently, the New York Times published a lengthy article speculating that Swift may be gay based on her lyrics and fashion choices. The article also suggested that she has a responsibility to come out for the sake of her queer fans and less privileged musicians. While this may not be new information for die-hard Swift fans who believe she has dated women in the past, it’s one thing for fans to playfully analyze lyrics and dates online, and another for a major publication to write an article that prescribes and even chastises her for not coming out. This seems to trivialize and manipulate sexuality into a set of rules. As a previous New York Times article stated, “You can’t create a world where everyone feels comfortable identifying themselves by forcing them to do so.”

Unexpectedly, the typically unseen members of Swift’s team responded to a report from CNN by stating, “Due to her immense accomplishments, there is currently a void in people’s morals when it comes to Taylor.” They went on to say that an article like this would not have been written about Shawn Mendes or any male artist whose sexuality has been scrutinized by fans. It appears that certain journalists have no limits when it comes to writing about Taylor, regardless of the invasive, false, and inappropriate nature of their words, all while hiding behind the guise of an “opinion piece.”

The reaction was nearly as excessive and misguided as the initial article. Male artists such as Shawn Mendes and Harry Styles have faced intense speculation about their sexualities: the same NYT writer previously wrote a similar article about Styles, and Mendes has expressed the pressure of constantly being talked about in terms of his identity. (He stated, “I thought, ‘You lucky guys, I’m not actually gay and afraid to come out.’ That’s something that can be deadly.”) It is highly unlikely that Swift, who pays close attention to detail, unintentionally included the numerous references listed: if you give someone an opportunity, don’t be surprised when they take it. Responding with such a harsh critique of an exaggerated essay may also serve as a rebuke to fans who have found personal connection or comfort – or simply harmless entertainment – in imagining that Swift’s sensually charged Reputation song Dress is about her former close friend, model Karlie Kloss (“I don’t want you like a best friend”!), rather than its more probable subject, her then-boyfriend Joe Alwyn.

Pop stardom is increasingly dependent on the collective imagination. Taylor Swift stands out as one of the few remaining monocultural stars – recognized by not only her own generation, but also by older generations. Her actions make headlines and spark discussions beyond just a niche audience, and even lead to harmless jokes at award shows. Despite this, the monoculture is made up of diverse fanbases, each with their own unique interpretation of Swift. With the help of social media, members of these sub-tribes can come together to create their own version of her reality, forming a sense of community (although sometimes this can lead to a sense of entitlement). My personal perception of Swift may be slightly vindictive and surprisingly self-deprecating, while others may admire her loyalty to friends, her openness about struggling with disordered eating, her playful nature, her business savvy, or may have connected with her in some other way that helps them understand and appreciate their own identity – all of which are valid parasocial relationships. Some may argue that Swift’s persona is a carefully constructed fantasy with herself at the center – so why shouldn’t it compete with others?

The ever-changing and unique alterations in Swift’s persona are what make her stand out as a celebrity. Despite her carefully managed media presence and predictable breadcrumbs, she continues to captivate audiences. However, some may find her recent interview for Time magazine’s person of the year cover to be uninteresting and focused on validating her side of the story rather than delving into the complex relationship between her public image and personal identity. While she may appear as a powerful and solitary figure on stage, it is within the chaotic and diverse world of pop culture that she finds the most fulfilling experiences.

Source: theguardian.com