Swifties
{{Short description|Fandom of Taylor Swift}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
File:Taylor Swift GMA (8114373842).jpg interacting with the Swifties gathered outside the Good Morning America studio in New York City (2012)]]
Swifties are the fandom of the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Regarded by journalists as one of the largest, most devoted, and influential fan bases, Swifties are known for their high levels of participation, community, and cultural impact on the music industry and popular culture. They are a subject of widespread coverage in the mainstream media.
Critics have opined that Swift has redefined artist–fandom relationships by establishing an intimate connection with Swifties. She has frequently engaged with, helped, credited and prioritized her fans, who have offered unprecedented support and interest in her works irrespective of her wavering reception in the media. They continued to support Swift through her genre transitions, unanticipated artistic pivots, and her highly publicized controversies such as the 2019 masters dispute, while instigating the political scrutiny of Ticketmaster that led to implementation of various laws and stimulating economic growth with the Eras Tour. Journalists consider Swifties as a significantly influential voting bloc, especially in the politics of the United States.
Swift's releases, promotional efforts, and fashion have garnered attention for incorporating Easter eggs and clues that are decoded by Swifties and considered part of her musical universe. They have also been a subject of criticism, with some fans displaying disregard for Swift's privacy by publicizing her real-time locations and verbally abusing individuals, including celebrities, who malign Swift. On the other hand, some Swifties criticize Swift herself for her lifestyle and professional choices, which journalists disapprove as a parasocial relationship.
Cultural analyses have variably described Swifties as a community of interest, a subculture, and a near-metaverse, while academics have studied them for their consumerism, content creation, social capital, collective effervescence, organizing prolificacy, and interpersonal relationships. The word "Swiftie(s)" was added to the Oxford Dictionary of English in 2023.
History
File:Taylor Swift's Singaporean fans.jpg in 2012]]
Taylor Swift began writing, recording and releasing country music in 2006. Before releasing her debut single, "Tim McGraw" (2006), Swift had been using social networking websites. She was one of the first country artists to use the Internet as a marketing tool for her music, predominantly promoting herself on Myspace and connecting with listeners who liked her music when it played on radio.{{Cite magazine |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=July 25, 2007 |title=Getting to know Taylor Swift |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/07/25/getting-know-taylor-swift/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=January 25, 2022 |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524211942/https://ew.com/article/2007/07/25/getting-know-taylor-swift/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=February 5, 2008 |title=Taylor Swift's Road to Fame |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2008/02/05/taylor-swifts-road-fame |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |page=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221160659/http://www.ew.com/article/2008/02/05/taylor-swifts-road-fame |archive-date=February 21, 2015 |access-date=April 22, 2012}} She created her MySpace account on August 31, 2005, a day before her then-label, Big Machine Records, was inaugurated. Swift's songs on MySpace collected more than 45 million listens, which Scott Borchetta, the label CEO, provided to "skeptical" country radio programmers to convince them of existing fans for Swift's songs.{{cite magazine |last=Roland |first=Tom |date=July 7, 2016 |title=Love Story: The Impact of Taylor Swift's First Decade in Music |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/7430895/taylor-swift-music-career-ten-years-impact-country |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714142858/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/7430895/taylor-swift-music-career-ten-years-impact-country |archive-date=July 14, 2016 |access-date=July 7, 2016}}
Swift released her self-titled debut studio album in the United States in October 2006. After selling 40,000 copies in its first week,{{cite magazine |last=Hasty |first=Katie |date=November 1, 2006 |title='Hannah Montana' Trumps My Chem, Legend At No. 1 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56784/hannah-montana-trumps-my-chem-legend-at-no-1 |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523081237/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56784/hannah-montana-trumps-my-chem-legend-at-no-1 |archive-date=May 23, 2013 |access-date=February 21, 2010}} it became a sleeper hit as its sales remained consistent over time,{{Cite news |last=Malec |first=Jim |date=May 2, 2011 |title=Taylor Swift: The Garden In The Machine |page=3 |work=American Songwriter |url=https://www.americansongwriter.com/2011/05/taylor-swift-the-garden-in-the-machine/3/ |access-date=May 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807054922/http://www.americansongwriter.com/2011/05/taylor-swift-the-garden-in-the-machine/3/ |archive-date=August 7, 2013}} reaching one million copies in November 2007.{{cite web |last=Guerra |first=Joey |date=November 3, 2007 |title=Swift known for sweet sound, but there's more to her |url=https://www.chron.com/entertainment/music/article/Swift-known-for-sweet-sound-but-there-s-more-to-1622345.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925142434/https://www.chron.com/entertainment/music/article/Swift-known-for-sweet-sound-but-there-s-more-to-1622345.php |archive-date=September 25, 2019 |access-date=February 21, 2020 |work=Houston Chronicle}} It garnered its highest sales week in January 2008, with 187,000 copies.{{cite magazine |last=Walsh |first=Chris |date=December 27, 2007 |title=Groban, Blige Enjoy Huge Weeks On Album Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046971/groban-blige-enjoy-huge-weeks-on-album-chart |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115233558/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046971/groban-blige-enjoy-huge-weeks-on-album-chart |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |access-date=February 27, 2021}} This sleeper success contributed to a rapid increase in Swift's notability within and beyond the country music scene. Taylor Swift spent 24 weeks at the number-one spot of the U.S. Top Country Albums chart and became the longest-running album from the 2000s decade on the all-genre Billboard 200.{{Cite web |last=Whitaker |first=Sterling |date=October 24, 2021 |title=15 Years Ago Today: Taylor Swift Releases Debut Album |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-self-titled-debut-album/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024115006/https://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-self-titled-debut-album/ |archive-date=October 24, 2021 |access-date=October 24, 2021 |website=Taste of Country}} Her follow-up album, Fearless, was released in November 2008 and became the best-selling album of 2009. It achieved significant international success beyond the Anglosphere,{{Cite news |last=Cripps |first=Charlotte |date=June 21, 2013 |title=Country music star Taylor Swift the new country music is all about |newspaper=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/country-music-star-taylor-swift-the-new-country-music-is-all-about-keeping-it-real-8667097.html |access-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609075420/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/country-music-star-taylor-swift-the-new-country-music-is-all-about-keeping-it-real-8667097.html |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last=Rosen |first=Jody |author-link=Jody Rosen |date=November 17, 2013 |title=Why Taylor Swift Is the Reigning Queen of Pop |url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/11/taylor-swift-reigning-queen-of-pop.html |magazine=New York |access-date=November 9, 2020 |url-access=limited |archive-date=November 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131119003714/https://www.vulture.com/2013/11/taylor-swift-reigning-queen-of-pop.html |url-status=live }} where country music was then not popular,{{cite news |last=Crummy |first=Colin |date=March 13, 2014 |title=Detwanging country music: how Nashville took the UK |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/mar/13/country-music-taylor-swift-nashville-radio-2 |access-date=September 23, 2021 |archive-date=May 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522111223/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/mar/13/country-music-taylor-swift-nashville-radio-2 |url-status=live }} and its singles "Love Story" and "You Belong with Me" became crossover successes on pop radio,{{cite magazine |date=April 9, 2021 |title=The Significance of Taylor Swift's Fearless in 2008—and How Taylor's Version Stacks Up |url=https://time.com/5953619/fearless-taylors-version-reactions-taylor-swift/ |url-status=live |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826042950/https://time.com/5953619/fearless-taylors-version-reactions-taylor-swift/ |archive-date=August 26, 2021 |access-date=August 9, 2021 |url-access=limited}} catapulting Swift to mainstream fame and widening her audience.{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Allison |date=April 12, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's New Take on Fearless Piles on the Nostalgia, Along with Some Revenge |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/taylor-swift-fearless-review-taylors-version/2021/04/11/c1bdef72-996a-11eb-a6d0-13d207aadb78_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827095411/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/taylor-swift-fearless-review-taylors-version/2021/04/11/c1bdef72-996a-11eb-a6d0-13d207aadb78_story.html |archive-date=August 27, 2021}}{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Lauren M. |date=November 12, 2018 |title=10 Years Later, Taylor Swift's Fearless Still Slaps |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-fearless-10-year-anniversary-755020/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410112633/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-fearless-10-year-anniversary-755020/ |archive-date=April 10, 2021 |access-date=March 27, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone}} The success planted dedicated fanbases for Swift in overseas markets such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, Philippines, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, India,{{Cite magazine |last1=Chingkheingambi |first1=Mayengbam |last2=Sharma |first2=Aditi |date=December 3, 2024 |title=Why 'Anti-Hero' Taylor Swift is Indian youngsters' hero |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sunday-special/story/taylor-swift-the-eras-tour-indian-swifties-india-concert-songs-lyrics-2470305-2023-12-03 |access-date=February 18, 2024 |magazine=India Today |archive-date=February 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212103629/https://www.indiatoday.in/sunday-special/story/taylor-swift-the-eras-tour-indian-swifties-india-concert-songs-lyrics-2470305-2023-12-03 |url-status=live }} and Japan.{{Cite web |last=West |first=Bryan |date=February 8, 2024 |title='Karma is the queen on the stage': Japanese fans hold 500 signs for Taylor Swift |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/02/08/japanese-fans-organize-to-hold-500-signs-for-taylor-swift-at-eras-tour/72509979007/ |access-date=March 8, 2024 |newspaper=USA Today |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308110706/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/02/08/japanese-fans-organize-to-hold-500-signs-for-taylor-swift-at-eras-tour/72509979007/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Colombo |first=Richard |date=February 7, 2024 |title=Japanese fans excited to see Taylor Swift perform in Tokyo just after record Grammy win |url=https://apnews.com/article/japan-taylor-swift-super-bowl-grammy-597ac854d29fc6bb2efca72999fa9f4e |access-date=March 8, 2024 |publisher=Associated Press |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308110706/https://apnews.com/article/japan-taylor-swift-super-bowl-grammy-597ac854d29fc6bb2efca72999fa9f4e |url-status=live }} Her subsequent albums, which saw her experiment with pop, rock, electronic, folk, and alternative styles, helped enlarge her fanbase and diversify its demographics in the following decades.{{cite web |last=Hull |first=Tom |author-link=Tom Hull (critic) |date=July 27, 2020 |title=Music Week |url=https://tomhull.com/ocston/blog/archives/2869-Music-Week.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910132451/http://tomhull.com/ocston/blog/archives/2869-Music-Week.html |archive-date=September 10, 2020 |access-date=July 31, 2020 |website=Tom Hull – on the Web}}{{Cite magazine |last=Hunt |first=El |date=July 24, 2020 |title=How Taylor Swift's new album 'Folklore', inspired by The National, made dad-rock cool again |url=https://www.nme.com/features/taylor-swift-new-album-folklore-the-national-dad-rock-2714721 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |magazine=NME |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926103518/https://www.nme.com/features/taylor-swift-new-album-folklore-the-national-dad-rock-2714721 |url-status=live }}
= Etymology =
The word "Swiftie" for a Swift fan gained popularity in the late 2000s. Etymologically, the word is formed from Swift's name and the suffix "ie", which is often used in diminutives to imply affection.{{Cite web |title=Oxford Word of the Year 2023 |url=https://languages.oup.com/word-of-the-year/2023/ |access-date=January 30, 2024 |publisher=Oxford University Press |archive-date=January 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131001517/https://languages.oup.com/word-of-the-year/2023/ |url-status=live }} Swift stated in a 2012 Vevo interview that her fans call themselves "Swifties", which she found "adorable".{{cite web|first=Taylor|last=Swift|date=October 29, 2012|access-date=September 26, 2023|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehLp0cjqkRk|title=Taylor Swift - #VEVOCertified, Pt. 3: Taylor Talks About Her Fans|via=YouTube|archive-date=September 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926232151/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehLp0cjqkRk|url-status=live}} Swift filed the term for trademark in March 2017.{{Cite magazine |last=Rys |first=Dan |date=March 15, 2017 |title=Taylor Swift Files Nine Trademarks For the Word 'Swifties,' But Why? |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-swift-trademarks-swifties-but-why/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 26, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926062222/https://www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-swift-trademarks-swifties-but-why/ |url-status=live }} In 2023, Oxford Dictionary of English defined Swiftie as a noun meaning "an enthusiastic fan of the singer Taylor Swift." As per the dictionary, some words that collocate with Swiftie in popular usage are "fandom", "die-hard", "hardcore" and "self-proclaimed". According to Dictionary.com, the term Swiftie often implies that the person is "a very passionate and loyal fan—as opposed to just a casual listener."{{Cite web |date=December 1, 2023 |title=What Is A "Swiftie"? |url=https://www.dictionary.com/e/pop-culture/swiftie/ |access-date=January 30, 2024 |website=Dictionary.com |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130183219/https://www.dictionary.com/e/pop-culture/swiftie/ |url-status=live }}
Relationship with Swift
File:Taylor Swift GMA (8114161046).jpg
