I’m Still a Taylor Swift Fan—Here’s Why
If you've been keeping up with Taylor Swift, you know that she's fallen from grace over the last year or so.
In fact, the singer got so much hate after her drama with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West in July 2016 that she completely disappeared from the public eye for months.
But the Kardashian-West scandal on National Snake Day—while disastrous for Taylor's reputation—is far from the only time the singer has been harshly critiqued by the masses. Since the start of her career, Taylor hasn't been able to evade the plethora of public criticism that has followed her every move.
When she first started out, she was praised for her deeply honest lyrics and open approach to her music and career. However, as she grew older, fans and the media rebranded that same openness and honesty as Taylor's attempt to play the victim. She was accused of purposefully putting herself in situations that would yield great songs and maintain her status as a misunderstood and overlooked young girl.
After she pulled her music from Spotify, Swift was accused of being greedy because she did not feel that the streaming service did enough to support artists. She has been called out by fans and fellow celebrities for staying too silent on political issues, and her girl squad has been criticized for being too elitist and just another ploy in Taylor's attempts to advance her career.
As if being criticized for her friends, her beliefs and her personality wasn't enough, the public has also faulted her for something as simple as her reaction to awards she received. Apparently, her shocked reaction and thankful speeches came off as "too humble."
The singer even received backlash for her new song "Look What You Made Me Do," which has racked up almost 4 million views on YouTube. Critics have accused her of being so unwilling to forgive that it is taking the personality out of her music, and that the song is a low point in her career.
Despite the critical distaste Taylor's been associated with in recent months, and the negative cloud of judgment that hangs over her every move, I refuse to give up on the singer. Scroll below to see all the reasons why I'm still a Taylor Swift fan.
Her Music Is Just Plain Good
Whether you love her or hate her, there's no denying that Taylor music is ridiculously catchy. From the sweet sound of "Tim McGraw" to the more electronic sound of "Look What You Made Me Do," it's nearly impossible not to sing along to a Taylor Swift song.
The Girl Is Talented
Taylor writes or co-writes all of her music, has a stunning voice and knows how to connect with her fanbase. She didn't build a career on luck, she built a career off of a massive amount of hard work and skill, and that's something I will always respect.
She Is a Voice For Girls Everywhere
Despite her massive amounts of fame and success, Taylor never wants to lose touch with her core. She was a misunderstood and overlooked young girl before she was famous, and she strives to be the voice for girls everywhere who have experienced the same things she went through.
She Stands Up For Herself
Despite everything she's been accused of doing, Taylor is always willing to stand up for herself and her beliefs. She refuses to let anyone put her down and she's not afraid to speak her mind, even when her opinions might make her less popular. Whether you agree with her or not, the courage it takes to stick to your beliefs no matter what is inspiring.
She's Not Afraid To Take Risks
Rather than playing it safe and sticking to the same country sound for her entire career, Taylor has never been afraid of changing the game and going for the shock factor. Her sound and persona have change drastically over the course of her career. Even though it's possible that her new sound could alienate her fans, Taylor has never let fear stop her from pursuing what she wants, which is a policy we could all learn from.
It's All a Part of Growing Up
With all her fame and success, it's easy to forget that Taylor started her music career when she was 16 years old. Over the past 11 years, she has gone through the same transitions and major life events that all young adults go through, but she has experienced all these changes in the public eye. Taylor's transformation has been a part of her growing up, and she's dealt with the multiple controversies that have been thrown at her much better than many young adults would.
Having trouble remembering the old Taylor? Take a look at THIS full timeline of Taylor Swift's music evolution.