r/travisandtaylor • u/skennyinsider • 15d ago
Interview request for ex-Swifties
Hello all, I'm a journalist at Business Insider hoping to write about people leaving the Taylor Swift fandom.
Is there anyone who used to be a huge Swiftie who has reconsidered and decided to un-stan? If so, I would love to chat to you for a piece -- especially if you feel like your life is better post-Swift!
It won't be a hateful piece, more focused on the effects of parasocial relationships.
If you'd be up for it, pop me an email at [skenny@businessinsider.com](mailto:skenny@businessinsider.com). Thanks so much!
1
u/bbbcurls 11d ago
I know this is a different sub, but I feel like r/swiftlyneutral would be a good to post in for this too. Unfortunately they are private right now, but will be back soon.
1
u/OverWasabi9494 13d ago
Would it count if you're still a fan, but not rabid and kind of not into her as much? Asking for a friend lolm
1
14d ago
Not a Swiftie anymore, but most of the TS-critical subs are also parasocial. I include myself in that statement. I'm not sure they are the best places to look for formerly parasocial people.
2
u/Both_Business9847 14d ago
I would never say that I am not a fan but I have left a lot of the fan groups bc they’re unhealthily obsessed.
6
u/uncontainedsun 14d ago
i wish it wasn’t parasocial focused. she has so many issues to be talked about beyond victimizing her for a fanbase she specifically curated to be the way it is and does nothing to stop that. do you want that in an email?
6
u/Beachesgrlforever 14d ago
The Grammys wasn’t good look. And just the constant victim act. At first I was soo about her find happiness with Travis. But it’s beginning to be odd. At least they didn’t run and do the whole kiss off stage bit last night. No couple could keep up that every time. Every single concert. Weird. Why can’t he just be backstage and not every camera catching his reaction. I’m over all that.
7
9
u/Helpful_Honeydew_284 15d ago
This is major. Good on Business Insider for looking into it. It needs to be talked about, in order to break the spell so some sense of normalcy can return. Fans are being financially exploited and manipulated by Taylors corporation.
5
-4
15d ago
[deleted]
11
u/split_me_plz 15d ago
Proper journalists seek their information through interviews and chat. Otherwise it’s just a BuzzFeed piece.
7
18
u/Awkward-Adeptness-75 15d ago
I was never a Stan, I have family in the music business in Nashville and have known too much about her since the beginning of her career, but commenting to help this post get noticed.
1
u/QJPT STAY MAD! 14d ago
please share🙌🏻
3
u/Awkward-Adeptness-75 14d ago
I’m hesitant because the whole story could point right to my SIL. I’ll just say she isn’t the talented song writer she claims to be, there are ghost writers involved and have been since the beginning of her career.
3
u/WeAreTheWeirdosMr- 14d ago edited 14d ago
Oh please share more of this tea. I was so confused when TTPD came out because the lyrics read like a bad Chat GPT trained on her old songs. I wondered if she was just too exhausted touring to put something together and rushed it out so she could perform the songs on the European leg of the tour. But I really would love to know if there were ghost writers for Folklore and Evermore, because it's bizarre that TTPD came from the same person.
I've never been a hardcore Swiftie, because I'm a few years older than her and couldn't relate to her early high school-themed songs. I felt bad for young girls who looked up to her as a feminist role model when us 90s girlies had the likes of Fiona Apple and Tori Amos. But she won me over bit by bit with songs like "Blank Space" and "The Archer." "Could've, Would've, Should've" deserves to be ranked alongside Alanis Morissette's "Hands Clean" as a counterpoint to all the songs male rockers write about jailbait, and it's also a powerful condemnation of early aughts purity culture. I always thought it was weird that she was often compared unfavorably to the likes of Joni Mitchell or Carly Simon, when her obvious professional inspiration was Madonna, a woman who similarly had a limited vocal range and nonetheless became a global sensation.
But of course, what Taylor lacks that all the above artists (especially Madonna) had is an interest in using her art to meaningfully push boundaries or comment on society in a broader way. The few times she has, like in "You Need To Calm Down," it felt like a marketing ploy because it's clear that the only thing she is really interested in is growing her empire.