Swift maintains a close relationship with Swifties, to whom many journalists attribute her cultural influence.{{cite web |last=Khan |first=Fawzia |date=June 18, 2021 |title=The Might Of Taylor Swift |url=https://elle.in/article/the-might-of-taylor-swift/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628043313/https://elle.in/article/the-might-of-taylor-swift/ |archive-date=June 28, 2021 |access-date=October 20, 2021 |magazine=Elle}}{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Katie |date=June 8, 2018 |title=How Taylor Swift flipped online fandom on its head for the better |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/internet/how-taylor-swift-flipped-online-fandom-on-its-head-for-the-better/ |access-date=March 19, 2023 |agency=CNET |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529114401/https://www.cnet.com/culture/internet/how-taylor-swift-flipped-online-fandom-on-its-head-for-the-better/ |url-status=live }} To The Washington Post, Swift and Swifties are "all part of one big friend group". She has "revolutionized" the relationship a celebrity can have with fans, according to The New York Times.{{Cite news |last=Brodesser-Akner |first=Taffy |date=October 12, 2023 |title=My Delirious Trip to the Heart of Swiftiedom |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/12/magazine/taylor-swift-eras-tour.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 15, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014231955/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/12/magazine/taylor-swift-eras-tour.html |url-status=live }} Many fans feel connected to her as they "have grown up with her and her music."{{Cite journal |last=Fanick |first=Christopher |date=May 1, 2019 |title="Call It What You Want": The Impact of Fan Characteristics on Political Views |url=https://digitalcommons.trinity.edu/comm_honors/17 |journal=Communication Honors Theses |access-date=September 23, 2023 |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514085525/https://digitalcommons.trinity.edu/comm_honors/17/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Pazzanese |first=Christina |date=August 2, 2023 |title=So what exactly makes Taylor Swift so great? |website=Harvard Gazette |url=https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/08/so-what-exactly-makes-taylor-swift-so-great/ |access-date=August 7, 2023 |archive-date=August 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807123148/https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/08/so-what-exactly-makes-taylor-swift-so-great/ |url-status=live }} Lora Kelley of The Atlantic stated that Swift "understands the power of the group experience."{{Cite magazine |last=Kelley |first=Lora |date=October 20, 2023 |title=What Taylor Swift Knows |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2023/10/what-taylor-swift-knows/675720/ |url-access=limited |access-date=October 22, 2023 |magazine=The Atlantic |archive-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020235100/https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2023/10/what-taylor-swift-knows/675720/ |url-status=live }} Her connection with fans is considered unique for artists of her stature; she has interacted with them on social media, sent them gifts, hand-selected them to attend intimate concerts or meet-and-greets, made surprise visits, participated in some of their functions (such as a wedding or a bridal shower), and gifted free tickets to disadvantaged or medically ill fans.{{Cite news |last=Tilchen |first=Jordyn |date=August 21, 2019 |title=Taylor Swift's Fans Have Known Her For 13 Years — This Is How She's Kept Growing With Them |agency=MTV News |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/29ig45/taylor-swift-evolution-of-swifties-relationship |access-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514195248/https://www.mtv.com/news/29ig45/taylor-swift-evolution-of-swifties-relationship |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |date=May 16, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift defends fan, gets them tickets after incident at Philadelphia show |agency=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/taylor-swift-defends-fan-security-guard-eras-tour-lincoln-financial-field-philadelphia/ |access-date=May 17, 2023 |archive-date=May 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517201424/https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/taylor-swift-defends-fan-security-guard-eras-tour-lincoln-financial-field-philadelphia/ |url-status=live }} Swift's habit of lurking her fans online has been referred to as "Taylurking" by the fans.{{Cite news |last=Raza-Sheikh |first=Zoya |date=November 17, 2021 |title=How Taylor Swift redefined online fandom, from SwiftTok to #Taylurking |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/taylor-swift-red-album-swiftok-b1956477.html |access-date=September 26, 2023 |newspaper=The Independent |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926122319/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/taylor-swift-red-album-swiftok-b1956477.html |url-status=live }}
In June 2010, Swift hosted a 13-hour meet-and-greet as a part of the CMA Festival in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2014, 2017 and 2019, she hosted the "Secret Sessions", a series of pre-release album-listening parties for fans at her houses,{{Cite book |last1=Kawa |first1=Katie |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tCxmDwAAQBAJ |title=Taylor Swift: Superstar Singer |last2=Cartlidge |first2=Cherese |date=December 15, 2016 |publisher=Greenhaven Publishing LLC |isbn=978-1-5345-6026-0 |access-date=September 23, 2023 |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731205113/https://books.google.com/books?id=tCxmDwAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=November 15, 2017 |title=Taylor Swift Avoided and Mocked the Media with 'Reputation.' And It Worked. |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/11/15/taylor-swift-avoided-and-mocked-the-media-with-reputation-and-it-worked/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=December 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019202738/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/11/15/taylor-swift-avoided-and-mocked-the-media-with-reputation-and-it-worked/ |archive-date=October 19, 2020}} and a 2014 Christmas event dubbed by the fans as the "Swiftmas," where Swift sent packages of early Christmas presents to fans and hand-delivered some of them.{{Cite magazine |last=Wang |first=Jenna |date=December 24, 2014 |title=Fans on Taylor Swift's 'Swiftmas': 'No One in the Music Industry Has as Big a Heart as She Does' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-swiftmas-6415161/ |access-date=September 26, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224084259/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-swiftmas-6415161/ |url-status=live }} Swift has also written songs in honor of her fans, such as "Long Live" (2010){{cite web |last=Sodomsky |first=Sam |date=August 19, 2019 |title=Taylor Swift: Speak Now |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-speak-now/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214230042/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/taylor-swift-speak-now/ |archive-date=December 14, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2019 |website=Pitchfork}} or "Ronan" (2012); the latter is a charity record about a fan's four-year-old son who died of neuroblastoma. In 2023, she invited 2,200 fans to the world premiere of her concert film, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, free of cost.{{Cite magazine |date=October 12, 2023 |title=Of Course Beyoncé Made A Cameo At Taylor Swift's 'Eras' Film Premiere |url=https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/a45516742/taylor-swift-eras-film-premiere/ |access-date=October 13, 2023 |magazine=Elle |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014040857/https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/a45516742/taylor-swift-eras-film-premiere/ |url-status=live }} Zoya Raza-Sheikh of The Independent reported that Swift "remains at the forefront of delivering fan-based experiences to cultivate an ever-growing following. Whether it's personal invites to the singer's house for album listening parties, aka Secret Sessions, or pre-show hangouts, she continues to put her fans first."File:Taylor Swift at TIFF 2022 - 3.jpg in 2022]]With her large fanbase, Swift is one of the most followed people on social media.{{Cite magazine |last=Weiner |first=Natalie |date=September 9, 2015 |title=Taylor Swift Officially the Most-Followed Person on Instagram (Over Kim K and Bey) |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-most-followed-person-instagram-kim-kardashian-beyonce-6692298/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=May 11, 2023 |archive-date=May 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511182501/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-most-followed-person-instagram-kim-kardashian-beyonce-6692298/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Duboff |first=Josh |date=March 16, 2016 |title=How Did Selena Gomez Become the Most Followed Person on Instagram? |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/03/selena-gomez-instagram-most-followed |magazine=Vanity Fair |access-date=May 11, 2023 |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531232115/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/03/selena-gomez-instagram-most-followed |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Brandwatch's 50 Most Influential People on Twitter 2021 |url=https://www.brandwatch.com/blog/50-most-influential-people-twitter/ |access-date=November 4, 2021 |website=Brandwatch |archive-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227035505/https://www.brandwatch.com/blog/50-most-influential-people-twitter/ |url-status=live }} According to ticketing executive Nathan Hubbard, Swift was the first musician ever "to be natively online."{{Cite news |last=Ben |first=Sisario |date=August 5, 2023 |title=How Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Conquered the World |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/05/arts/music/taylor-swift-eras-tour.html |access-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805093722/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/05/arts/music/taylor-swift-eras-tour.html/ |url-status=live }} Rolling Stone critic Brittany Spanos opined that Swift grew her fanbase on social media: "She was using Tumblr way past its prime. Twitter. She's now on TikTok, commenting on people's videos."{{Cite web |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift is peak millennial vibes |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/10/19/1129868151/taylor-swift-is-peak-millennial-vibes |access-date=December 19, 2022 |publisher=NPR |archive-date=May 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528185642/https://www.npr.org/2022/10/19/1129868151/taylor-swift-is-peak-millennial-vibes |url-status=live }} The part of TikTok dominated by Swifties is known as "SwiftTok". A 2024 qualitative study of Swifties credited "Swift's constant self-disclosure and authentic persona on social media" for the Swifties' exceptional relationship with Swift.{{Cite journal |last1=Zafina |first1=Nadzira |last2=Sinha |first2=Annapurna |date=January 30, 2024 |title=Celebrity-fan relationship: studying Taylor Swift and Indonesian Swifties' parasocial relationships on social media |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01296612.2024.2304422 |journal=Media Asia |volume=51 |issue=4 |pages=533–547 |doi=10.1080/01296612.2024.2304422 |issn=0129-6612}}
The nicknames generally used by Swifties for Swift include "Blondie" (referencing her blonde hair), "T-Swizzle" (after the lyrics in Swift's 2009 parody song "Thug Story" with American record producer T-Pain), and "The Music Industry" (referring to her influence on the music industry).{{Cite magazine |last=Pelzer |first=Kelsey |date=December 13, 2022 |title=15+ Taylor Swift Nicknames |magazine=Parade |url=https://parade.com/entertainment/taylor-swift-nicknames |access-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013042804/https://parade.com/entertainment/taylor-swift-nicknames |url-status=live }} Chinese Swifties dubbed her "Meimei" (霉霉), a pun based on the Chinese character "Mei" (霉) for "unlucky" that has since been adopted by Chinese state media.{{Cite magazine |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=December 4, 2023 |title='Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour' Film Seeking Release Date in China (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/taylor-swift-the-eras-tour-seeking-china-cinema-release-1235819592/ |access-date=December 4, 2023 |magazine=Variety |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204053016/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/taylor-swift-the-eras-tour-seeking-china-cinema-release-1235819592/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Tobin |first1=Meaghan |last2=Wu |first2=Pei-Lin |date=December 29, 2023 |title=Chinese Swifties are ready to shake it off at the Eras movie |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/30/taylor-swift-china-eras-tour/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230120540/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/30/taylor-swift-china-eras-tour/ |url-status=live }}
Swift has donated to fans to cover their academic loans, medical bills, rent or other expenses.{{Cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |date=March 23, 2021 |title=A Timeline of Taylor Swift's Generosity |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/timeline-taylor-swift-generosity-8481430/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322185001/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/timeline-taylor-swift-generosity-8481430/ |url-status=live }} In 2018, she bought a house for a homeless and pregnant fan.{{Cite magazine |last=Atkinson |first=Katie |date=January 3, 2018 |title=Taylor Swift Helps Pregnant Fan Buy a House: 'She Lifted Me Off the Ground' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-pregnant-fan-buy-house-8085901/ |access-date=September 26, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926113151/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-pregnant-fan-buy-house-8085901/ |url-status=live }} Her high donation to a fan with leukemia on GoFundMe in 2015 caused the crowdfunding platform to expand its donation cap.{{Cite magazine |last=Plucinska |first=Joanna |date=July 13, 2015 |title=GoFundMe Raised Its Donation Cap Thanks to Taylor Swift |url=https://time.com/3955074/gofundme-taylor-swift-donation/ |magazine=Time |access-date=May 17, 2023 |archive-date=May 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517201424/https://time.com/3955074/gofundme-taylor-swift-donation/ |url-status=live }} In 2023, thousands of Swifties collectively donated US$125,000 via GoFundMe to the family of a fellow Swiftie who was struck and killed by a drunk driver on his way home from a Swift concert. Much of the donated amount was given in portions of $13, Swift's favorite number.{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Fans Donate Thousands For Fan Who Was Killed On The Way Home From Her Concert |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/taylor-swift-fans-donate-thousands-164103161.html |access-date=September 26, 2023 |publisher=Yahoo! |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926113151/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/taylor-swift-fans-donate-thousands-164103161.html |url-status=live }} When three children were murdered and several other maimed at a Swift-themed event, Swifties raised over {{Currency|100000|UKP}} within a day to help the victims.{{Cite news |date=July 30, 2024 |title=Swifties for Southport: Fans raise more than £100,000 for Southport victims |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/swifties-for-southport-taylor-victims-b2588275.html |access-date=July 30, 2024 |newspaper=The Independent |archive-date=July 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730153910/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/swifties-for-southport-taylor-victims-b2588275.html |url-status=live }}
