As she has become a global superstar, she has also fostered a brand. The brand “Taylor Swift” has revolved around the ever growing artist, and within the past few years, it has exploded. 17 years ago, the blonde popstar cemented the domain name “taylorswift.com.” The domain grew with the internet, evolving from a website used to advertise new singles and connect with fans, later exploding to a website that connects fans for concert tickets and merchandise purchasing. Importantly, her website (especially in earlier years) was known to connect her with her fans; she bolstered a reputation of caring for her fans. This personalized experience Swift “provides” to each fan creates the idea that she is each fans’ best friend. To add, during concerts, speeches, and advertisements, Taylor Swift addresses the audience using first person pronouns.
After profusely thanking the fans for all that they have done for her, she then tours and sells merchandise in return; this is the brand of Taylor Swift. As she exploded in fame the last four to ten years and grew a collectively massive fan base, the trust in Swift expanded. The friendly pop star is worshiped by her fans. They will do anything for her. Overly obsessed fans have been featured on social media as the average Taylor Swift fanatic (or average “Swiftie”). This has created a divide between the obsessed… and the rest of the world. A hostility towards liking Swift’s music quickly conjured around 2023 when The Eras Tour tickets went on sale and fans displayed their deepest insanities. Concern grows around fans as Swift is put “under attack” for the most minute wrongs or rights (such as her CO2 emission). Comments flood multiple social media posts with a desire for the “cancellation of Taylor Swift,” but for what… The truth is, the entity and brand of Talor Swift will be around for as long as she wants it to be. With over 100 million monthly listeners and the largest world tour ever, the blonde pop star can simply do whatever she wants and most people will follow. Even when she retires, fans will still stream her music and sell/trade their merchandise.
Taylor Swift is just too big. And the cult following, far too large.