Taylor Swift is a successful young woman in practically all aspects. I like listening to her music, especially her album “1989” which I feel is her best album to date. I have been interested in her music/life since 2008. But, as the years have gone by, I have genuinely become more and more wary of her public persona and the image is she putting forward to the public.

Is it all real? This good girl, kind to all humans/animals alike personality. I feel as though there has to be a catch somewhere. There have been many articles where Taylor’s management have reportedly sued fans for selling little handmade items with Taylor’s face on them or suing her former guitar teacher for advertising that he had taught her at a young age. I can’t say if these are true or not, but these articles had to have some origin somewhere.

I’ve observed Taylor’s ever changing style, music and persona as the years have gone by. She has transitioned from a sundress wearing teenager singing country songs to a crop top wearing pop star belting out multi-platinum pop hits. And fair enough, as you grow older you experiment with your style and interests. We all do! In all honesty, pop music sells more than country music. So it makes sense that she has adapted with the times.

As for the term “obnoxious Nazi Barbie”, I think Camille Paglis is over exaggerating quite a bit. I suppose you need to examine Taylor Swift and her “squad”  from both sides. On one  hand, Taylor’s girl squad contains a collection of extremely successful young women, who exude confidence, strength and in a way just show that women are not short of talent and innovation. Her squad does scream “GIRL POWER” in a way that no other group of high profile female friends does. Her group of friends contains the following: Hailee Steinfield, actress turned singer, Gigi Hadid, a model, Lily Aldridge, model. Selena Gomez, a model, actress, singer and philanthropist. Zendaya, singer/actress and Karlie Kloss, model/Youtuber. And that is just some of the young women in Taylor’s “squad”. You could say that this promotes ambition to young female fans of these women.

BUT. On the other hand do you see a pattern? All of these women are drop dead gorgeous, with athletic, slim bodies and millions in their bank accounts. Even Lena Dunham, a long time friend of Taylor’s and an actual member of the “squad” has said she will no longer appear on stage with the girls as she feels insecure standing beside tall, perfectly made up goddesses. Taylor has always said that she supports women and identifies as feminist. But there isn’t much diversity in Taylor’s friend group. Zendaya and Serena Williams have publicly appeared on stage for Taylor’s 1989 shows, but Taylor predominantly has white female friends. Perhaps it gives off the idea that you can only make Taylor’s squad if you are a rich, successful, Caucasian woman in the career of acting, modelling or music. It certainly does not do much for my confidence to see pictures of this huge group of immaculately dressed women at multiple award shows.

Taylor Swift is one of the most powerful, influential and famous people on the planet. She could easily be using her voice to talk about the growing extinction of animal species, the fight against police brutality and African American rights. Surely she is aware of these growing issues? She has not commented on them and she isn’t necessarily obliged to. But I for one, wish she WOULD use her voice to spread awareness on these issues and to campaign for change. Of course, Taylor has been very generous in the past, donating to various charities for example campaigns for cancer awareness and promoting education. I am not doubting her generosity. I just feel that she could do so much more.

I genuinely feel that Taylor and her “squad” could potentially be a powerful movement if they wished to be. To stand against African American injustice in the US. To promote education, feminism and to show young girls out there that YES, you can do practically anything you set your heart to. I wish that they would show us the less flashy side to being in an internationally famous squad. Show us where they, like us, sit around eating crisps, gorging themselves on chocolate wearing sweatpants and hoodies with makeup free faces. That would be refreshing to see instead of photos of these young women wearing clothes with multiple figure price tags on them. We’re all well aware these girls are human just like us and their lives are not perfect. We just wish that they would show it. 

What do you think about Taylor Swift being branded an "Obnoxious Nazi Barbie?" Too much? Or does she deserve it? I'd like to hear your opinions.