While Swifties are generally perceived as a fandom unanimously supportive of Swift, members of the fanbase have also criticized her a number of times throughout the years. Reasons include insufficient political activism from Swift, such as during Donald Trump's election as the 45th president of the U.S.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Allie |date=October 17, 2016 |title=Taylor Swift Won't Save Us From Donald Trump |url=https://www.thecut.com/2016/10/taylor-swift-wont-save-us-from-donald-trump.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507182214/https://www.thecut.com/2016/10/taylor-swift-wont-save-us-from-donald-trump.html |archive-date=May 7, 2023 |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=The Cut}}{{Cite web |last=Bereznak |first=Alyssa |date=November 8, 2017 |title=Hearing Both Sides of Taylor Swift |url=https://www.theringer.com/music/2017/11/8/16621926/hearing-both-sides-of-taylor-swift |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507151539/https://www.theringer.com/music/2017/11/8/16621926/hearing-both-sides-of-taylor-swift |archive-date=May 7, 2023 |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=The Ringer}} or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,{{Cite magazine |last=Lee |first=Chantelle |date=May 29, 2024 |title=Swifties Demand Taylor Swift 'Speak Now' on Gaza |url=https://time.com/6983331/swifties-callout-taylor-swift-palestine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531222157/https://time.com/6983331/swifties-callout-taylor-swift-palestine/ |archive-date=May 31, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024 |magazine=Time}}{{Cite news |date=May 30, 2024 |title=A growing number of Swifties are calling on Taylor Swift to break her silence on Gaza |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/growing-number-swifties-are-calling-taylor-swift-break-silence-gaza-rcna154569 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531053900/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/growing-number-swifties-are-calling-taylor-swift-break-silence-gaza-rcna154569 |archive-date=May 31, 2024 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |agency=NBC News}} and the individuals she has been associated with in the media, such as Matty Healy, who is known for his controversial statements.{{Cite news |last=D'Souza |first=Shaad |date=May 30, 2023 |title=Demanding Taylor Swift dump Matty Healy? Fan culture is out of control |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/30/taylor-swift-matty-healy-fan-culture |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530113610/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/30/taylor-swift-matty-healy-fan-culture |archive-date=May 30, 2023 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}} Swift has also criticized her fans or some of her fans in certain lyrics of her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (2024), prominently in the tracks "But Daddy I Love Him" and "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" for encroaching on her private life.{{Cite web |last=Mendez II |first=Moises |date=April 19, 2024 |title=How Taylor Swift Addresses Her Fans in TTPD |url=https://time.com/6969057/taylor-swift-tortured-poets-department-fame/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515120834/https://time.com/6969057/taylor-swift-tortured-poets-department-fame/ |archive-date=May 15, 2024 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |magazine=Time}}
Lore and community
File:Walking through a lot of rainstorms.svg referencing Swift's speech at the 1989 World Tour (2015) about her song "Clean" (2014)]]
Journalists describe Swift's works, celebrity, and the fanfare surrounding them as a world of its own, dubbing it a music "universe" subject to analyses by Swifties. Propagated by her prolific use of Easter eggs and "unusually close connection with her fans",{{Cite news |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=May 15, 2023 |title=The bonding experience of watching a Taylor Swift concert from a parking lot |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/music/2023/05/15/taylor-swift-eras-tour-parking-lot/ |access-date=May 17, 2023 |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522190727/https://www.washingtonpost.com/music/2023/05/15/taylor-swift-eras-tour-parking-lot/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Gambles |first=Sarah |date=July 23, 2023 |title=The ubiquitous power of Taylor Swift |url=https://www.deseret.com/2023/7/22/23579559/taylor-swift-eras-tour-taking-over-america-summer |access-date=July 23, 2023 |newspaper=Deseret News |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723032924/https://www.deseret.com/2023/7/22/23579559/taylor-swift-eras-tour-taking-over-america-summer |url-status=live }} Swift is a source of myth in popular culture. Her outfits, accessories, diction, color coding, and numerology have also been Easter eggs.{{Cite magazine |last=Lutz |first=Ashley |date=October 8, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift's new album proves she is a business genius |url=https://fortune.com/2022/10/08/taylor-swift-midnights-release-business-strategy/ |url-status=live |magazine=Fortune |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008100345/https://fortune.com/2022/10/08/taylor-swift-midnights-release-business-strategy/ |archive-date=October 8, 2022 |access-date=October 8, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Horton |first=Adrian |date=May 29, 2023 |title=How Taylor Swift's Eras tour took over America |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/may/29/taylor-swift-eras-tour-america-takeover |access-date=May 29, 2023 |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529131032/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/may/29/taylor-swift-eras-tour-america-takeover |url-status=live }} Swifties are known for their fan theories, having gained a reputation as "the best online sleuths" for breaking down and associating various elements they consider as clues or Easter eggs.{{Cite magazine |date=August 10, 2023 |title=All the Taylor Swift fan theories that predicted the 1989 (Taylor's Version) announcement |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/499909/taylor-swift-fan-theories-predict-1989-taylors-version-announcement/ |access-date=September 26, 2023 |magazine=Hello! |archive-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925121651/https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/499909/taylor-swift-fan-theories-predict-1989-taylors-version-announcement/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Hunt |first=Elle |date=September 22, 2017 |title=Taylor Swift's fans make the best online sleuths. What can they teach me about social media? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/sep/22/taylor-swifts-fans-make-the-best-online-sleuths-what-can-they-teach-me-about-social-media |access-date=March 1, 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301055810/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/sep/22/taylor-swifts-fans-make-the-best-online-sleuths-what-can-they-teach-me-about-social-media |url-status=live }} According to Bruce Arthur of Toronto Star, "Swift is followed by fans whose dedication to her mythology is Byzantine and layered and complex and messianic."{{Cite news |last=Arthur |first=Bruce |date=September 26, 2023 |title=Bruce Arthur: Higher, Stronger, Swifter? Taylor Swift goes to a football game and shows she's bigger than the NFL |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/higher-stronger-swifter-taylor-swift-goes-to-a-football-game-and-shows-she-s-bigger/article_c8727922-1ec5-55ce-8f94-f453d2c918d4.html |access-date=September 27, 2023 |newspaper=Toronto Star |archive-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927140522/https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/higher-stronger-swifter-taylor-swift-goes-to-a-football-game-and-shows-she-s-bigger/article_c8727922-1ec5-55ce-8f94-f453d2c918d4.html |url-status=live }}
Glamour and The Washington Post termed the lore as the Taylor Swift Cinematic Universe.{{Cite news |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=December 26, 2022 |title=2022: The year in review (Taylor's version) |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/12/26/taylor-swift-2022-midnights-ticketmaster/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226194730/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/12/26/taylor-swift-2022-midnights-ticketmaster/ |archive-date=December 26, 2022}}{{Cite magazine |last=Tannenbaum |first=Emily |title=Taylor Swift Hid a Bunch of Easter Eggs in the All Too Well Short Film |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/taylor-swift-hid-a-bunch-of-easter-eggs-in-the-all-too-well-short-film |magazine=Glamour |access-date=May 13, 2022 |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618122726/https://www.glamour.com/story/taylor-swift-hid-a-bunch-of-easter-eggs-in-the-all-too-well-short-film |url-status=live }} Entertainment Weekly called it Taylor Swift Musical Universe—"a pop star known for prodigious hint-dropping, whose fans turn every piece of info into an online archaeological dig."{{cite magazine |last=Suskind |first=Alex |date=May 9, 2019 |title=New Reputation: Taylor Swift shares intel on TS7, fan theories, and her next era |url=https://ew.com/music/2019/05/09/taylor-swift-cover-story/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812135902/https://ew.com/music/2019/05/09/taylor-swift-cover-story/ |archive-date=August 12, 2019 |access-date=May 13, 2022}} In The Guardian, Adrian Horton said "Swiftverse" is a subculture of mass media, cultivated by "years of worldbuilding and Swiftian mythology", while Alim Kheraj wrote Swift turned pop music into a "multiplayer puzzle" involving fanbase commitment, which other artists have attempted to reproduce.{{Cite news |last=Kheraj |first=Alim |date=November 9, 2022 |title=The curate's Easter egg: how Taylor Swift turned pop into a multiplayer puzzle |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/nov/09/how-taylor-swift-turned-pop-into-a-multiplayer-puzzle |access-date=May 5, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=April 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428003956/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/nov/09/how-taylor-swift-turned-pop-into-a-multiplayer-puzzle |url-status=live }} According to Sinéad O'Sullivan in The New Yorker, the Swiftverse is "a fan universe, filled with complex, in-sequence narratives that have been contextualized through multiple perspectives" across Swift's albums.{{Cite news |last=O'Sullivan |first=Sinéad |date=April 30, 2024 |title=Why Normal Music Reviews No Longer Make Sense for Taylor Swift |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/why-normal-music-reviews-no-longer-make-sense-for-taylor-swift |access-date=May 3, 2024 |magazine=The New Yorker |issn=0028-792X |archive-date=May 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501095815/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/why-normal-music-reviews-no-longer-make-sense-for-taylor-swift |url-status=live }}
Andrew Unterberger of Spin wrote that symbolisms are "inextricable elements of the Taylor Swift experience" and key to understanding her work.{{Cite magazine |last=Unterberger |first=Andrew |date=October 22, 2014 |title=The Complete Taylor Swiftology: A Glossary Of Symbols |url=https://www.spin.com/2014/10/taylor-swiftology-lyrics-recurring-symbols-1989/ |access-date=May 29, 2023 |magazine=Spin |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606001433/https://www.spin.com/2014/10/taylor-swiftology-lyrics-recurring-symbols-1989/ |url-status=live }} To Caroline Mimbs Nyce of The Atlantic, Swift's fandom is nearly a metaverse: "a huge virtual community unmoored from a single platform, based on a world around Taylor Swift, missing only the 3D virtual space to hang out in."{{Cite magazine |last=Nyce |first=Caroline Mimbs |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Weirdly, Taylor Swift Is Extremely Close to Creating a True Metaverse |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/10/taylor-swift-fandom-true-metaverse/671814/ |magazine=The Atlantic |access-date=May 29, 2023 |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529154902/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/10/taylor-swift-fandom-true-metaverse/671814/ |url-status=live }} According to Yahr, Swift enjoys embedding "clues, hints and puzzles" in her works, social media posts and interviews, constructing a self-mythology that fans believe could have a hidden meaning and attempt to decode, such as a release date, song or album title or an artistic element.{{Cite news |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=October 20, 2022 |title=How the search for clues in Taylor Swift's music became all-consuming |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/10/20/taylor-swift-midnights-easter-eggs/ |access-date=May 29, 2023 |archive-date=October 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020150337/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/10/20/taylor-swift-midnights-easter-eggs/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJpZCI6Ijg0NjgzODUiLCJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNjY2Mjc3NDQ1LCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNjY3NDg3MDQ1LCJpYXQiOjE2NjYyNzc0NDUsImp0aSI6IjJlZTI1ZTg4LWJjMjctNGJkZi1hZGI5LTk3MTYwOTM1OTAwZCIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9hcnRzLWVudGVydGFpbm1lbnQvMjAyMi8xMC8yMC90YXlsb3Itc3dpZnQtbWlkbmlnaHRzLWVhc3Rlci1lZ2dzLyJ9.zn2VA8PbcM-2DM45W5md0mhQc7VuDEyJUPCY-zwxGGg |url-status=live }} Madeline Merinuk of Today observed how Swift's easter eggs, which originated as short messages hidden within elaborate CD packaging, have become more innovative and intricate over time.{{Cite web |last=Merinuk |first=Madeline |date=October 21, 2022 |title=How Taylor Swift turned fandom into a scavenger hunt of clues |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/music/taylor-swift-easter-eggs-hidden-messages-rcna51887 |access-date=September 23, 2023 |work=Today |archive-date=September 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921132621/https://www.today.com/popculture/music/taylor-swift-easter-eggs-hidden-messages-rcna51887 |url-status=live }} The critical analysis is referred to as "Swiftology" in the media.Attributed to many sources: {{*}} {{Cite magazine |last=Adler |first=Dan |date=September 18, 2019 |title=Taylor Swift Opens Up, Really |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/09/taylor-swift-rolling-stone-cover |magazine=Vanity Fair |access-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-date=June 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612174543/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/09/taylor-swift-rolling-stone-cover |url-status=live }} {{*}} {{Cite news |last=Nicholson |first=Rebecca |date=February 5, 2022 |title=Richard Moore: even spies don't want to see our Wordle solutions |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/feb/05/richard-moore-even-spies-dont-want-to-see-our-wordle-solutions |access-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019054419/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/feb/05/richard-moore-even-spies-dont-want-to-see-our-wordle-solutions |url-status=live }} {{*}} {{Cite web |last=Crucchiola |first=Jordan |date=August 16, 2019 |title=Let's Speculate Wildly About the Meaning of Taylor Swift's Lover Song Titles |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/08/lets-speculate-about-taylor-swifts-lover-song-titles.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 19, 2022 |website=Vulture |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019054423/https://www.vulture.com/2019/08/lets-speculate-about-taylor-swifts-lover-song-titles.html |url-status=live }} For instance, "the scarf" mentioned in "All Too Well" has been a topic of mythology.{{Cite news |last=Khomami |first=Nadia |date=November 15, 2021 |title=Where's Taylor Swift's scarf – is it in Jake Gyllenhaal's drawer? |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/nov/15/wheres-taylor-swifts-scarf-is-it-in-jake-gyllenhaals-drawer |url-status=live |access-date=March 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306171523/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/nov/15/wheres-taylor-swifts-scarf-is-it-in-jake-gyllenhaals-drawer |archive-date=March 6, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Mercado |first=Mia |date=November 16, 2021 |title=Where the Hell Is Taylor Swift's Scarf? |url=https://www.thecut.com/2021/11/where-the-hell-is-taylor-swifts-scarf.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203104454/https://www.thecut.com/2021/11/where-the-hell-is-taylor-swifts-scarf.html |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |access-date=February 3, 2022 |website=The Cut}}{{Cite news |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=November 12, 2021 |title=The story behind Taylor Swift's 10-minute version of 'All Too Well', the song making fans lose their minds |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/11/12/taylor-swift-all-too-well-ten-minutes/ |access-date=March 2, 2023 |archive-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129193749/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/11/12/taylor-swift-all-too-well-ten-minutes/ |url-status=live }}
