If you’ve been anywhere but under a rock recently, or since 2009, you know that Taylor Swift and Kanye West have some drama. Shocking right? It shouldn’t surprise you that Taylor has some drama in her life, when she seems to almost routinely. Though she has been known to have drama surround her in the industry, she has also been known to have a solid foundation of fans to support her. But this time it proves different. Her pedestal may be beginning to crumble from under her feet. Who is Taylor Swift really?
I won’t deny that Taylor can be considered one of the best, given her talents in singing, songwriting and performing (not dancing of course). She is a well-spoken, smart young woman who has paved her way into fame, dominating year after year.
She couldn’t have done it without her experiences and song subjects to inspire her because what is it that Taylor is famously known for? Dating, yes. Having an epic girl squad, yes. Being one of the most charitable in Hollywood, yes. But most importantly, what her fame is built off of, writing music about her life, specifically people in her life and how they’ve affected her.
If she can build her fame off of writing songs about other people then why can’t someone else do the same, even if it is about her? She has been bold in her career and of all people should realize the courage it takes to write a song, or a lyric, about someone.
Her ability to turn her triumphs and trials into music is brave and encouraging and she does so without apology. Lyrics are her way of saying what needs to be said, not only for her but also for those her music is about or dealing with. And there is nothing wrong with that until you bring her newly revealed hypocrisy into the situation.
I am not shaming Taylor nor am I taking the side of Kanye. I don’t think he can be thought of as innocent in this situation, but neither can she. What is wrong with Kanye writing a song about someone, whom he not only got permission from, but who also wrote a song about him years prior.
To say that she is a victim of character assassination when it can be argued that her career is founded on exactly that is just plain hypocritical. Just because she doesn’t blatantly say her music is about specific people, she makes it pretty well clear. All Kanye did was take away any mystery there could have been to his song, although if he did like Taylor and left her name out, we would all still know. At least Kanye had the decency to seek permission for the song. If Taylor did the same for her music, she might not have a career, which has been carefully sculpted by her PR team.
She has been careful to build an image that would have you think she is the sweet as can be girl next door that is down to earth and grounded. Nothing is her fault and if you do her wrong she will come after you. She can be viewed as someone who is self-aware and able to handle her problems in a calm and mature manner when she relies heavily on her PR built and sustained image.
She has successfully wiggled her way through Hollywood as a, seemingly, no wrongdoer, who brings problems to light, stands up for herself and uses her voice for good. But this time she may not get away with it. People have had enough of her perceived innocence and her role as the victim.