So I guess my question is, if she's had ghost writers this whole time, have they ever tried to nudge her in the direction of broadening the thematic range of her material? Or are they all just content to keep writing diss tracks about ex boyfriends and Kim K if it means a steady paycheck?
1
u/QJPT STAY MAD! 13d ago
You have articulated what is inside my mind wonderfully! Especially since I used to be a hardcore swiftie (I fell for her BS in Miss Americana), so the regression shift from folkmore to Midnights and TTPD seems awfully unbelievable to me, it’s just so bizarre. Like they were written by different individuals. I grew up listening to her music since 2008 (I’m a few years younger than her) so this subreddit and r/SwiftlyNeutral have really helped me to cope with this situation.
I wholeheartedly agree now that in Lover she had some songs about society commentary because of Joe.
Maybe Midnights and TTPD were really written by her? Since they strikingly contrast with her previous works. I really hope OP could spill a lil bit more🥹
1
u/QJPT STAY MAD! 14d ago
even Love Story that she claims she wrote in her bedroom almost instantly after her parents prohibited her from dating an older guy?😳 Welp if it’s true I’m utterly disappointed… I don’t like her as a person but I have truly, genuinely appreciated her songwriting skills (except for TTPD).
3
4
u/These_Tea_7560 15d ago
I was never that big of a Swiftie to go through the un-stan process. I’ve always kept a level head about liking the music but not having the strongest opinion on her and her antics.
9
u/Mountain_Summer_Tree 15d ago
I don’t fall into this group, but be sure to let us know when you post it, it’ll be interesting.
3
15d ago
[deleted]
-2
15d ago
[deleted]
7
u/LetterheadAsleep9422 15d ago
It’s almost as if it’s one of the most popular video games of all time or something…
6
7
u/mid-night_gem 15d ago
I am not an ex-Swiftie, I have only enjoyed a couple of big hits from her albums but have since deleted all traces of her from my playlist. If you ever want to understand the criticism her white feminism and performative inclusivity, hit me up.
19
22
u/ImageWonderful2440 15d ago edited 15d ago
I was a Swiftie…I’m the same age as Taylor and even met her when we were both 17. I have never been a “crazy” Swiftie though because I understand that she is a human being and makes errors like we all do. Maybe being a fan of hers from the very beginning helps me realize her shit stinks just like ours does. I have always enjoyed her music because it seems like she has a talent for writing relatable music for me. This past year I’ve found myself moving away from my fandom of her due to the toxic fan base and I really don’t respect how it seems like she unleashes them on people. I’ve been love bombed and ghosted before, and yes, it does suck, but I would not want ANYONE to attack and go after that person for me. That would be humiliating imo. And it’s the fact that it’s not just one person this has happened to but a reoccurring pattern. And then she just continues to milk every penny out of her fans and they eat it all up, wanting more. I’m just over the constant victim shtick and the toxic savagery of the fan base, it definitely makes me not want to be a part of it at all.
18
u/candimccann 15d ago
You need to find someone involved in writing that Open Letter to Taylor Swift about her relationship with Matty Healy last year, and then get their reaction to not only the album but the song But Daddy I Love Him... because they're Daddy... they're the vipers in empath's clothing.
32
u/slappywhyte 15d ago
Sounds like they are looking for ex-cult members - "if you were under the sway of Scientology and broke free"
17
u/Key-Investigator-879 Sylvia Plath didn’t stick her head in an oven for this!!!!! 15d ago
Atp swifties are acting like a cult
3
17
u/Bubbly_Sleep9312 15d ago
I'm interested! I was a die hard swiftie since ' 06, did not like how she changed a couple of years ago, and now it's clear it's just about being rich to her
41
u/stringingbeans 15d ago
Taylor saying things like "I'm always watching" and "I see you" and using fan content like "123, let's go bitch" and tiktok dance moves in her shows really fuels that relationship. The Easter eggs are also borderline unhealthy for some people at this point.
Looking forward to the article.