Swift is known for her album rollouts and promotional concepts, often referred to as "eras".{{Cite web |last=Curto |first=Justin |date=December 22, 2020 |title=Did 2020 Kill the Long, Fancy Pop-Album Rollout for Good? |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/12/taylor-swift-evermore-folklore-surprise-explained.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223023032/https://www.vulture.com/2020/12/taylor-swift-evermore-folklore-surprise-explained.html |archive-date=December 23, 2020 |access-date=December 27, 2020 |website=Vulture}}{{Cite news |last=Gambles |first=Sarah |date=July 23, 2023 |title=The ubiquitous power of Taylor Swift |newspaper=Deseret News |url=https://www.deseret.com/2023/7/22/23579559/taylor-swift-eras-tour-taking-over-america-summer |access-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723032924/https://www.deseret.com/2023/7/22/23579559/taylor-swift-eras-tour-taking-over-america-summer |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Friedman |first=Vanessa |date=April 24, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift and the Sparkling Trap of Constant Reinvention |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/24/style/taylor-swift-eras-tour-looks.html |access-date=June 20, 2023 |archive-date=June 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620195334/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/24/style/taylor-swift-eras-tour-looks.html |url-status=live }} Each era is characterized by an aesthetic idea, color palette, mood, and a fashion style.{{Cite magazine |date=December 13, 2017 |title=Glittery Guitars to a New 'Reputation': The Many Eras Taylor Swift |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-eras-looks-albums-reputation-8070450/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201020039/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-eras-looks-albums-reputation-8070450/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Lakritz |first=Talia |title=Taylor Swift embarks on her Eras Tour this spring. Here's a guide to every era of her groundbreaking career. |url=https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-eras-tour-guide-to-every-album-era-2022-12 |access-date=December 15, 2022 |publisher=Insider Inc. |archive-date=July 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713134435/https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-eras-tour-guide-to-every-album-era-2022-12 |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Why Taylor Swift's Eras Road Trip Feels Like the Career-Capping Beatles Tour That Never Happened |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/taylor-swift-eras-tour-career-capping-sofi-stadium-1235693870/ |magazine=Variety |access-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811033512/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/taylor-swift-eras-tour-career-capping-sofi-stadium-1235693870/ |url-status=live }} As such, Swift has reinvented her image and style throughout her career, which Ashley Lutz of Fortune felt aided in broadening her fanbase. Today senior editor Elena Nicolaou reported on how Swifties, who are mostly millennials, have incorporated Swiftie culture into their weddings and other events.{{Cite web |last=Nicolau |first=Elena |date=November 29, 2022 |title=How Taylor Swift is transforming millennial weddings |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/taylor-swift-wedding-theme-trend-rcna57270 |access-date=November 30, 2022 |website=Today |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418234504/https://www.today.com/popculture/taylor-swift-wedding-theme-trend-rcna57270 |url-status=live }}
{{Blockquote
|text=Her use of symbols and imagery has only grown over time, to the point that if you look deep enough into Swift World, her fans seem as if they are practically speaking another language with abbreviations, coded catchphrases and references that only they understand.
|author=Emily Yahr
|source=The Washington Post (2022)
}}
= Sociological characteristics =
File:Friendship Bracelets.jpgs at the Eras Tour (2023–2024), inspired by the song "You're on Your Own, Kid". The number 13, as Swift's favorite and lucky number, is often referenced by the fans as well.]]
Swifties have been described as a loyal fanbase with high levels of participation and creativity;{{Cite web |last=Pattison |first=Kate |date=September 21, 2023 |title=How did Taylor Swift get so popular? She never goes out of style |url=https://theconversation.com/how-did-taylor-swift-get-so-popular-she-never-goes-out-of-style-213871 |access-date=September 22, 2023 |website=The Conversation |archive-date=September 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921201552/https://theconversation.com/how-did-taylor-swift-get-so-popular-she-never-goes-out-of-style-213871 |url-status=live }} devoted fans in overseas countries such as China translate her lyrics and coordinate large-scale Swift-related events. Their positive reception of Reputation, which was released after her 2016 controversy, demonstrated their commitment to her, irrespective of a tonal shift in her artistry and public perception.{{Cite web |last=Byelousouva |first=Anastasia |date=May 13, 2020 |title=Staying Fearless: A Text Analysis of Vulnerability & Connection Through Taylor Swift's Artistry |url=https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstream/handle/2152/84261/byelousovaanastasiya_Staying_Fearless_2020_Redacted.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y |pages=56–57 |agency=University of Texas at Austin |access-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-date=May 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506223532/https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstream/handle/2152/84261/byelousovaanastasiya_Staying_Fearless_2020_Redacted.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y |url-status=live }} Billboard wrote the unprecedented success of Swift's re-recorded albums was further evidence of their loyalty.{{Cite magazine |last=Iasimone |first=Ashley |date=November 13, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Breaks Spotify Single-Day Streaming Records With 'Red (Taylor's Version)' |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version-spotify-streaming-record-single-day/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505045134/https://www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version-spotify-streaming-record-single-day/ |url-status=live }} According to Willman, the re-records' success inspired other artists to "weaponize fans in their business disputes". Author Amanda Petrusich described Swifties' allegiance as both "mighty and frightening".{{Cite magazine |last=Petrusich |first=Amanda |date=June 6, 2023 |title=The Startling Intimacy of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/06/19/taylor-swift-eras-tour-review |magazine=The New Yorker |access-date=June 12, 2023 |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804061915/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/06/19/taylor-swift-eras-tour-review |url-status=live }} The Guardian critic Rachel Aroesti wrote, "You can't argue with her fanbase, immaculately devout and mind-bogglingly populous."{{Cite news |last=Aroesti |first=Rachel |date=October 27, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift: 1989 (Taylor's Version) review – subtle bonus tracks add new depths to a classic |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/oct/27/taylor-swift-1989-taylors-version-review-republic |access-date=October 27, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=October 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027132923/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/oct/27/taylor-swift-1989-taylors-version-review-republic |url-status=live }} Swifties are a "force"—"a large and powerful group", according to the music professor Paula Harper from the University of Chicago.{{Cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Jordan-Marie |last2=Intangliata |first2=Christopher |last3=Kelly |first3=Mary Louise |date=April 19, 2024 |title=What Taylor Swift's cultural impact looks like to fans |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/04/19/1245972840/what-taylor-swifts-cultural-impact-looks-like-to-fans |access-date=June 8, 2024 |website=NPR |archive-date=June 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608111119/https://www.npr.org/2024/04/19/1245972840/what-taylor-swifts-cultural-impact-looks-like-to-fans |url-status=live }}
File:Taylor Swift fan collection.jpg
The consumerist phenomenon of participating in or purchasing anything related to Swift has been termed "the Taylor Swift effect" by publications.{{Cite news |last=Cain |first=Sian |date=May 10, 2023 |title=The Taylor Swift effect: why a mystery book is rocketing up US charts – despite no one knowing anything about it |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/may/10/rumours-of-a-taylor-swift-memoir-pushes-mysterious-untitled-us-book-up-charts |access-date=May 10, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514094724/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/may/10/rumours-of-a-taylor-swift-memoir-pushes-mysterious-untitled-us-book-up-charts |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |date=September 29, 2023 |title=The Taylor Swift Effect Is Very Real and It's Now Taking the Sports World by Storm |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-impact-sports-nfl-ticket-sales-chiefs-game-viewership-1235604028/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929013639/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-impact-sports-nfl-ticket-sales-chiefs-game-viewership-1235604028/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/style/fashion/taylor-swift-sells-out-clothes-brands-2dfb3652 |title=No One Can Sell Out $695 Shorts Like Taylor Swift |last=Florsheim |first=Lane |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=December 4, 2023 |access-date=December 5, 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=December 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205000521/https://www.wsj.com/style/fashion/taylor-swift-sells-out-clothes-brands-2dfb3652 |url-status=live }} To business scientists Brendan Canavan and Claire McCamley, the relationship between Swift and Swifties represents post-postmodern consumerism.{{sfn|Canavan|McCamley|2020|page=222–230}} Sociologist Brian Donovan opined, "it is easy to dismiss the frenzy surrounding Swift as mindless hero worship. Yet, the Swifties have shown the power of fandom to create social bonds that transcend consumerism."{{Cite news |last=Brian |first=Donovan |date=June 27, 2023 |title=How Taylor Swift's Eras Tour transcended pop music |agency=MSNBC |url=https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/taylor-swift-eras-tour-tickets-swifties-power-rcna91491 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702195031/https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/taylor-swift-eras-tour-tickets-swifties-power-rcna91491 |url-status=live }} He praised Swift's ability to "tap into the collector mindset in her fandom".{{Cite news |last1=della Cava |first1=Marco |last2=Ryan |first2=Patrick |date=August 31, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift is 'in a class of her own right now,' as Eras tour gives way to Eras movie |newspaper=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/08/31/taylor-swift-eras-tour-movie-amc/70728053007/ |access-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901023718/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/08/31/taylor-swift-eras-tour-movie-amc/70728053007/ |url-status=live }} Arthur opined, "People like to frame Swifties as an extreme case, but it sort of functions the same way as in sports." Claire Cohen opined in Evening Standard that there is an underlying misogyny in the way Swifties are portrayed by the media, often male authors, as "some Victorian hysteria; irrational and shallow". Cohen stated that "liking her music is looked down on by those who consider themselves arbiters of what's culturally 'good enough', in the same way as romantic literature by women is written-off as mere 'chick lit'."{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Claire |date=July 1, 2024 |title=If unmarried and childless Taylor Swift is a bad role model, then so is Harry Styles |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/celebrity/taylor-swift-bad-role-model-newsweek-unmarried-childless-b1167957.html |access-date=July 2, 2024 |newspaper=Evening Standard |archive-date=July 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702014654/https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/celebrity/taylor-swift-bad-role-model-newsweek-unmarried-childless-b1167957.html |url-status=live }}
- {{Cite news |date=May 26, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift mania explained |agency=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/video/taylor-swift-mania-explained/ |access-date=May 29, 2023 |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529012835/https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/video/taylor-swift-mania-explained/ |url-status=live }}
