Everyone knows who Taylor Swift is; she is a social icon. From her curly-haired, sparkly dress days to the edgy, show-stopping look we see today, she has been a role model for years. Taylor Swift has been able to dodge all sorts of bullets that media has thrown at most celebrities. She always quiets the rumors and negativity, even if it takes writing a song. Taylor Swift is known for writing many, many heartbreak songs, which may or may not contain the name of said heartbreaker (yikes). Yet, recently, Taylor Swift has embraced what people have said about her. In her most recent album, 1989, Swift has taken a different approach than she did in her earlier years. One of her singles, ‘Blank Space,’ shows her completely embracing and accepting
the way that media and society views her. On countless talk shows and in many magazines, Swift is always portrayed as that sad, dejected girl who can’t stop going through boyfriends, but she has transcended the labels and even profited from them. “Taylor Swift has gone from the sweet, country singer that the media forced her to be turned into an edgy young woman that can stand on her own in the music industry,” Stacy Kappel, senior, said. “The media criticizes her unfairly for making money off of relationship songs and turning rough situations into positive ones.” Taylor also is very involved with her fans unlike some celebrities. She has even written a song (‘Ronan’) about a very young fan who was close to the end of his life. Being rooted in her fan base shows how she has true dedication and love for what she does. ”She has always seemed to be a fun loving gal, even more so now. Going from country to pop, she has managed to keep her feet on the ground and head out of the clouds despite disapproval.” Joshua McGovern, senior, said. “I may not be a fan, but I tip my hat to her for keeping her head on straight.” Taylor Swift, T-Swizzle, is a true icon and the new queen of the world.
Taylor refers to herself when she was younger, along with a neighbor boy, as "dirty-kneed kids scrapping to beat hell and trying to land on our feet" (TBT 2). Her independence is also evident in the way she dressed. When teased that she dressed like an eye test for color blindness, she reveals she was actually flattered. "I had decided early on that if I couldn't dress elegant, I'd dress memorable" (TBT 6).
In the beginning of the story we see that Taylor is an average teenage girl living with a single mother. She says, “But I stayed in school. I was not the smartest or even particularly outstanding but I was there and staying out of trouble” (3). She was called “Missy” for a lot of her childhood but when she was three she said, “I stamped my foot and told my mother not to call me Marietta but Miss Marietta” (2). From Taylor’s childhood I find that she had a sense of personal pride and could defend herself. These really are great attributes and we really see these attributes grow more and mature throughout the story.
Imagine finding out your boyfriend is cheating on you with your best friend. Your best friend doesn’t tell you because she wants to save you from a heartbreak, but she wants you to forgive her for stabbing you in the back. You focus your negative energy into your work, only to be told you can’t accomplish anything on your own. Brooke Davis, a female character from One Tree Hill, and Blair Waldorf, a female character from Gossip Girl, are two women that went through these difficulties without giving up. Blair once said, “If you really want something, you don’t stop for anyone or anything until you get it.” Brooke and Blair go through many lessons throughout their life on the show, becoming positive role models for viewers. While Brooke Davis and Blair Waldorf live two completely different lifestyles, Brooke and Blair are both confident, forgiving, and resilient.
Taylor Swift’s debut album contained such songs as Our Song, Teardrops on my Guitar, and Picture to Burn. Swift’s approach is perhaps more country than the Dixie Chicks in a few regards. The banjo is featured throughout the record and more traditional country percussion, as well as more country-style lyrics. However, she stands out with a crystal-clear voice and excellent use of metaphor throughout her songwriting. In terms of musicality, Swift may not be the most gifted, aside from her voice. But in her songs, her personality shines through in a way that pulls light through into your ears, noted especially in her song Love
In her songs, she is often changing between hip-hop and pop that no other rapper is capable of, or
...as won throughout her singing and acting career are countless. Even Dolly’s physical appearance and voice have made such a statement in the entertainment world. There have even been many other entertainers that have tried to follow her footsteps of fashion and image but no one can pull it off like Dolly can. I’m certain that this famous pop culture icon is not done yet entertaining and giving more to our society. I don’t imagine there will be another entertainer that will be more famous in the pop culture world as Dolly Parton.
In this dark, vengeful song, “Look What You Made Me Do,” shrewd lyricist Taylor Swift uses honest repetition, ominous imagery, and arresting figurative language to demonstrate an adolescent female’s change to a wrathful lady.