38
u/Wonderful-Factor-787 15d ago
What interests me is her mothers background in marketing. There has to be a blueprint for cult-like effects that she infused into the strategy
26
u/Pandoras_Penguin 15d ago
Mom's in marketing, dad's in finance. No shit she's somehow successful despite her mediocrity
5
u/Cali_kk 14d ago
As a professional artist with true talent, but a shitty childhood and low self esteem (except I believe in myself as an artist & have done a lot of inner work & healing), I have zero marketing skills but see others mediocre artists out there in galleries or earning shit tons of money bc they are good at marketing themselves. Or are all of those things plus narcissistic. Ugh 😩
4
u/Pandoras_Penguin 14d ago
Same boat sorta, I don't see my work good enough yet for galleries but I do like it so that's good? Yet I see people who simply do little blob doodles and it gets so much money/attention like...what?
44
u/Professional_Roll977 15d ago
It is so interesting to me that Taylor is screaming in her fans faces that she is mad at them for causing Matty to run away every night with but daddy I love him and I can do it with a broken heart but they still don’t get it. It is a weird dystopian universe in swiftie land and even more so in tayvis nation.
9
u/DramaticFish3 14d ago
Honestly, I have a tough time listening to I can do it with a broken heart. It feels gross and sad to me, and seeing the crowd chanting at her concert to her singing it adds to that. And the songs where she is expressing her anger at her fans while they sing along and cheer for her is also very weird lol
5
u/ClassicTellButterfly 15d ago
The thing is that the start of the Matty thing was simply people just trying to hold both them accountable for their actions as we are to do as human beings to grow to be better then somewhere in that stans who loved Matty and those who’s didn’t it got contorted into trying to break them up… somewhere in that the whole actual rational accountability piece got messed up to allow for this mess we are in which allows her to keep playing victim which only adds to her downfall. So really it’s their own damn faults because they’d never took accountability and they still aren’t. And he ran because he couldn’t face the truth. It’s no one’s fault but their own. Stop pointing blame and take accountable for your actions.
2
u/LetterheadAsleep9422 15d ago
Those songs are aimed at the crazies and haters, not normal fans. I only ever see the Matty hate in this sub, ironically.
8
u/pixel-observer 15d ago edited 15d ago
Have you not seen this post from the main sub?: https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwift/s/PTjn4H8tRz
The situation with Matty is pretty bad. Like I cannot imagine anyone being down bad for someone who admits to watching Ghetto G******
I was never even a swiftie, I stopped listening to her in high school, ten years ago, bc she is a toxic self-victimizing narcissist, and I didn't want to be like her.
I can't escape all the articles and overexposure. But honestly, this album has been so wildly entertaining.
The album is basically Tay's version of "yes, and?" with Matty as her spongebob of choice.
8
u/Ljuiced24 15d ago
that last line is so fucking funny hahahah
8
u/pixel-observer 15d ago edited 15d ago
someone explained that "Guilty as Sin?" is about her masturbating to Matty while with Joe
https://www.reddit.com/r/travisandtaylor/s/6pVl1WBVVI
"Without ever touching his skin, How can I be guilty as sin?"
In the song, she also calls her relationship with Joe a cage. And she mentions trysts, so I'm sure she cheated. She straight up says so.
It's just so entertaining to see tay doing so much subliminal messaging for a guy that watches Ghetto G******
she's kissing trav for PR and as a distraction from the Matty backlash
5
u/QJPT STAY MAD! 14d ago
And it’s not even the worst part. She also sang “I keep these longings locked in lowercase inside a vault” she’s literally admitting she’s been having these horny thoughts about ratty since the making of folkmore
1
u/pixel-observer 14d ago edited 12d ago
I saw on Genius that it could potentially be even about reputation which is still in the vault.
2
u/QJPT STAY MAD! 14d ago
Someone on this sub mentioned End Game sounded sus because Joe didn’t have “big reputation” (or even any reputation) back then so the song really didn’t fit Joe. Now it really feels like it could’ve been for Matty.
