Taylor Swift has made a highly anticipated return to the interview circuit, sitting down with TIME magazine to discuss her journey as the 2023 Person of the Year. The pop sensation, known for her hits and constant evolution, shared candidly about the struggles she’s faced over the past two decades.
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The Eras Tour
“Every day I would run on the treadmill, singing the entire set list out loud. Fast for fast songs, and a jog or a fast walk for slow songs… Then I had three months of dance training, because I wanted to get it in my bones. Learning choreography is not my strong suit.”
Hi! Well, so, basically I have a birthday coming up and I was thinking a fun way to celebrate the year we’ve had together would be to make The Eras Tour Concert Film available for you to watch at home! Very happy to be able to tell you that the extended version of the film… pic.twitter.com/JTpl0tz1uG
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) November 27, 2023
Swift shared insights on “The Eras Tour” and her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. The interview depicted a woman navigating the challenges of fame, having faced fluctuating public opinion.
Swift wanted her “The Eras Tour” to give people a good value for their money.
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“They had to work really hard to get the tickets. I wanted to play a show that was longer than they ever thought it would be, because that makes me feel good leaving the stadium.”
“I know I’m going on that stage whether I’m sick, injured, heartbroken, uncomfortable, or stressed. That’s part of my identity as a human being now. If someone buys a ticket to my show, I’m going to play it unless we have some sort of force majeure.”
Time Magazine: We’d like to name you Person of the Yea-
Me: Can I bring my cat. https://t.co/SOhkYKSTwG
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) December 6, 2023
The day following her string of performances, Swift stays in bed.
“I do not leave my bed except to get food and take it back to my bed and eat it there. It’s a dream scenario. I can barely speak because I’ve been singing for three shows straight. Every time I take a step my feet go crunch, crunch, crunch from dancing in heels.”
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One of the interview’s striking elements was Swift’s rare vulnerability. The pop icon is usually private, but she recently shared some details about the difficulties she’s faced. This came after she was named TIME’s Person of the Year, which led to a closer look at her life and career.
Swift is aware that “two horrifying things” in her career eventually served as “two great catalysts.”
“The first was getting canceled within an inch of my life and sanity. The second was having my life’s work taken away from me by someone who hates me.”
“I had all the hyenas climb on and take their shots… Make no mistake—my career was taken away from me… You have a fully manufactured frame job, in an illegally recorded phone call, which Kim Kardashian edited and then put out to say to everyone that I was a liar. That took me down psychologically to a place I’ve never been before. I moved to a foreign country. I didn’t leave a rental house for a year. I was afraid to get on phone calls. I pushed away most people in my life because I didn’t trust anyone anymore. I went down really, really hard. I thought that moment of backlash was going to define me negatively for the rest of my life.”
Since then, Swift has chosen a new motto.
“Nothing is permanent. So I’m very careful to be grateful every second that I get to be doing this at this level, because I’ve had it taken away from me before. There is one thing I’ve learned: My response to anything that happens, good or bad, is to keep making things. Keep making art. But I’ve also learned there’s no point in actively trying to quote unquote defeat your enemies. Trash takes itself out every single time.”
Travis Kelce and Swift have been dating for a time
“This all started when Travis very adorably put me on blast on his podcast, which I thought was metal as hell. We started hanging out right after that. So we actually had a significant amount of time that no one knew, which I’m grateful for, because we got to get to know each other. By the time I went to that first game, we were a couple. I think some people think that they saw our first date at that game? We would never be psychotic enough to hard launch a first date.”
🚨| Taylor Swift on her relationship with Travis Kelce!
"When you say a relationship is public, that means I'm going to see him do what he loves, we're showing up for each other, other people are there and we don't care. And we're just proud of each other." pic.twitter.com/zHhbFKsUYh
— The Eras Tour (@tswifterastour) December 6, 2023
“I don’t know how they know what suite I’m in. There’s a camera, like, a half-mile away, and you don’t know where it is, and you have no idea when the-camera is putting you in the broadcast, so I don’t know if I’m being shown 17 times or once. I’m just there to support Travis. I have no awareness of if I’m being shown too much and pissing off a few dads, Brads, and Chads.”
Public and media reactions to Swift’s openness were overwhelmingly positive, with many praising her honesty. However, the interview wasn’t without its share of criticisms and controversies, highlighting the polarizing nature of the global pop sensation.
Swift hinted at exciting projects in a recent interview. She announced Miami dates for her Eras Tour and fueled fan speculation about re-recording her iconic album “1989.”The revelation left fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Swift’s musical journey.
Turns out it’s NOT the end of an era 😝 Miami, New Orleans, Indy and Toronto: The Eras Tour is coming to you in 2024 with @gracieabrams! Verified fan registration for all shows is open now – visit https://t.co/xw6YMN3GMc for more information pic.twitter.com/DCgFQb2U22
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) August 3, 2023
Swift is becoming more active in addressing societal issues, sexism, and former President Donald Trump. Although praised for speaking out, she has also faced criticism for perceived inconsistencies in her activism. Despite this, Swift remains committed to using her platform to address critical issues, even when facing scrutiny.
The evolution of Swift’s music style, transitioning from country-pop to a global pop sensation, was a key topic in the interview. The discussion highlighted her artistic progression and the dynamic nature of her musical identity.
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In 2023, Swift was selected as TIME’s Person of the Year due to her massive 66-date tour and significant impact on the economy. She was recognized among a group of notable finalists, showcasing the enduring influence she wields across various spheres.
Swift’s TIME interview unveiled the woman behind the music and provided a comprehensive look at her highs, lows, and evolution. As fans await her next steps, Taylor Swift continues to leave an indelible mark on the music industry and beyond.