- {{Cite news |last=O'Reagan |first=Ellen |date=July 14, 2023 |title=Swiftflation: star's pulling power likely to push up prices |newspaper=The Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/07/14/swiftflation-stars-pulling-power-likely-to-push-up-prices/ |access-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724133736/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/07/14/swiftflation-stars-pulling-power-likely-to-push-up-prices/ |url-status=live }} has been considered the 21st-century equivalent to Beatlemania by journalists such as Jon Bream of Star Tribune, who said "Swift has achieved a once unthinkable monoculture, a zeitgeistian redux of Beatlemania".{{Cite news |last=McMarlin |first=Shirley |date=June 13, 2023 |title=How popular is Taylor Swift? It's the 2023 version of Beatlemania |newspaper=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |url=https://triblive.com/aande/music/theres-something-about-taylor-swift-fans-explain-singers-mass-appeal/ |access-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617131629/https://triblive.com/aande/music/theres-something-about-taylor-swift-fans-explain-singers-mass-appeal/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Bream |first=Jon |date=June 24, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift delivers the most fan-fulfilling concert of all time in Minneapolis |newspaper=Star Tribune |url=https://www.startribune.com/taylor-swift-eras-tour-concert-review-minneapolis-us-bank-stadium/600285014/ |access-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624080445/https://www.startribune.com/taylor-swift-eras-tour-concert-review-minneapolis-us-bank-stadium/600285014/ |url-status=live }} Shows and television programs featuring Swift often experience viewership peaks due to Swifties; Super Bowl LVIII experienced higher viewership due to Swift's relationship with Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce.{{Cite magazine |last=Roeloffs |first=Mary Whitfill |title=Swifties Take NFL: Ratings Soared For Chiefs Game As Taylor Swift Cheered On Travis Kelce |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2023/09/26/swifties-take-nfl-ratings-soared-for-chiefs-game-as-taylor-swift-cheered-on-travis-kelce/ |access-date=September 28, 2023 |magazine=Forbes |archive-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928032952/https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2023/09/26/swifties-take-nfl-ratings-soared-for-chiefs-game-as-taylor-swift-cheered-on-travis-kelce/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=August 31, 2022 |title=Producers of 2022 VMAs on Why They Think the Ratings Ticked Up This Year: 'All the Stars Aligned' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/producers-2022-vmas-interviewed-post-show-1235133326/ |access-date=September 28, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=August 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831093548/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/producers-2022-vmas-interviewed-post-show-1235133326/ |url-status=live }} Apart from music artists who have cited Swift as an influence, such as Olivia Rodrigo, Halsey and Camila Cabello, various other celebrities have described themselves as Swifties.{{Cite web |first1=Brandy |last1=Robidoux |first2=Amanda |last2=Curran |first3=Adrianne |last3=Reece |date=March 20, 2023 |title=These 16 Celebrities Are Self-Proclaimed Taylor Swift Fans |url=https://www.elitedaily.com/entertainment/celebrities-who-are-self-proclaimed-swifties |access-date=September 30, 2023 |website=Elite Daily |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013042805/https://www.elitedaily.com/entertainment/celebrities-who-are-self-proclaimed-swifties |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=August 25, 2023 |title=Do You Know About These Celebrities Who Are Hardcore Swifties? |url=https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/know-celebrities-hardcore-swifties-000032838.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |agency=Yahoo! News |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013042804/https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/know-celebrities-hardcore-swifties-000032838.html |url-status=live }}
Industrial impact
{{See also|Cultural impact of Taylor Swift}}
File:Taylor_Sheesh.jpg, known for impersonating Swift, rose to fame due to Swifties.{{Cite magazine |last=Mier |first=Tomás |date=May 23, 2023 |title=Filipino Taylor Swift Stans Packed a Mall to See an Eras Tour Drag Show |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-philippines-drag-show-eras-tour-1234740131/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622001623/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-philippines-drag-show-eras-tour-1234740131/ |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |access-date=June 22, 2023}}]]
Swifties have been widely covered for their support for Swift in terms of her commercial success. Swift is known for her large CD and vinyl sales despite the 21st-century music scene having shifted to a largely digital industry.{{Cite journal |last=Arnold |first=Gina |date=January 2, 2021 |title=I Don't Give a Damn About Your Bad Reputation: Taylor Swift, Beyoncé Knowles, and Performance |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07494467.2021.1945224 |journal=Contemporary Music Review |volume=40 |issue=1 |pages=27–40 |doi=10.1080/07494467.2021.1945224 |s2cid=238241113 |issn=0749-4467 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926073406/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07494467.2021.1945224 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }} From 2014 to 2015, Swift contested music streaming services Spotify and Apple Music to regulate their policies to protect artists' integrity.{{Cite news |last=Sisario |first=Ben |date=June 21, 2015 |title=Taylor Swift Criticism Spurs Apple to Change Royalties Policy |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/22/business/media/taylor-swift-criticizes-apples-terms-for-streaming-music-service.html |access-date=May 6, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506145433/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/22/business/media/taylor-swift-criticizes-apples-terms-for-streaming-music-service.html |url-status=live }} She announced that 1989, her first-ever pop music album, would not release on Spotify and Apple Music, protesting the platform's "minuscule" payments to musicians.{{Cite magazine |last=Linshi |first=Jack |date=November 3, 2014 |title=Here's Why Taylor Swift Pulled Her Music From Spotify |url=https://time.com/3554468/why-taylor-swift-spotify/ |magazine=Time |access-date=May 6, 2023 |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120150946/https://time.com/3554468/why-taylor-swift-spotify/ |url-status=live }} Some journalists, such as Nilay Patel of Vox, criticized Swift's beliefs; Patel said that the Internet sabotaged the album format and claimed that most fans would not shop for a Swift CD anymore.{{Cite web |last=Patel |first=Nilay |date=July 7, 2014 |title=Taylor Swift doesn't understand supply and demand |url=https://www.vox.com/2014/7/7/5878603/taylor-swift-doesnt-understand-supply-and-demand |access-date=May 10, 2023 |website=Vox |archive-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515232913/https://www.vox.com/2014/7/7/5878603/taylor-swift-doesnt-understand-supply-and-demand |url-status=live }} Many industry personnel felt that Swift's departure from country music and streaming platforms would impact the album's sales.{{cite news |last=Sisario |first=Ben |date=November 5, 2014 |title=Sales of Taylor Swift's 1989 Intensify Streaming Debate |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/06/arts/music/sales-of-taylor-swifts-1989-intensify-streaming-debate.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=February 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111032635/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/23/business/media/taylor-swifts-1989-carries-high-hopes-but-no-country-music.html |archive-date=November 11, 2014}} Publications predicted 1989 to not sell over one million copies in its first week like her previous albums Speak Now (2010) and Red (2012) did.{{Cite news |last=Mansfield |first=Brian |author-link=Brian Mansfield |date=October 23, 2014 |title=Officially Pop, Taylor Swift Embraces Being Unafraid |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/10/23/taylor-swift-embraces-being-unafraid-with-1989/17756399/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |newspaper=USA Today |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622045511/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/10/23/taylor-swift-embraces-being-unafraid-with-1989/17756399/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last=Knopper |first=Steve |date=October 21, 2014 |title=Can Taylor Swift's 1989 Save Ailing Music Industry? |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/can-taylor-swifts-1989-save-ailing-music-industry-170217/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401054337/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/can-taylor-swifts-1989-save-ailing-music-industry-170217/ |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |access-date=February 27, 2019 |url-access=limited}} However, 1989 was an unprecedented success for Swift despite the lack of streaming support, widely purchased by fans as CDs from Target;{{Cite web |last=Grady |first=Constance |date=June 9, 2017 |title=Taylor Swift puts all her music back on streaming, continues to be a PR genius |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/6/9/15766576/taylor-swift-spotify-streaming-katy-perry |access-date=May 6, 2023 |website=Vox |archive-date=May 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506145433/https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/6/9/15766576/taylor-swift-spotify-streaming-katy-perry |url-status=live }} the album sold 1.28 million copies in its opening week. In the 2020s, Swifties have also been credited with being one of the factors behind the vinyl revival.{{cite web |last=Young |first=Alex |date=January 20, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift, the indisputable Queen of Vinyl, named 2022 Record Store Day Ambassador |url=https://consequence.net/2022/01/taylor-swift-2022-record-store-day-ambassador/ |access-date=March 6, 2022 |website=Consequence |archive-date=November 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119160417/https://consequence.net/2022/01/taylor-swift-2022-record-store-day-ambassador/ |url-status=live }} Swift's album LP variants have been sold exclusively at small businesses, driving their profits.{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=January 20, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift Tapped as First Record Store Day Global Ambassador |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-2022-record-store-day-global-ambassador-1235020879/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 20, 2022 |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525020228/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-2022-record-store-day-global-ambassador-1235020879/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Golsen |first=Tyler |date=January 20, 2022 |title=Why Taylor Swift is the perfect ambassador for Record Store Day |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/taylor-swift-perfect-ambassador-record-store-day/ |access-date=January 21, 2022 |website=Far Out Magazine |archive-date=April 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422073606/https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/taylor-swift-perfect-ambassador-record-store-day/ |url-status=live }}
Swift's fans increased the publicity surrounding her 2019 masters dispute with Big Machine and American businessman Scooter Braun and drove the success of her re-recording efforts.{{Cite magazine |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=April 20, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift's 'Fearless (Taylor's Version)' Debuts Huge: What It Means for Replicating Oldies, Weaponizing Fans |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-fearless-lessons-1234955475/ |url-status=live |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421003048/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/taylor-swift-fearless-lessons-1234955475/ |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |access-date=May 1, 2021}}{{Cite news |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift fans share tips on how to make old 'Fearless' album disappear |newspaper=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/taylor-swift-fearless-fans-b1829051.html |url-status=live |access-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007032152/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/taylor-swift-fearless-fans-b1829051.html |archive-date=October 7, 2021}}{{Cite web |last=Kornhaber |first=Spencer |date=November 18, 2019 |title=Taylor Swift Is Waging Reputational Warfare |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/11/taylor-swift-vs-scooter-braun-reputation-warfare/602197/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509073353/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/11/taylor-swift-vs-scooter-braun-reputation-warfare/602197/ |archive-date=May 9, 2022 |access-date=May 9, 2022 |website=The Atlantic}} An online petition launched by a fan on Change.org, calling Braun and Borchetta "to stop holding Swift's art hostage", garnered 35,000 plaintiffs in its first three hours. Michael Jones, a managing director of Change.org, described the petition as "one the fastest-growing petitions on the platform this month".{{Cite web |last=Brandle |first=Lars |date=November 14, 2019 |title=Taylor Swift Fans Launch Online Petition Against Scooter Braun, Scott Borchetta |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/taylor-swift-fans-launch-online-petition-scooter-braun-scott-borchetta-1255045/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510151048/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/taylor-swift-fans-launch-online-petition-scooter-braun-scott-borchetta-1255045/ |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |access-date=May 10, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} Braun, however, claimed that Swift "weaponized" her fanbase by making the dispute public.{{Cite magazine |last=Bowenbank |first=Starr |date=April 29, 2022 |title=Scooter Braun Talks Taylor Swift Re-Recording Music, Says He Disagrees With Artists 'Weaponizing a Fanbase' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/scooter-braun-taylor-swift-masters-weaponizing-fanbase-1235064853/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509073353/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/scooter-braun-taylor-swift-masters-weaponizing-fanbase-1235064853/ |archive-date=May 9, 2022 |access-date=May 9, 2022}} Swifties also discovered that the Carlyle Group, a partner of Braun in the dispute, supplies weapons to the civil war in Yemen, which was confirmed by publications such as The New York Times.{{Cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Kate |last2=Coscarelli |first2=Joe |last3=Sisario |first3=Ben |date=November 24, 2019 |title=How Taylor Swift Dragged Private Equity into Her Fight Over Music Rights |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/24/business/taylor-swift-carlyle-scooter-braun.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210134302/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/24/business/taylor-swift-carlyle-scooter-braun.html |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite web |date=November 15, 2019 |title=Taylor Swift sics fans on Scooter Braun, The Carlyle Group |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-swifties-have-been-activated-and-theyre-going-afte-1839876702/amp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210134249/https://www.avclub.com/the-swifties-have-been-activated-and-theyre-going-afte-1839876702/amp |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |access-date=December 10, 2021 |website=The A. V. Club}}{{cite news |last=Jagannathan |first=Meera |title=Taylor Swift is squaring off with private-equity giant Carlyle Group – here's how the combatants stack up |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/as-taylor-swift-goes-up-against-private-equity-giant-carlyle-group-heres-how-the-two-stack-up-2019-11-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210134302/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/as-taylor-swift-goes-up-against-private-equity-giant-carlyle-group-heres-how-the-two-stack-up-2019-11-15 |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |access-date=December 10, 2021 |website=MarketWatch}}