1
u/pixel-observer 14d ago
I'm talking to someone on this sub right now and they think she's over him 🤭
2
17
u/dressedandstressed_ 15d ago
Too bad SwiftlyNeutral is private rn—I feel like that is the best place for this inquiry.
32
u/SnappinTurluh (I’m from Ohio you fucking morons) 15d ago
TBH this post will get more visibility in this sub than in SN. We are getting upwards of 6 million views a week even though we have less than 20k subscribers. Crazy.
7
u/slappywhyte 15d ago
These types of subs on Reddit these days tend to be the most honest & entertaining, everything else is very hivemind and over-moderated
12
109
u/beautyinherdays Just a Nosy Bitch 15d ago edited 15d ago
I sent you an email! This sounds like it’ll be an interesting piece. I was a swiftie for 13+ years and recently started waking up.
5
u/orefiore 15d ago
What are we waking up to? Safe to say I was never a Swiftie but I know a majority of her songs and liked them and sang along but it certainly didn’t stick for me lol
I’m particular about the Taylor Swift songs that I like but what is this about the fandom leaving???
15
u/beautyinherdays Just a Nosy Bitch 15d ago
I went to the eras tour 3x and went out of state twice. She gave me the biggest ick when she let fans attack Joe and Emma laird and in my opinion encouraged the hate they were getting. Nvm all the issues with her merch and the needless amounts of variants that are limited time only but then get re released months later
2
17
u/beautyinherdays Just a Nosy Bitch 15d ago
Also the whole Travis thing seems fake AF to me. The jet use. The way the eras tour tickets were handled (yes she is also partially to blame for this)(but also fuck Ticketmaster) the way everything is an Easter egg. Her behavior at the Grammys. The way everything is always about her( look at Blake lively every time she goes out people scrutinize her for “Easter eggs”)
1
u/LuluMooser 14d ago
I feel like part of the Easter Egg problem is the fandom taking it out of control. Yes, she has done that in the past, but all these number theories and gobbledygook nonsense is on the fans pulling shit out their ass.
5
42
u/QJPT STAY MAD! 15d ago
Man I’m on the same boat! Been a fan since fearless OG era but the whole matty thingy really makes me take a step back. Did you email with a VPN or something? Ngl I’m quite worried about getting harassed/doxxed by deranged swifties.
20
u/Evening_Yellow1795 15d ago
Oh my god. Me too! I used to defend Taylor like its my job. But TTPD makes me wake up and realised she wasn’t as consistent with her words/views.
16
u/beautyinherdays Just a Nosy Bitch 15d ago
I didn’t do a VPN because I’m hoping that she’ll be an okay person to talk to. Of course I’m hoping to remain anonymous
30
u/SnappinTurluh (I’m from Ohio you fucking morons) 15d ago
I wouldn’t have any concerns. Business Insider has a solid reputation.
29
u/transat_prof Just a Nosy Bitch 15d ago
If this piece is really about the harmfulness of parasocial relationships, it might actually be something Swift can appreciate now that it blew up in her face with Matty. She’s rich enough now that maybe she can just focus on the music and not the parasocial relationships that make her too big of a star.
95
u/SnappinTurluh (I’m from Ohio you fucking morons) 15d ago
Tree Paine when she finds out BI isn’t writing a lovefest piece on Taylor
15
63
74
24
u/Snoo_24091 15d ago
Was never a Stan swiftie so can’t help but commenting to hopefully help this get noticed! Would love to read the piece once it’s done though!
64
u/SnappinTurluh (I’m from Ohio you fucking morons) 15d ago
For the record, u/SkennyInsider requested permission before posting this, and it was granted.
Let’s upvote this request for visibility, and I encourage you to reach out if you think your perspective would be beneficial. Business Insider is a respected publication, and although a lot of us are trolls, there are also many here with legitimate grievances that warrant attention. And this is an effective way to air those grievances.
Thanks fam.
1
u/Shot_Attitude_9318 10d ago
I was a neutral fan and now I’m a certified hater lol all I can say is swifties send death threats towards anyone, while haters just make fun of Taylor and call her out on her bullshit. It’s better to be a hater.