AlternaTSe Universe?
I feel like I am living in a bizarre alternate (Taylor Swift) universe. Since crushing the three shows in London, which were attended by the Royal Family, Paul McCartney, and a bajillion other celebs, amongst 270,000 screaming fans, all the world seemed to be talking about this past Monday & Tuesday is “Travvy”.
First with respect to his performance on N3:
While I can appreciate the shock factor and his ability to play the bit well, it seems like the world is treating him like some supernova of a boyfriend. So many people were creating content about this being the most "romantic" thing they ever saw and how Travis is her "savior". See below.
I may be stuck on stupid but, in my understanding of Taylor Swift's music, she typically refutes the notion that she needs a man to come rescue her. She refers to men as "kens" or as "toys". So to read something with such strong language like "rock and savior" seemed extreme, yet reflective of a large portion of the Taylor Swift Fandom. Now granted, I think that we are all guilty of "projecting" some of our personal / inner life onto Taylor, depending on where we are in life, in relationships, etc. However, when her music frequently, and recently, reflects themes of "secrecy", "closets", "hiding", "fantasies of dying", "wanting to disappear", "desire to change life circumstances", "living in constraint", "showing lies" and wanting to reject heteronormative expectations, it feels extreme to see the above perspective espoused not only in the screenshots above, but very much in different posts all over social media. The idea that Dr. Taylor Alison Swift (who has lifted the economy globally, has over 500 awards for her work, runs an empire that everyone and every brand wants some connection with) needs a HERO to come swoop in and save her, makes the eyes pop out of my head. I have no idea if any or all of her relationship with TK is genuine, or if it is a mutual business partnership. But what was performed on N3 in London was, in my opinion, "part of the show". I did not see that it was a declaration of their love and devotion to each other. I do believe that TS has loved men and women before, and I believe that she may continue to do so throughout her life. What I do not believe is that Taylor is going to make a public spectacle calling on the world to see how in love they are by portraying her as a damsel in distress who needs to be saved by a man. Her music defies that notion. She dominated the world last year even with her broken heart. She did that, not TK.
Second, everyone in her fandom seems to be falling over his interview on the Bussin Podcast. Many listeners posted that they were “melting” “dying” and “sobbing” about his answers in response to the questions they asked him about his relationship w/Taylor. I listened to the full podcast to make sure I missed nothing. Actually, I watched it on YouTube which you can do through the hyperlink above.
I found his responses to be underwhelming, generic, and canned. Like a fan would probably be more enthusiastic about their love for Taylor than what I observed with TK's responses. When he did speak about Taylor and what made him "really start to fall for her" he shared that it was when he realized that she is:
1) Self-Aware (in the context of her attending his games and sitting with his family and friends) 2) Genuine, Chill, and Cool when around [his] family and friends, 3) Can handle herself in situations when dealing with the public and on the Super Bowl Field.
Again, his response to this question seems so basic.. Like you are allegedly dating Taylor Swift, and this was your response??
Question Asked by Podcast Hosts: What's been the most surprising thing with your guys's dating life that you're like, you maybe you anticipated it, but like man this is crazy that this person's here trying to figure this out, or take a picture over here at my house how did they find my address, like what's been the craziest? TK Answer: Definitely the, the pulling up to the house [by randos], or the just random like IDK, It's been cool... Like it's a different demographic {Taylor's fans} than the NFL really so it's like, it's been cool to like kind of dabble in that and like see her following {of fans} and everything and It's been fun because it’s a lot more like kids are, are way more um into the game and like the Chiefs fans have kind of like turned into a lot of her fans, or, her fans have turned into like Chiefs fans.. So it’s like i’ve had fun with just about every aspect of it. It’s just when you’re at home you want [privacy] - Yeah, and you don’t just you don’t always get that.
TO BE FAIR: When TK spoke about going to the concerts he was more complimentary of Taylor and what she's able to do on stage and how all the fans respond (but this is like no different than what anyone NOT romantically involved would say) and that he's been happy to be able to go and support her at the shows, "I don't know, she's having fun up there so it's like I can enjoy seeing her in her element killing it on stage and um I love the show man she's got bangers."
Of those "bangers"' here is how he ranked his top 3 TS songs.
1. Blank Space 2. Cruel Summer 3. So High School (because it has sentimental meaning to him)
Make of that what you will.. but um, he seems to know very little of the rest of her catalogue. The hosts seemed to have much more knowledge of the variety of songs as well as the lyrics.
I truly do not get why everyone was so tickled by his interview, but alas. Maybe I am just too critical? But we are talking about TAYLOR ALISON SWIFT.. Like she is not just another "lady". She's so smart, clever, creative, capable, like there are so many things he could have brought up that really spoke to her uniquely. Anyway. if you read this, thanks. I needed to not feel crazy and needed to just organize my thoughts.
Also, is there a possibility to use the term "TayloW" to indicate that TAYlorLOvesWomen, without having to label her sexual orientation?
