Pop star Taylor Swift has been accused of exploiting and appropriating the LGBTQ+ community for her own gain. In June 2019, she released “You Need to Calm Down,” a song that some fans felt was insensitive to the community. Swift performed the song again during her “Eras” tour, which coincided with Pride events, further fueling criticism. Despite her political activism, Swift’s career strategies have been labeled as noxious by some.
Swift’s fanbase, known as Swifties, often idolize her, but some critics have compared her to Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama, citing her dubious accomplishments. Swift’s stilted manner and high-school valedictorian-like persona have also been criticized. “You Need to Calm Down” has been labeled as a con job, with Swift using her bubble-gum pop style to appeal to adolescents who haven’t learned to distinguish thoughts from enthusiasms.
Critics have accused Swift of hijacking both the LGBTQ+ community and adolescence, particularly with her series of revenge songs that teach girls to think only about themselves. Swift has also been accused of fostering misandry with her bratty voice and feminist lyrics.
Some argue that Swift’s will-to-power coincided with Hillary Clinton’s biggest ambition, and that her manipulation tactics are a central ploy to her self-conscious media mania. While Swift’s popularity among young fans remains strong, her critics argue that her messages are specious and dangerous, and that her career strategies are noxious.
