The album itself is a glittering homage to the legacy of showgirls, blending vintage glamour with contemporary storytelling. Tracks like “Wood,” “Opalite,” and “CANCELLED!” explore fame, superstition, and love with Swift’s signature resonant storytelling. The accompanying film, Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, is part music video anthology, part behind-the-scenes documentary, and part visual love letter to the art of spectacle.
And then there’s the engagement. Swift revealed that Kelce proposed in a backyard transformed into a floral wonderland—complete with a hedge wall, hidden photographers, and a moment that felt lifted from a romantic screenplay. It’s the kind of fairytale moment Swift is all about brought to life.
 |
| Kelce proposing in a backyard transformed into a floral wonderland courtesy of People.com. |
But what I love most about Taylor Swift and her Swifties is how they’re changing pop culture. She is dominating charts and selling out stadiums—yet she’s done it differently. Unlike the traditional pop machine that relies on shock tactics, adapting to trends, and manufactured personas, Swift has built her empire through fun and gentle storytelling and a deep connection with her fans. While some songs do call out exes, she rarely resorts to outright blame. Instead, she crafts emotionally layered narratives that explore vulnerability, growth, and perspective. She doesn’t just release music; she crafts eras of growth. Each album is a world, each tour a theatrical experience, each lyric a breadcrumb in a larger narrative.
Swift has turned fandom into a participatory art form in ways I haven't seen any other artist do. She drops clues in music videos, embeds Easter eggs in album artwork, and codes messages into social media captions—inviting fans to engage. Her album rollouts feel like treasure hunts, where fans become collaborators in the storytelling. Even her merchandise and tour visuals are layered with references that reward deep listening and loyal participation. Swifties don’t just consume her art—they participate, co-create, and carry it forward.
And it works for Taylor because her fans genuinely care about the lyrics. They analyze them, make art about them, and build friendships around them. That deep emotional investment gives Swift the freedom to play with language—dropping double meanings, hidden metaphors, and lyrical callbacks that span years. She’s crafted a shared language with her audience.
One of my favorite expressions of this participatory culture is the friendship bracelet phenomenon. Inspired by the lyric “So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it” from her song “You’re On Your Own, Kid,” Swifties took that line to heart—literally. What began as a subtle invitation became a full-blown tradition during the Eras Tour, where fans craft handmade bracelets adorned with song titles, inside jokes, favorite lyrics, and even nods to Swift’s cats or iconic outfits.
At her shows, these bracelets become currency for connection. Swifties trade them with strangers, friends, and sometimes even celebrities in the crowd. It’s not just about the beads—each bracelet carries a story, a memory, a moment shared. The exchange is joyful, spontaneous, and deeply personal, turning stadiums into spaces of friendship where everyone belongs. This spirit of creativity and empowerment has rippled beyond music. What began as a gesture of connection has become a global symbol of Swiftie culture—girlie, colorful, expressive, and deeply personal. It’s a beautiful reminder that art doesn't have to be something we merely look up to—it can be something we live, share, and shape together.
And how do I know all this? Because that's what inspired my 12-year-old niece to start her own business. Watching Swift’s fans trade bracelets at concerts and online, she was inspired to start Fearless Bracelets. What began as a craft project at the kitchen table has grown into a thriving brand sold from North Carolina to Alaska. She names collections after Swift’s songs and other things she cares about. She custom makes meaningful bracelets for people. She's been motivated to learn how to curate beads, create color palettes, design, and find consignment partners. Her lifestyle has upscaled—not just in what she gets to buy with her own money, but in how she sees herself: as a creator, a businesswoman, and someone whose ideas matter.
The coolest part? She started making the bracelets to pay for her own ticket to the Eras Tour — and she succeeded. Her creativity literally opened the door to the experience that inspired it.
Taylor Swift’s career is a masterclass in self-authorship and resilience. Here’s how she’s paved the way for a generation of girls—including my niece—to dream bigger:
- She started young and stayed true to her voice.
- She evolved artistically without losing authenticity.
- She reclaimed her work and taught others to fight for ownership.
- She turned heartbreak into healing and storytelling into motivation.
- She built a brand rooted in emotion, connection, and empowerment.
Taylor Swift’s influence is not just cultural—it’s deeply personal. It’s in the way young girls talk about their dreams, build their businesses, and show up in the world with confidence. She’s shown how not to sell out or follow trends to be successful, and that being an emotional, ambitious, and expressive woman is not only acceptable—it’s powerful.
The qualities that make her a good role model for young girls are that she's smart, confident, kind, and in control of her own story.
Swift’s latest era may be about the life of a showgirl, but its impact reaches far beyond the stage. It’s inspiring young girls to become creators, leaders, and entrepreneurs. In my niece’s case, it’s turning beads and her favorite songs into a business of her own—one that gives her the freedom to buy what she wants, when she wants. Because when girls catch a glimpse of themselves in the spotlight, they don’t just dream it—they start building it.