Swift's works, including concert tours such as the Eras Tour, are known to stimulate surrounding economies.{{Cite web |last=Psyllou |first=Maria |date=August 18, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift's Eras tour: A harmonious overture of the trickle-down effect on local economies |url=https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2023/taylor-swifts-eras-tour-a-harmonious-overture-of-the-trickle-down-effect-on-local-economies |access-date=August 19, 2023 |publisher=University of Birmingham |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819182518/https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2023/taylor-swifts-eras-tour-a-harmonious-overture-of-the-trickle-down-effect-on-local-economies |url-status=live }} The economic impact—driven largely by Swifties and attributed to the "booming" travel, lodging, cosmetic, fashion, and food businesses{{Cite web |last=Pandey |first=Erica |date=May 12, 2023 |title=Inside the booming Taylor Swift economy |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/05/12/taylor-swift-economy-eras-tour? |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Axios |archive-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515093102/https://www.axios.com/2023/05/12/taylor-swift-economy-eras-tour |url-status=live }}—boosts tourism revenues of cities by large margins.{{Cite web |last=Kaplan |first=Juliana |title=Welcome to Swift City: When Taylor Swift comes to town, businesses build new bars, prepare thousands of cookies, and welcome over 150,000 Swifties |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/taylor-swift-starts-eras-tour-glendale-arizona-swift-city-2023-3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412152127/https://www.businessinsider.com/taylor-swift-starts-eras-tour-glendale-arizona-swift-city-2023-3 |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |access-date=April 12, 2023 |website=Business Insider}}{{Cite magazine |last=Murray |first=Conor |title=Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour' Has Mayors Competing For Her Attention—Here's What They've Given Her So Far |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/04/14/taylor-swifts-eras-tour-has-mayors-competing-for-her-attention-heres-what-theyve-given-her-so-far/ |url-status=live |magazine=Forbes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416070009/https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/04/14/taylor-swifts-eras-tour-has-mayors-competing-for-her-attention-heres-what-theyve-given-her-so-far/ |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |access-date=April 16, 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Jeffrey |first=Jeff |date=May 3, 2023 |title=How Taylor Swift's Eras Tour boosted Houston's hotels |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2023/05/03/taylor-swift-eras-tour-houston-hotels.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504214502/https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2023/05/03/taylor-swift-eras-tour-houston-hotels.html |archive-date=May 4, 2023 |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=Houston Business Journal}} The Los Angeles Times described Swifties as an economic microcosm.{{Cite news |last=Savaira |first=Augusta |date=November 23, 2022 |title=Welcome to 'Swiftonomics': What Taylor Swift reveals about the U.S. economy |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-11-23/what-taylor-swift-reveals-about-us-economy |access-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129140842/https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-11-23/what-taylor-swift-reveals-about-us-economy |url-status=live }} In November 2022, the U.S. pre-sale of the Eras Tour was mishandled by Ticketmaster, receiving widespread public and political scrutiny. Due to "astronomical" fan demand,{{Cite news |last=Pallotta |first=Frank |date=November 16, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift tickets listed for thousands on StubHub after millions flood Ticketmaster |agency=CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/16/media/taylor-swift-tickets-resale-market/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116181919/https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/16/media/taylor-swift-tickets-resale-market/index.html |archive-date=November 16, 2022}} the Ticketmaster website crashed but 2.4 million tickets had been sold, breaking the record for the most concert tickets sold by an artist in a single day. Ticketmaster attributed the crash to "historically unprecedented" site traffic.{{Cite magazine |last=Jones |first=C. T. |date=November 15, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift Tickets Are On Sale. Fans Say It's Their Hunger Games |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/taylor-swift-fans-battle-ticketmaster-presale-1234630928/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207190613/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/taylor-swift-fans-battle-ticketmaster-presale-1234630928/ |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |access-date=November 16, 2022}}{{Cite magazine |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=November 17, 2022 |title=Ticketmaster Cancels Taylor Swift Tour's Public Tickets Sale Due to 'High Demand' and 'Insufficient Inventory' |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/ticketmaster-cancels-taylor-swift-public-ticket-sales-eras-tour-1235435965/ |url-status=live |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123043830/https://variety.com/2022/music/news/ticketmaster-cancels-taylor-swift-public-ticket-sales-eras-tour-1235435965/ |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |access-date=November 20, 2022}} Fans and consumer groups accused Ticketmaster of deceit and monopoly.{{Cite news |last=Timsit |first=Annabelle |date=December 14, 2022 |title=Ticketmaster to sell some fans more Taylor Swift tickets after presale fiasco |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/12/14/ticketmaster-taylor-swift-extra-tickets/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216203124/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/12/14/ticketmaster-taylor-swift-extra-tickets/ |archive-date=December 16, 2022}} The intense fan reactions caused several members of U.S. Congress to highlight the merger of Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation Entertainment,{{Cite web |last=DeVille |first=Chris |date=November 16, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift Ticket Debacle: Lawmakers Demand Breakup Of Ticketmaster "Monopoly" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2206351/lawmakers-demand-ticketmaster-be-broken-up-after-taylor-swift-ticketing-crash/news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126000925/https://www.stereogum.com/2206351/lawmakers-demand-ticketmaster-be-broken-up-after-taylor-swift-ticketing-crash/news/ |archive-date=November 26, 2022 |access-date=November 17, 2022 |website=Stereogum}} and the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation into Live Nation–Ticketmaster,{{Cite news |last1=McCabe |first1=David |last2=Sisario |first2=Ben |date=November 18, 2022 |title=Justice Department Said to Investigate Ticketmaster's Parent Company |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/18/technology/live-nation-ticketmaster-investigation-taylor-swift.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209160217/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/18/technology/live-nation-ticketmaster-investigation-taylor-swift.html |archive-date=December 9, 2022}} while several fans sued the companies for intentional deception, fraud, price fixing, and antitrust law violations.{{Cite magazine |last=Daly |first=Rhian |date=February 15, 2023 |title=Live Nation antitrust lawsuit thrown out because buyers waived right to sue |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/live-nation-antitrust-lawsuit-thrown-outbuyers-waived-right-sue-3399212 |url-status=live |magazine=NME |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301191932/https://www.nme.com/news/music/live-nation-antitrust-lawsuit-thrown-outbuyers-waived-right-sue-3399212 |archive-date=March 1, 2023 |access-date=March 1, 2023}} Under pressure from U.S. president Joe Biden, Ticketmaster and other ticketing companies agreed to terminate junk fees.{{Cite news |last=Tucker-Smith |first=Owen |date=June 15, 2023 |title=How Biden and Taylor Swift beat Ticketmaster |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2023-06-15/how-biden-and-taylor-swift-beat-ticketmaster |access-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616001132/https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2023-06-15/how-biden-and-taylor-swift-beat-ticketmaster |url-status=live }} Entertainment Weekly and The A.V. Club listed "Swifties vs. Ticketmaster" as one of the biggest cultural news stories of 2022.{{Cite magazine |date=December 22, 2022 |title=The biggest pop culture moments of 2022 |url=https://ew.com/celebrity/biggest-pop-culture-moments-of-2022/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224064245/https://ew.com/celebrity/biggest-pop-culture-moments-of-2022/ |archive-date=December 24, 2022 |access-date=December 24, 2022}}{{Cite web |date=December 29, 2022 |title=2022's biggest pop culture news stories |url=https://www.avclub.com/2022s-biggest-pop-culture-news-stories-1849931613 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230060815/https://www.avclub.com/2022s-biggest-pop-culture-news-stories-1849931613 |archive-date=December 30, 2022 |access-date=December 30, 2022 |website=The A.V. Club}} CNN journalist Allison Morrow wrote in an article titled "One Nation, Under Swift" that Swift's fans united the parties against Ticketmaster in a way "the Founding Fathers failed to anticipate".{{Cite news |last=Morrow |first=Allison |date=January 25, 2023 |title=One nation, under Swift |agency=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/24/business/nightcap-taylor-swift-ticketmaster-live-nation/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127041114/https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/24/business/nightcap-taylor-swift-ticketmaster-live-nation/index.html |archive-date=January 27, 2023}}File:Taylor Swift cosplay.jpg and the "22" music video]]Noticing the growing trend of Swift-themed dance parties in the world, industry commentators found that Swift's cultural position as a staple in the 21st-century music landscape allowed nightclubs to profit from her by hosting specialized events for fans.{{Cite web |last=Jennings |first=Rebecca |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Staring down 30 at the Taylor Swift dance party |url=https://www.vox.com/the-goods/23149181/taylor-swift-dance-party |access-date=November 28, 2022 |website=Vox |archive-date=November 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128133819/https://www.vox.com/the-goods/23149181/taylor-swift-dance-party |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Bensadoun |first=Emerald |date=November 26, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift dance parties are the benevolent alternative to clubbing you never knew you needed |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-taylor-swift-dance-parties-midnights/ |access-date=November 28, 2022 |archive-date=November 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128133819/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-taylor-swift-dance-parties-midnights/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Mahdawi |first=Arwa |date=July 26, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift rules the airwaves! But that's bad news for music |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jul/26/taylor-swift-rules-the-airwaves-but-thats-bad-news-for-music |access-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726101235/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jul/26/taylor-swift-rules-the-airwaves-but-thats-bad-news-for-music |url-status=live }} One such party is "Swiftogeddon", which began as a one-off Swiftie event in London and grew into a U.K.-wide club-night tour that sells out every weekend.{{Cite news |last=Solomon |first=Kate |date=August 9, 2023 |title='I love being part of a collective female experience': inside the all-Taylor Swift club night sweeping the UK |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/aug/09/female-experience-inside-taylor-swift-club-night-sweeping-the-uk |access-date=August 13, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813033501/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/aug/09/female-experience-inside-taylor-swift-club-night-sweeping-the-uk |url-status=live }} American reality television programs such as Dancing with the Stars and The Voice hosted special Swift-themed nights in 2023.{{Cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |date=October 4, 2023 |title='Dancing With the Stars' Will Have a Taylor Swift Night This Season |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/dancing-with-the-stars-taylor-swift-theme-night-1235433567/ |access-date=October 5, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=October 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005020448/https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/dancing-with-the-stars-taylor-swift-theme-night-1235433567/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Pointer |first=Flisadam |date=December 9, 2023 |title='The Voice' Is Ready To Pay Homage To Taylor Swift With A Special Night Dedicated To Her Chart-Topping Songs |url=https://uproxx.com/pop/the-voice-taylor-swift-night-details/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=Uproxx |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211222246/https://uproxx.com/pop/the-voice-taylor-swift-night-details/ |url-status=live }} Swiftie trends have also inspired various brands. The A.V. Club stated that "usually, pop stars are products and fandom is the consumer", but Swifties are a product themselves. For instance, the phrase "seemingly ranch" became viral after a fan account on Twitter used it to caption a photo of Swift's snacks at a National Football League (NFL) game, spawning a string of memes and causing food companies like Heinz, McDonald's, KFC, Hidden Valley and Primal Kitchen to pick it up for their products and marketing.{{Cite news |last=Carr |first=Mary Kate |date=September 28, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift and the "ketchup and seemingly ranch" phenomenon |newspaper=The A.V. Club |url=https://www.avclub.com/taylor-swift-ketchup-and-seemingly-ranch-phenomenon-1850882840 |access-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928170236/https://www.avclub.com/taylor-swift-ketchup-and-seemingly-ranch-phenomenon-1850882840 |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Wickman |first=Kase |date=September 28, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Has Ushered In the "Seemingly Ranch" Marketing Bonanza |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2023/09/taylor-swift-has-ushered-in-the-seemingly-ranch-marketing-bonanza-dip-respect |access-date=September 28, 2023 |magazine=Vanity Fair |archive-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928174632/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2023/09/taylor-swift-has-ushered-in-the-seemingly-ranch-marketing-bonanza-dip-respect |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Treisman |first=Rachel |date=September 28, 2023 |title=The journey of 'seemingly ranch,' from meme to top of the Empire State Building |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/09/28/1202386053/taylor-swift-seemingly-ranch-meme |access-date=September 29, 2023 |publisher=NPR |archive-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929013229/https://www.npr.org/2023/09/28/1202386053/taylor-swift-seemingly-ranch-meme |url-status=live }}
Demographics
{{See also|Public image of Taylor Swift#Generational appeal|label 1=Generational appeal of Taylor Swift}}