In today’s world, celebrities are often misunderstood, especially singer/songwriter Robin Rihanna Fenty, referred to as Rihanna. Rihanna’s sexual behaviors in her videos have been talked about in negative ways for some time now, but what people do not understand is that it is all for fame. Celebrities will do anything to keep their careers going strong. If one really took the time out to take a deep look at Rihanna, they will notice how humble she really is. After going through the abusive relationship with Chris Brown, Rihanna has struggled with gaining that strong confidence in who she is.
Hip-hop and rap music are commonly criticized for its anti-feminist lyrics and degrading exploitation of women in music and music videos. (Sharpley-Whiting ) Many feminists have taken action against the music industry, which produces these messages in the music they release. However, in the hip-hop genre there are plenty of successful female rappers promoting feminist views, artist such as Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige have made the choice to condemn the derogatory culture towards women. (Oliver, 382–384) However others female hip-hop artist, such as Lil Kim or Rihanna, have decided to provide no resistance towards the deleterious depictions of women in their music and in turn sometimes exploit themselves. Due to her extreme fame, success, and controversial image, at the front of this discussion is female rapper Nicki Minaj. Nicki Minaj is challenging the common view of women in hip-hop by proclaiming feminist ideologies through the art of reclaiming the genres negative undertones towards women and by providing an opportunity for women to be seen as equals rather than objects.
Rihanna, from her very first music videos has compelled public eyes as an effigy, an icon and a statement of music lifestyle. Her independent outlook, badass attitude mixed with a Caribbean accent has undoubtedly confined not only music but the whole popular culture of our time. Diamonds, We Found Love, Bitch Better Have My Money and S&M are some of the top songs by this epic singer. Songs that today rule bars, dance clubs, parties and of course her numerous fans.
The way Taylor Swift is promoting the prevention of bullying, and protesting for social change is very effective, because through her usage of similes in her song’s lyrics, and how she gives a more detail picture with her video where she connects with does who are victims of bullies. “You, with your words like knives/ And swords and weapons that you use against me/ You have knocked me off my feet again/ Got me feeling like a nothing…” This is a way of connecting with her viewers because its a clear picture of how bullies continue with the same routine being judgmental, and making their “prey” sad, disappointed of themselves, and fell like a nothing. “Physical bullying increases in elementary school, peaks in middle school and declines in high school. Verbal abuse, on the other hand, remains constant.” This quote helps to understand the idea that swift is trying to give to society and to convince that we need to change and help decrease bullying and decrease the drop out rate. Taylor Swift also makes the statement of “Someday I’ll be living in a big ole city/ and all you’re ever gonna be is mean…” in her song because she wants to emphasize that bullies wont make it to be anything else than bullies and that the weaker man is going to have a great life and become a stronger man. This is another way that Swift indirectly connects with her viewers by encouraging them to never give up on life and go pass what bullies will never
Who comes to mind when thinking about who the best role model is? Is it a friend? A sibling? Possibly a parent? For me, When thinking about who the best role model to have is, one person in particular comes to mind. She has been there my entire life, has seen me through thick and thin, and always supports me in everything that I do. The person that I consider to be the best role model is my older sister, Kelly. To this day my sister and I aren't joined at the hip, and I don't speak to her everyday, but my sister is still one of my closest friends. Growing up we saw things differently, but as I grew up and saw my sister go through life with a confidence still unrivaled, I realized she was the one person who I could count on to pick me up when
Ever since I was in eighth grade, I have been obsessed with Taylor Swift. She has been my role model since I was thirteen. When you look at most singers today, they have to be singing about drugs or alcohol, using vulgar language, or performing half-dressed. You never see Taylor Swift doing anything that she would be ashamed of later in life. On the other hand, she has had many relationships that have lasted short time periods. At least, she is not getting married for 72 days or even 24 hours such Kim Kardashian or Britney Spears. This is why I chose to write a research paper on her.
When Taylor Swift is determined to do something, the girl really does know how to
At the young age of just twenty-four, singer/songwriter Taylor Swift has already made her mark on the world. With four platinum records, several hit singles, and seven Grammy Awards, the young songwriter has been a source of both entertainment and inspiration for people of all ages. Unlike other artists, Taylor Swift is completely fearless with her songwriting. Whether she’s singing about her first day of school, falling in love, or breaking up with a boyfriend, Swift always shares intimate details about her personal life in her lyrics. Many people love this quality about her, but others think Swift gives women a bad reputation by appearing to be a flawless and blameless victim in her songs. Regardless of the negative thoughts some people have about her, Taylor Swift is undoubtedly a huge success and a role model for teenage girls all over the world.