Taylor Swift Blames Media for Breakups
Arguably the biggest pop star in the world now, Taylor Swift says she’s done it on her own terms—without resorting to the attention-seeking antics of her co-stars. She’s not making out with other pop stars on stage, twerking, posing nude, or penning explicit lyrics. Swift explains why in the June issue of Glamour UK which she guest edited. “You know, everybody has different priorities as an artist. Every woman has different things that make them feel strong and powerful. For me, I don’t have any need or urge to write about overt sexuality. It just never occurs to me. I appreciate girls who sing about whatever they want, because that’s what they want to sing about.“
Taylor Swift posted a picture of her cat on Instagram. (Photo: Instagram)
While Swift hangs with the cool crowd that includes singer Lorde and model Karlie Kloss, she also still rocks a style that’s more cute than sophisticated. The singer unabashedly posts kitten pics on Instagram, and is known for her surprised “Who me?” expression of humility and girly enthusiasm when she wins an award. She claims she doesn’t know what Tinder is. Swift tells Glamour UK that is all by design—or lack of one. "I just don’t place much priority on looking cool. And I think at 25, I’m finally OK with feeling that. I think there’s this priority on having this persona of being edgy or cool or bored. And those things are all sexy. All those things are chic, when you seem not to care about anything other than yourself. And I just don’t buy into it. I’m really excited by lots of things. I think enthusiasm is the best protection. It can protect you from anything. And I don’t feel bored by any of this, so I don’t strive to look bored by any of this.”
Singer Taylor Swift and model Karlie Kloss on the cover of Vogue Magazine. (Photo: Vogue)
Swift also calls out the media for using her love life as a punch line, and even causing breakups. Swift has opened herself up with very personal lyrics about her relationships igniting a guessing game about which ex each song is about. But Swift admits the constant attention and mockery has gotten to her. “I think the media has sent me a really unfair message over the past couple of years, which is that I’m not allowed to date for excitement, or fun, or new experiences or learning lessons. I’m only allowed to date if it’s for a lasting, multiple-year relationship. Otherwise I’m a, quote, ‘serial dater’. Or, quote, 'boy crazy’. The narrative has been so wrong, every time it was the same. It’s 'Taylor spotted talking to this guy, she’s chasing him.’ They always go to the same fabricated ending that every other tabloid has used in my story, which is, 'She got too clingy’, or 'Taylor has too many emotions, she scared him away’. Which has honestly never been the reason for any of my break-ups. You know what has been the reason? The media. You take something very fragile, like trying to get to know someone, and it feels like walking out into the middle of a gladiator arena with someone you’ve just met.”
Spotted recently holding hands with DJ Calvin Harris, Swift has stepped into the arena again. Yet this time, she seems wiser, more confident, and ready to take on whatever comes her way.
Related:
Young Girls Speak the Truth About Body Image
Rumer Willis on Fame: I Wasn’t Prepared for the Spotlight
At the DVF Awards: Hillary Clinton on Why Women Need to Lead