According to a 2023 survey by Morning Consult, in the U.S., out of a sample size of 356 American adults, 53% of those surveyed said they were fans of Swift, of whom 44% identified as Swifties and 16% as her "avid" fans. Of the fans, 52% were women while 48% were men. Racially, the 74% of the fans were white, 13% were Black, 9% were Asian, and 4% from other races. Politically, 55% of the fans were Democratic, 23% were Republican, and 22% were independent. In terms of generations, 45% are millennials, 23% are baby boomers, 21% are Generation X, and 11% are Generation Z.{{Cite web |last1=Blancaflor |first1=Saleah |last2=Briggs |first2=Ellyn |date=March 14, 2023 |title=The Taylor Swift Fandom Is White, Suburban and Leans Democratic |url=https://morningconsult.com/2023/03/14/taylor-swift-fandom-demographic/ |access-date=May 15, 2023 |agency=Morning Consult |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516002955/https://morningconsult.com/2023/03/14/taylor-swift-fandom-demographic/ |url-status=live }} Journalists have also noted an increase in Swift's boomer and Generation X fans, known as "senior Swifties".{{Cite web |last=Slanksy |first=Paul |date=June 10, 2023 |title=The Rise of the Senior Swiftie |url=https://airmail.news/issues/2023-6-10/rise-of-the-senior-swiftie |access-date=June 12, 2023 |website=Air Mail |archive-date=September 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230911123627/https://airmail.news/issues/2023-6-10/rise-of-the-senior-swiftie |url-status=live }} Black Swifties have claimed that they often face derision from other Black people, who question the racial status of Black Swifties for being fans of a White artist.{{Cite web |last=Newman-Bremang |first=Kathleen |date=November 27, 2024 |title=Black Swifties At The Eras Tour Defend Their Love Of Taylor Swift |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2024/11/11817055/taylor-swift-fans-black-swifties-eras-tour |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241202205151/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2024/11/11817055/taylor-swift-fans-black-swifties-eras-tour |archive-date=December 2, 2024 |access-date=December 2, 2024 |publisher=Refinery29}}
= Political role =
{{Further|Political impact of Taylor Swift}}
Brooke Schultz of the Associated Press called Swifties an influential voter demographic in U.S. politics: "the sheer power and size of Swift's fandom has spurred conversations about economic inequality, merely symbolized by Ticketmaster".{{Cite news |last=Schultz |first=Brooke |date=November 22, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift ticket trouble could drive political engagement |work=Associated Press News |url=https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-business-taylor-swift-cca0dec2b454d564fa52383101725bdc |url-status=live |access-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209070627/https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-business-taylor-swift-cca0dec2b454d564fa52383101725bdc |archive-date=December 9, 2022}} According to a 2023 survey reported by The Times, 53% adult Americans consider themselves "fans" of Swift, ratings that journalist Ellie Austin said Biden and Trump "can only dream of". Austin explained that though Swift herself is left-aligned, some conservatives still "covet" her, making her a deciding factor in the U.S. politics.{{Cite news |last=Austin |first=Ellie |date=April 18, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift: the superstar who bridges America's political divide |newspaper=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/taylor-swift-the-superstar-who-bridges-americas-political-divide-6rzmnnvmg |access-date=May 7, 2023 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=May 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506053901/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/taylor-swift-the-superstar-who-bridges-americas-political-divide-6rzmnnvmg |url-status=live }} In May 2023, Texas approved the law titled "Save Our Swifties", banning the use of bots to bulk-purchase tickets.{{Cite news |last=Garcia |first=Ariana |date=May 23, 2023 |title=Greg Abbott signs 'Save our Swifties' law to ban ticket-sale bots |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |url=https://www.chron.com/politics/article/texas-save-our-swifties-ticket-bill-18113022.php |access-date=May 23, 2023 |archive-date=May 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523170655/https://www.chron.com/politics/article/texas-save-our-swifties-ticket-bill-18113022.php |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Carver |first=Jayme Lozano |date=May 23, 2023 |title=Texas lawmakers ban bots that buy concert tickets after Taylor Swift Eras tour glitch |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/23/texas-concert-bot-law-taylor-swift/ |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=The Texas Tribune |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524094529/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/23/texas-concert-bot-law-taylor-swift/ |url-status=live }} Similar bills were launched in various U.S. states and the U.S. Congress.{{Cite news |last1=Salcedo |first1=Andrea |last2=Mark |first2=Julian |date=June 12, 2023 |title=Angry Taylor Swift fans push lawmakers to take on Ticketmaster |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/06/11/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-ticket-meltdown-bills/ |access-date=June 17, 2023 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=August 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809135742/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/06/11/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-ticket-meltdown-bills/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Knopper |first=Steve |date=June 15, 2023 |title=Hate Ticketmaster? Love Taylor Swift? Politicians Are Backing New Bills to Get Your Vote |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-politics-new-bills-swifties-votes/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616203615/https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-politics-new-bills-swifties-votes/ |url-status=live }} Internationally, presidential candidates such as Gabriel Boric in Chile and Leni Robredo in the Philippines have appealed or marketed themselves to Swifties during their respective election campaigns.{{Cite news |date=December 21, 2021 |title=Chile's new president (Taylor's version): Gabriel Boric is a Swiftie |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-12-21/gabriel-boric-chile-president-elect-taylor-swift |access-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222195932/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-12-21/gabriel-boric-chile-president-elect-taylor-swift |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Singh |first=Surej |date=May 17, 2022 |title=Leni Robredo's fans are campaigning for a meeting with Taylor Swift |url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/leni-robredos-fans-are-campaigning-for-a-meeting-with-taylor-swift-3227013 |magazine=NME |access-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-date=May 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530234308/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/leni-robredos-fans-are-campaigning-for-a-meeting-with-taylor-swift-3227013 |url-status=live }} The Islamic State (ISIS) planned to mass-murder attendees of one of Swift's Eras Tour shows in Vienna, Austria, in a plot that was thwarted by Austrian authorities.{{Cite news |date=August 8, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift scraps Austria concerts after terror attack threat; officials find IS, al-Qaida material at suspect's home |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/world/taylor-swift-scraps-austria-concerts-after-terror-attack-threat-officials-find-is-al-qaida-material-at-suspects-home-11723112462946.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |newspaper=Mint |archive-date=August 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814095259/https://www.livemint.com/news/world/taylor-swift-scraps-austria-concerts-after-terror-attack-threat-officials-find-is-al-qaida-material-at-suspects-home-11723112462946.html |url-status=live }}
Swifties formed the Swifties For Kamala coalition in 2024 to "help get Democratic candidates elected up and down the ballot", with focus on the campaign of Kamala Harris in the 2024 US presidential election. Though not affiliated with Swift herself, Swifties For Kamala received support from public figures and politicians such as Carole King, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, Ed Markey, Chris Deluzio, Becca Balint, and Anderson Clayton.{{Cite magazine |last=Dailey |first=Hannah |date=August 26, 2024 |title=Swifties for Kamala Harris Aren't Waiting Around for Taylor Swift's Endorsement to Take Action |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/politics/taylor-swift-fans-kamala-harris-not-waiting-singer-endorsement-1235761235/ |access-date=August 27, 2024 |magazine=Billboard}}{{Cite magazine |last=Seo |first=Rachel |date=August 27, 2024 |title=Carole King to Speak at 'Swifties for Kamala' Kickoff Call |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/carole-king-swifties-for-kamala-call-1236119777/ |access-date=August 27, 2024 |magazine=Variety |archive-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827184521/https://variety.com/2024/music/news/carole-king-swifties-for-kamala-call-1236119777/ |url-status=live }} After Harris replaced Biden as the Democratic candidate for the 2024 election, Swifties For Kamala amassed nearly 65,000 followers on TikTok alone by July and raised over US$138,000 in a virtual rally in August.{{Cite web |last1=Culture |first1=Billie Schwab Dunn Pop |last2=Reporter |first2=Entertainment |date=July 25, 2024 |title='Swifties for Harris' surges as Taylor Swift fans rush to back Kamala |url=https://www.newsweek.com/swifties-harris-surges-taylor-swift-fans-rush-back-kamala-1930131 |access-date=August 27, 2024 |magazine=Newsweek |archive-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827185426/https://www.newsweek.com/swifties-harris-surges-taylor-swift-fans-rush-back-kamala-1930131 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Horton |first=Adrian |date=August 28, 2024 |title=Swifties for Kamala rally raises nearly $140,000 for Harris |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/aug/28/taylor-swift-fans-kamala-harris-fundraiser |access-date=August 29, 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}} As of August 2024, the group had 72,000 followers on Twitter and nearly 50,000 on Instagram.{{Cite news |date=August 29, 2024 |title=Swifties harness their power for Kamala Harris |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2569235/world |access-date=August 29, 2024 |newspaper=Arab News |archive-date=August 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829171442/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2569235/world |url-status=live }}
Accolades
class="wikitable"
|+List of awards and nominations received by Swifties !Organization !Year !Award !Result !Ref. |
Capricho Awards de Gato Nacional
|2020 |Fandom of the Year |{{Nom}} |
---|
rowspan="10" |iHeartRadio Music Awards
|2014 | rowspan="10" |Best Fan Army |{{Nom}} |
2015
|{{Nom}} |
2016
|{{Nom}} |
2018
|{{Nom}} |
2019
|{{Nom}} |{{cite magazine |last=Sippell |first=Margeaux |date=February 27, 2019 |title=Taylor Swift to Be Honored at iHeart Radio Music Awards |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/taylor-swift-to-be-honored-at-iheart-radio-music-awards-1203150486/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227194208/https://variety.com/2019/music/news/taylor-swift-to-be-honored-at-iheart-radio-music-awards-1203150486/ |archive-date=February 27, 2019 |access-date=February 27, 2019 |magazine=Variety}} |
2020
|{{Nom}} |
2021
|{{Nom}} |
2022
|{{Nom}} |
2023
|{{Nom}}
|
2024
|{{Nom}} |
rowspan="8" |MTV Europe Music Awards
|2015 | rowspan="8" |Biggest Fans |{{Nominated}} |
2017
|{{Nominated}} |
2018
|{{Nom}} |
2019
|{{Nom}} |
2020
|{{Nom}} |{{Cite magazine |date=October 6, 2020 |title=Lady Gaga, BTS, Justin Bieber Lead 2020 MTV EMA Nominations |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/mtv-ema-nominations-full-list-lady-gaga-bts-justin-bieber-1234793431/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006212009/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/mtv-ema-nominations-full-list-lady-gaga-bts-justin-bieber-1234793431/ |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |access-date=October 6, 2020 |magazine=Variety}} |
2021
|{{Nom}} |
2022
|{{Nom}} |
2023
|{{Nom}} |
MTV Fandom Awards
| rowspan="2" |2015 |Fandom Army of the Year |{{Nom}} |
Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards
|Aussie/Kiwi's Favourite Fan Army |{{Nom}} |{{cite web |date=February 14, 2013 |title=Nickelodeon Unveils 2013 Kids' Choice Award Nominees |url=https://www.foxtel.com.au/whats-on/foxtel-insider/nickelodeon-unveils-2013-kids-choice-award-nominees-210157.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303160410/http://www.foxtel.com.au/whats-on/foxtel-insider/nickelodeon-unveils-2013-kids-choice-award-nominees-210157.htm |archive-date=March 3, 2013 |access-date=January 25, 2015 |publisher=Foxtel}} |
Nickelodeon Mexico Kids' Choice Awards
|2023 |Master Fandom |{{Nom}} |
Nickelodeon UK Kids' Choice Awards
|2015 |UK Favorite Fan Army |{{Nom}} |
rowspan="2" |O Music Awards
| rowspan="2" |2012 |Fan Army |{{Nom}} |
Most Extreme Fan Outreach
|{{Won}} |
rowspan="2" |Radio Disney Music Awards
|2014 | rowspan="2" |Fiercest Fans |{{Won}} |
2016
|{{Nom}} |
rowspan="3" |Teen Choice Awards
|2014 |Choice Fanatic Fans |{{Nominated}} |
2018
| rowspan="2" |Choice Fandom |{{Nominated}} |
2019
|{{Nom}}
|
Criticism
{{See also|Political impact of Taylor Swift#Sociopolitical scrutiny}}
Swifties have received criticism for certain behaviors. Journalists have denounced the parasocial interactions that some Swifties have with Swift, including excessive interest in Swift's private life.{{Cite news |last=Grisafi |first=Patricia |date=June 6, 2023 |title=Matty Healy exposed the dark side of the Taylor Swift parasocial fantasy |agency=MSNBC |url=https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/taylor-swift-matty-healy-era-fans-need-chill-rcna87987 |access-date=June 7, 2023 |archive-date=June 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607001904/https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/taylor-swift-matty-healy-era-fans-need-chill-rcna87987 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Rascoe |first=Ayesha |date=April 17, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift fans are upset over reports of her breakup. A psychologist explains why |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/04/16/1170293934/taylor-swift-fans-are-upset-over-reports-of-her-breakup-a-psychologist-explains- |access-date=June 7, 2023 |publisher=NPR |archive-date=May 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506103836/https://www.npr.org/2023/04/16/1170293934/taylor-swift-fans-are-upset-over-reports-of-her-breakup-a-psychologist-explains- |url-status=live }} Fans have swarmed locations where she is spotted.{{Cite news |last=Carras |first=Christi |date=August 21, 2023 |title=Wedding Crashers (Taylor's Version): Swifties swarm Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley's nuptials |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-08-21/taylor-swift-jack-antonoff-margaret-qualley-wedding-fans |access-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901183706/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-08-21/taylor-swift-jack-antonoff-margaret-qualley-wedding-fans |url-status=live }} Swift herself has spoken about her lack of privacy many times. In Miss Americana, when Swift leaves her Tribeca apartment surrounded by fans and spectators outside her door, she states that she is "highly aware of the fact that [that] is not normal."{{Cite magazine |date=May 23, 2023 |title=Fans Think Taylor Swift's Outfit Is a Message as "Leave Her Alone" Trends on Twitter |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a43974088/taylor-swift-leave-her-alone-outfit-easter-egg/ |access-date=November 14, 2023 |magazine=Cosmopolitan |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114091020/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a43974088/taylor-swift-leave-her-alone-outfit-easter-egg/ |url-status=live }} Vice called the fandom an "equal-parts welcoming yet gate-kept community caught in the throes of idealistic, obsessive celebrity culture".{{Cite magazine |last=Fenwick |first=Julie |date=June 28, 2023 |title=Australia Has No Idea How to Handle the Cult of Taylor Swift |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/australia-has-no-idea-how-to-handle-the-cult-of-taylor-swift/ |access-date=December 15, 2023 |magazine=Vice |archive-date=December 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215185312/https://www.vice.com/en/article/epvpze/australia-has-no-idea-how-to-handle-the-cult-of-taylor-swift |url-status=live }}
