Taylor Swift: ‘I Feel Like I’m Less Popular’

In the March 2009 issue of Teen Vogue, Taylor Swift reveals that country music was not popular in her hometown of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania -- and neither was she.

"The kids at school thought it was weird that I liked country -- they'd make fun of me," admits the 19-year-old. "Junior high was actually sort of hard, because I got dumped by this group of popular girls. They didn't think I was cool or pretty enough, so they stopped talking to me." (Not pretty enough? Check out pics of Taylor from her Teen Vogue photo shoot!)

Fortunately, when Swift was in the ninth grade she signed a song-writing deal and moved to Nashville, Tennesee. So did she ever see those mean girls again?

"I actually did!" she exclaims. "I played a hometown show about a year into my career, and they showed up, wearing my t-shirts and asking me to sign their CDS. It was bittersweet because it made me realize that they didn't remember being mean to me and that I needed to forget about it, too. And really, if I hadn't come home from school miserable every day, maybe I wouldn't have beem so motivated to write songs. I should probably be thanking them!"

Taylor's romantic relationships have also inspired her when it comes to penning lyrics. "I'm typically single," she shares. "I"m the girl who -- I call it girl-next-door-itis -- the hot guy is friends with and gets all his relationship advice from but never considers dating."

While you'd think being a celebrity would make it easier for Swift to meet guys, or even make friends for that matter, the "Fearless" singer says that isn't so.

"It's weird -- I thought I'd have so many more friends, but I feel like I'm less popular than I've ever been," she confesses. "It makes me value the people I can trust even more. I still have the same best friend I had all through high school."

To read more of Taylor's interview, visit TeenVogue.com. And don't forget to go behind the scenes at her photo shoot!