Taylor Swift is a twelve-time Grammy winner, the Woman of the Decade winner, and is dominating the entertainment industry. However, some consider her most praiseworthy achievement the size of her fanbase. Swift has one of the most devoted fanbases in history. Research shows that a greater number of Swift’s fans, otherwise known as “Swifties” have attended at least one of her concerts, if not more. Swift produced four country albums, four pop albums, and two indie/folk albums with her fans supporting her every step of the way. No matter what Taylor Swift does with her career and personal life her fans are always there to support her.
Swifties have a considerable presence on the Pingree campus. Freshman Anne Roberts shared her thoughts on why Taylor Swift is one of the greatest artists of our generation, and a multitude of ninth graders agreed. “She makes really good music, and she’s a really good person, and she also performs really well,” explained Roberts. She expanded on the influence of Swift’s benevolence on the fandom, “Taylor Swift’s kindness has a big impact on why she is my favorite artist because she is really good to her fans and she also seems like a really nice person.”
Kaitlyn Ferry, a ninth grader, provided her opinions on the artists of today. Ferry is a fan of the alternative R&B artist SZA. Ferry was asked, “Even if she had a bad personality you would still be a fan?” to which she responded “Yeah.” Ferry went on to say that although she enjoys SZA’s music, she is not a dedicated fan. Interviews with freshmen of other fanbases provided practically identical answers to the one Ferry gave.
Swift has gone on six worldwide tours, with record-breaking attendance. Not only do Swifties pay an irrational price for these tickets, but they make sure to take home plenty of merchandise. “I don’t have a record player, but I really want to get one, and I’d get all of her vinyls, I have a couple shirts from the Reputation and the 1989 tour, and I was going to order stuff online for the Eras tour, but it was all sold out,” shared Sydney Rech, a member of the freshman class. Rech is a long-time fan and has attended three of Swift’s world tours. Other swifties that were interviewed provided similar answers.
A member of the ninth-grade class, Skylar Donavan is a zealous Drake fan. Donavan mentioned “I haven’t been to a Drake concert,” and “I don’t have any of his merch.” The majority of students from other fanbases have not attended their favorite music artists’ concerts or purchased their merchandise.
Swift has made around eighty-seven million dollars from merchandise sales and is estimated to have made three hundred million from the Eras Tour alone. The average music artist makes ten thousand off of merchandise per year, and thirty-nine thousand from a tour. Swift’s success is not solely due to her talent, but the commitment of her fans and their endless support for her. Swifties put Swift as a priority in their life, no matter the financial consequences. They love her not just for her music, but for the wonderful human that she is. Very few artists can say the same. Taylor Swift proves that kindness really is key.
