Behind Taylor Swift's Drastic Transformation in 'The Man' Music Video
Taylor Swift's "The Man" music video is chock-full of easter eggs, some not-so-subtle digs at Scooter Braun, and one surprise cameo from Sexiest Man Alive Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
But the video for the singer-songwriter's single—hailed by some as a feminist anthem—hinges around the lewd antics of a suit-clad chauvinist with a Trumpian hairdo. His name is "Tyler" Swift, and he parties on yachts, throws temper tantrums at tennis matches, and melts down at work.
Of course, Tyler Swift is actually Taylor Swift (gasp!) disguised in a full-body muscle suit, ten silicon prosthetics, and just a dash of Armani makeup. The dramatic five-hour-long transformation—so chameleonic even die-hard Swifties were left slack jawed post-reveal—is courtesy of legendary special effects wizard Bill Corso.
Corso is known for his incredibly detailed prosthetic work on blockbuster films like Deadpool, Foxcatcher, and Star Wars. He's also been a special effects makeup artist for television shows and music videos. In 2017, he turned Swift into a zombie for "Look What You Made Me Do" to symbolize the start of her "Reputation" era. When she called him up this year with a very different request—to help call out toxic masculinity and societal double standards via video—he was intrigued.
"She wanted me to turn her into a man," Corso tells ELLE.com. "My response? Enthusiastic to say the least!"
Corso got to work sketching and sculpting alongside his special effects design team at Andy Clements creative character engineering. They presented Swift with two potential ideas. Both were alpha-male types, Corso says, but one was toned to accompany a blonde wig and the other was meant to match a brunette. He says Swift wanted something "as far removed from [her]" as possible, so the darker-haired prototype won out in the end.
The goal with prosthetics, Corso says, is to create a design that's "as realistic as possible to turn the character into a living, breathing person." While some fans believe Tyler bears a striking resemblance to Swift's ex-boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal, Corso says he's not based on any one particular person. "I think she feels like someone different in every shot of the video," Corso says. "So, I totally understand how people would draw conclusions."
All ten prosthetic pieces—a full neck, cheeks, chin, upper and lower lips, forehead, ear lobes, nose, and two hand appliances with separate nails for each finger—were crafted in just two and a half weeks, which Corso calls "crazy fast." For the Oscar-nominated film Bombshell, Hollywood hyperrealist Kazu Hiro spent seven weeks turning Charlize Theron into former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly.
When asked how much it all cost, he said: "Not cheap."
Corso had just one fitting with Swift before the video shoot. He applied the prosthetics with Premier Products adhesives, used Skin Illustrator ink to perfect her skin-color, and topped it off just a touch of makeup. The beard, mustache, eyebrows, wig, and contact lenses were applied separately.
When Swift saw the final look, she was "thrilled," Corso says, "as was everyone. I think she felt it was exactly what she hoped it would be. That’s always the best result you could ask for."
You Might Also Like