Some fans have also been reported to attack, harass, or send death threats online to, and dox other celebrities, journalists, and social media users for various reasons, such as speaking negatively of Swift.{{Cite web |last=Panella |first=Chris |title=Taylor Swift fans sent me death threats, doxxed my family, and accused me of being a pedophile after I criticized her Eras Tour |url=https://www.insider.com/harassment-taylor-swift-fan-base-worse-than-far-right-hate-2023-6 |access-date=September 23, 2023 |publisher=Insider Inc. |archive-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018173058/https://www.insider.com/harassment-taylor-swift-fan-base-worse-than-far-right-hate-2023-6 |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Guy |first=Zoe |date=March 4, 2021 |title=Taylor Swift Fans are Attacking 'Ginny and Georgia' Star Antonia Gentry for the Show's Lame Joke |url=https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a35727569/taylor-swift-fans-ginny-and-georgia-antonia-gentry-sexist-joke/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926105150/https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a35727569/taylor-swift-fans-ginny-and-georgia-antonia-gentry-sexist-joke/ |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |access-date=September 23, 2023 |magazine=Marie Claire}}{{Cite magazine |last=Schwedel |first=Heather |date=November 16, 2021 |title=A Comprehensive Explanation of Why Taylor Swift Fans Seem Ready to Commit Homicide on Jake Gyllenhaal |url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2021/11/taylor-swift-jake-gyllenhaal-all-too-well-relationship-explained.html |magazine=Slate |issn=1091-2339 |access-date=September 23, 2023 |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926105149/https://slate.com/human-interest/2021/11/taylor-swift-jake-gyllenhaal-all-too-well-relationship-explained.html |url-status=live }} Other fandoms have accused Swifties of racism towards African American artists.{{Cite web |last=Mahale |first=Jenna |date=December 1, 2021 |title=The unbearable whiteness of Taylor Swift's fandom |url=https://www.mic.com/identity/taylor-swift-white-fandom |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919023426/https://www.mic.com/identity/taylor-swift-white-fandom |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |access-date=November 30, 2024 |publisher=Mic}}{{Cite web |last=Jennn |first=London |date=November 28, 2024 |title=Beyoncé's Beehive Swarms Racist Taylor Swift Fans Over Top Pop Nod |url=https://allhiphop.com/news/beyonces-beehive-swarms-racist-taylor-swift-fans-over-top-pop-nod/#google_vignette |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130162948/https://allhiphop.com/news/beyonces-beehive-swarms-racist-taylor-swift-fans-over-top-pop-nod/ |archive-date=November 30, 2024 |access-date=November 29, 2024 |publisher=AllHipHop}} Melina Abdullah, a Black Lives Matter activist and chair professor of Pan-African Studies at California State University, opined "Why do I feel like it's slightly racist to be a Taylor Swift fan?", later clarifying "I said feel, not think. Kind of like that feeling I get when there are too many American Flags".{{Cite web |last=McDuffie |first=Candace |date=February 26, 2024 |title=Is This Black Lives Matter Leader Right About a 'Racist' Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce Obsession? |url=https://www.theroot.com/is-this-black-lives-matter-leader-right-about-a-racist-1851286091 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314180205/https://www.theroot.com/is-this-black-lives-matter-leader-right-about-a-racist-1851286091 |archive-date=March 14, 2024 |access-date=December 3, 2024 |magazine=The Root}}
= Gaylor =
{{Main article|Gaylor (theory)}}
Gaylor is a conspiracy theory that claims Swift is secretly gay. A small faction of Swifties, who call themselves "Gaylors", support and promote the theory, believing that Swift hints at her queerness through her music and lifestyle, although she has stated she is "not part of" the LGBTQ community but rather an ally. Some Gaylors specifically ship Swift with Karlie Kloss, Dianna Agron, or both, claiming Swift dated them in the past. Most Swifties criticize Gaylor theories as far-fetched, malicious, and disrespectful to Swift. Some journalists likewise dismiss it as an invasive and baseless conspiracy theory.Sources on Gaylor:
- {{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Rebecca |date=October 28, 2022 |title=The 'Gaylors' are showing us the toxic sides of celebrity culture |url=https://www.michigandaily.com/arts/digital-culture/the-problem-with-the-gaylors/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529182219/https://www.michigandaily.com/arts/digital-culture/the-problem-with-the-gaylors/ |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |access-date=May 29, 2023 |newspaper=The Michigan Daily}}
- {{Cite news |last=Picker |first=Liora |title=Taylor Swift 'Gaylor' theories might entice or entertain, but they also invade |url=https://dailytargum.com//article/2022/11/taylor-swift-gaylor-theories-might-entice-or-entertain-but-they-also-invade |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529182223/https://dailytargum.com/article/2022/11/taylor-swift-gaylor-theories-might-entice-or-entertain-but-they-also-invade |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |access-date=May 29, 2023 |magazine=The Daily Targum}}
- {{Cite magazine |last=Jones |first=C. T. |date=April 4, 2023 |title=Why Some Taylor Swift Stans Are Ganging Up On 'Gaylors': Report |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/taylor-swift-fandom-gaylor-report-exclusive-1234713432/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605054944/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/taylor-swift-fandom-gaylor-report-exclusive-1234713432/ |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |access-date=May 29, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}
- {{Cite web |last=Grady |first=Constance |date=October 19, 2022 |title=Let's go down the rabbit hole of Taylor Swift conspiracy theories |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/23411001/taylor-swift-conspiracy-theories-midnights-karma-is-real-gaylor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528181742/https://www.vox.com/culture/23411001/taylor-swift-conspiracy-theories-midnights-karma-is-real-gaylor |archive-date=May 28, 2023 |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=Vox}}{{Cite web |last1=Lopez |first1=Cristina |last2=Chandra |first2=Avneesh |date=April 12, 2023 |title=Now We Got Bad Blood |url=https://www.graphika.com/reports/now-we-got-bad-blood |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529025045/https://graphika.com/reports/now-we-got-bad-blood |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |access-date=May 29, 2023 |publisher=Graphika}}{{Cite web |last=Sachdeva |first=Maanya |date=January 8, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift fans criticise New York Times over piece speculating about her sexuality |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/new-york-times-taylor-swift-sexuality-b2474903.html |access-date=February 4, 2024 |newspaper=The Independent |archive-date=January 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131234911/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/new-york-times-taylor-swift-sexuality-b2474903.html |url-status=live }}
Gaylors have alleged that a number of songs released by Swift confirm her romantic interest in women and that she was romantically involved with actresses Emma Stone and Cara Delevingne as well. They claimed that Swift's 2023 song "When Emma Falls in Love" is an acknowledgement of her relationship with Stone although Swift and Stone have only referred to each other as close friends in the media. However, the majority of Swifties consider the past relationship between Stone and actor Andrew Garfield as the inspiration for the song.{{Cite news |last=Echarri |first=Miquel |date=July 20, 2023 |title=Civil war between Taylor Swift fans: Gaylors vs Hetlors |url=https://english.elpais.com/culture/2023-07-20/civil-war-between-taylor-swift-fans-gaylors-vs-hetlors.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106173811/https://english.elpais.com/culture/2023-07-20/civil-war-between-taylor-swift-fans-gaylors-vs-hetlors.html |archive-date=January 6, 2024 |access-date=January 6, 2024 |newspaper=El País}}
In the album prologue to 1989 (Taylor's Version), Swift acknowledged that her female friendships have been sexualized like the tabloid media coverage of her male acquaintances.{{Cite news |last=Schillaci |first=Sophie |date=October 27, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Addresses Bisexuality Rumors in '1989 (Taylor's Version)' |url=https://www.etonline.com/taylor-swift-addresses-bisexuality-rumors-in-1989-taylors-version-prologue-213765 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102182936/https://www.etonline.com/taylor-swift-addresses-bisexuality-rumors-in-1989-taylors-version-prologue-213765 |archive-date=November 2, 2023 |access-date=November 16, 2023 |work=Entertainment Tonight}}{{Cite magazine |last=Dailey |first=Hannah |date=October 27, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Reflects on Rumors of Her Sexuality & Defends Her Squad in '1989 (Taylor's Version)' Prologue |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-sexuality-rumors-squad-1989-taylors-version-prologue-1235456748/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028034729/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-sexuality-rumors-squad-1989-taylors-version-prologue-1235456748/ |archive-date=October 28, 2023 |access-date=October 28, 2023 |magazine=Billboard}} A January 2024 opinion article by writer Anna Marks, published in The New York Times, speculated that Swift is a closeted queer person based on Marks' perceptions of Swift's lyrics and aesthetics, drawing criticism from Swifties and other readers. Subsequently, CNN Business reported that Swift's personnel found the article "invasive, untrue and inappropriate".{{Cite news |last=Darcy |first=Oliver |date=January 6, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift's associates dismayed by New York Times piece speculating on her sexuality: 'Invasive, untrue and inappropriate' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/06/business/taylor-swift-new-york-times/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106153104/https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/06/business/taylor-swift-new-york-times/index.html |archive-date=January 6, 2024 |access-date=January 6, 2024 |agency=CNN Business}}{{Cite magazine |last=Jones |first=C. T. |date=October 27, 2023 |title='Gaylors' Respond to '1989 (Taylor's Version)' Intro Line About 'Sexualizing' Friendships |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/1989-taylors-version-introduction-line-gaylor-1234864758/ |access-date=January 31, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=January 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131113119/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/1989-taylors-version-introduction-line-gaylor-1234864758/ |url-status=live }}
Academic study
{{See also|Cultural impact of Taylor Swift#Scholarly interest}}
Swifties have been the subject of journalistic and academic interest, studied for their social capital, consumerist characteristics and interpersonal relationships.{{Cite news |last=Guiterrez |first=Lisa |date=May 24, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift and her fans are such a phenomenon, this KU professor is studying them |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |url=https://www.kansascity.com/article275545416.html |access-date=June 5, 2023 |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601210653/https://www.kansascity.com/article275545416.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite journal |last1=Canavan |first1=Brendan |last2=McCamley |first2=Claire |date=February 1, 2020 |title=The passing of the postmodern in pop? Epochal consumption and marketing from Madonna, through Gaga, to Taylor |journal=Journal of Business Research |volume=107 |pages=222–230 |doi=10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.12.005 |s2cid=158595297 |issn=0148-2963 |doi-access=free }} Their "prolific content creation, digital savvy, organizing capacity, and sometimes vicious online behaviors" are also subjects of study, as per Internet culture researchers Cristina López and Avneesh Chandra.{{Cite web |last1=Lopez |first1=Cristina |last2=Chandra |first2=Avneesh |date=April 12, 2023 |title=Now We Got Bad Blood |url=https://www.graphika.com/reports/now-we-got-bad-blood |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529025045/https://graphika.com/reports/now-we-got-bad-blood |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |access-date=May 29, 2023 |publisher=Graphika}} Donovan distinguished "Taylor Swift fans" from Swifties, opining that the latter are a subculture characterized by collective effervescence, unlike other fanbases. Some linguists termed the Swifties' fan-coded, lyrics-based language a "fanilect". A 2023 network map published by López and Chandra divided Swifties into six distinct factions based on online interactions and topics of discussion. A 2024 qualitative study of Indonesian Swifties claimed that the parasocial interaction with Swift and the interactions between Swifties satiates the fans' "social media gratifications for entertainment, social interactions, and information-seeking." Various universities also host fan clubs dedicated to Swift.{{Cite news |last=Woehrle |first=Hannah |date=November 4, 2022 |title=MSU students form 'Taylor Swift Club,' bonding over shared love for her music |newspaper=The State News |url=https://statenews.com/article/2022/11/msu-students-form-taylor-swift-club-bonding-over-shared-love-for-music?ct=content_open&cv=cbox_latest |access-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013044308/https://statenews.com/article/2022/11/msu-students-form-taylor-swift-club-bonding-over-shared-love-for-music?ct=content_open&cv=cbox_latest |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=May 16, 2022 |title=How one student's pandemic listening kickstarted a Taylor Swift fan club |newspaper=The Peak |url=https://the-peak.ca/2022/05/how-one-students-pandemic-listening-kickstarted-a-taylor-swift-fan-club/ |access-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013042805/https://the-peak.ca/2022/05/how-one-students-pandemic-listening-kickstarted-a-taylor-swift-fan-club/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Marshall |first=Cooper |date=October 20, 2022 |title=OU Taylor Swift Fan Club hosts trivia, song discussions, watch, listening parties, helps 'Swifties' build connections |newspaper=OU Daily |url=https://www.oudaily.com/culture/ou-taylor-swift-fan-club-hosts-trivia-song-discussions-watch-listening-parties-helps-swifties-build/article_b277d4fc-5088-11ed-8cbe-b79823e8396b.html |access-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013042805/https://www.oudaily.com/culture/ou-taylor-swift-fan-club-hosts-trivia-song-discussions-watch-listening-parties-helps-swifties-build/article_b277d4fc-5088-11ed-8cbe-b79823e8396b.html |url-status=live }}
See also
- List of fandom names
- Nannaria swiftae, a millipede species named after Swift by a fan
- Taylor Sheesh, a Filipino drag queen known for impersonating Swift
- Ashley Leechin, a Swift-lookalike internet personality
- Larries, a conspiracy-theory-based internet fandom who also form a small faction of Swifties
- Death of Ana Clara Benevides, a Brazilian Swiftie
- Super Bowl LVIII, dubbed the "Swiftie Bowl" by some due to Swift's high-profile relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce
- Super Bowl LIX, dubbed "Swiftie Bowl II"