How can I ever try to be better. An Editorial.
Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot.
My apologies for the bad aftertaste of that last post, Taylor Nation.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, read the last Rumor Control. Now we move on to deal with the fallout. Why? Because in some people’s minds, Taylor is guilty no matter what. That includes a lot of the media. If you want to talk about character assassination, snippy articles have been written about the Sparkly Dressed for a long time. She’s been attacked and condemned (and call endless names) already. I don’t know who among us would be able to handle all the pressure, but I for one would’ve quit trying a long time ago.
Taylor Swift has had her flaws. Not every one of her song has been constructive, and some of her lyrics in the past have gone into slut shaming territory (see: Better Than Revenge). I’m aware she doesn’t like to be called calculating but she’s very business savvy. She’s a workaholic. She values her image and how she is perceived to her fans. She’s lived most of her life on stage and having interviews. As she has grown up to adulthood, she’s no stranger to life in the spotlight. She’s expected to deal with shit like this all the time, and there’s a good chance she’s dealt with even worse without us knowing.
I’m going to be very honest with you, Taylor Nation. I’ve become a little disenchanted with the music industry. Famous doesn’t mean wise. Famous doesn’t mean even mature, as it has been proven time and time again. It’s funny (sad) how little talent is there in being Famous. But at least I would expect some manners. Then again, that’s what I expect from everyone. Instead, it seems everyone wants to make a clusterfuck out of every feud. Maturity level is dropping below sea level at this point.
When all is said and done, we still have the Blonde With The Sparkly 1989 Microphone. Still standing. Perhaps a few people will decide not to buy her records or get tickets or stop voting for her at fan awards. If people make up hashtags and/or write internet memes and it becomes cool to hate Taylor, then other people feel compelled to follow the trend. Me, I remain a long standing citizen of the Taylor Nation. However, I’m cool with people who don’t like her. Honest. But hatred is a different thing and an ugly thing at that.
There’s a lot of things going in the world because of hatred. Violence. Mass shootings. Bat shit crazy people both in positions of power or aiming for positions of power preaching hatred. And people follow them. It then falls unto us, us meaning the people who think, feel, act and give a damn to be better. We gotta be the bigger person when everyone else is running around with their brains turned off because there’s nobody else. I don’t blame you if you want to give up and move to Canada. I already moved to Canada and I’m still hearing about it.
Remember you have the right to look for your own happiness.
In the meantime, you can find me blogging about Montreal’s Fantasia Film Festival 2016 over at NeverThinkImpossible.com.
Coming up next in the Calendar:
- October 22: Taylor Swift headlines a special concert at the Formula 1 US Grand Prix.
Rumor control: A phone call in twelve clips
Sorry, Taylor Nation. This is not going away. The bitter pill is better swallowed quick, so we’ll be swift here.
First of all, the facts we know. Kim Kardashian recorded a call between Taylor Swift and Kanye West. The call was about Kanye’s upcoming song, Famous. We have not listened to the entire call. What we have heard so far is twelve separate Snapchat posts from that conversation. In one of them Kanye says a line from his song that includes the “me and Taylor might still have sex” line. This clip only has Kanye. It does not include Taylor’s voice before or after. Another clip has Taylor thanking Kanye for calling her before including a line about her. In another one, she’s talking about something just been cheeky. People have tied along the clips together in the order that Kim posted them and posted that as if it was one thing. Nobody has any proof that the clips are in order. The line about calling Taylor a bitch and making her famous is not included. None of the sound bites have the beginning or the ending of the call.
Second, Taylor’s camp has never denied the call exist. They state that Taylor has not heard the song. Taylor herself has denied ever hearing the line about being call a bitch and being made famous. Taylor’s people also stated Taylor did warn Kanye about the misogynistic message. No clips have been posted about that.
Third, the implications for Taylor. The implication for her is the perception that the clips constitute approval. If so, she lied about not approving the song. Some believes this carries forth to Taylor’s Grammy acceptance speech. The speech alludes to “some people” taking credit for your accomplishments or fame. This results in tarnishing Taylor’s name and image.
Fourth, the implications for Kim and Kanye could be legal. According to the Digital Media Law Project, it depends greatly on where the call was made. California state wiretapping law requires the consent of both parties. New York state wiretapping law of just one. Kanye has recording studios in both California and New York. Taylor has houses in both California and New York. If both of them were in California, mutual consent was needed. If both were in New York, K&K are off the hook. If one of them was in one state and the other in a different one, then this becomes a legal conundrum.
That’s it. No speculation.
Coming up next in the Calendar:
- October 22: Taylor Swift headlines a special concert at the Formula 1 US Grand Prix.
(Sources: Digital Media Law Project)
The Weekly Rant: Taylor visits Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital… Wait, why is this a rant?
Perhaps I should call it the monthly rant, Taylor Nation.
(Source: Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital via Facebook)
Well, obviously she did it for selfish reasons and should be ashamed and go hide under a rock and never come out. Sound reasoning, let’s move o- WAIT A DARN FRIGGIN’ MINUTE.
I honestly think a lot of people in this world are in competition to prove how stupid they can get. Apparently some (and by some I mean a lot of people who looove to share their opinions in comments) think this was a publicity stunt. I’ve read that obviously Taylor must have payed these kids. Because if you’re a sick kid in a hospital, you don’t want visit- NOPE. Wrong again. Sick kids in hospitals WANT visitors. Celebs, non-celebs, anyone – go visit a children’s ward in any hospital and you’ll be happily received. Specially if you bring presents. Specially if they know you from somewhere. Or if you can sing. Or if you just want to spend some time with them. Or just help in any way. You will not be turned away.
Now it could still be true that Taylor did it for publicity. There’s lots of ways to get publicity actually. Show up at a club. Show up at some fancy restaurant. Visit some stores. A children’s hospital? Yeah, I guess but that involves spending time. And kids? You’re expected to talk to them. Taylor’s a singer (ok, not according to some of YOU but they do expect her to sing) so she sang with them. She even has songs that a few of them might even know. I’m being freaking sarcastic, of course they knew! If T-Swizzle was looking for publicity she surely picked one activity that would take time and attention.
Here’s the thing. Are you doing charity? Great! In that case, I know for a fact you don’t mind if a young celebrity shows up and does some charity work. There’s work to go around. But if you’re commenting on how fake she is or her motivation to do it or some implication on how it’s all done for show and has no value… Try doing charity work sometime. It will take effort. It will take time. You might feel great or not, but at some point you’ll realize whatever your motivation was, your assistance was needed and it was appreciated. Did Taylor do it because she wanted to feel better about herself? Guess what, it’s valid. That is a totally valid reason to spend some time with some sick kids. Do you do it for some altruistic goal? Good on you. Then you won’t mind somebody else’s motives, right?
To quote the Rock, it doesn’t matter what you think. What matters is going the distance. The motivation can be what you will. The people that benefit will be thankful regardless. Me and my soapbox will shut up now.
Coming up next in the Calendar:
- October 22: Taylor Swift headlines a special concert at the Formula 1 US Grand Prix.
While we’re at it… happy belated Canada Day too, Taylor Nation.
Here at the Swift Agency, just a guy who’s enjoyed the long weekend, I know that the paparazzi have been having a field day. Honestly, I just like to stick to the pictures where Taylor and her friends are looking at the camera rather than the zoomed-in candids that have been appeared all over social media. It’s strange that after sad news we’re celebrating independence days but it’s unavoidable. I hate to use the phrase “in the world we live in” but it’s fitting. Here’s T’s girl squad via Instagram.
(Source: Taylor Swift via Instagram)
We might not be able to change the world we live in. Not in a day. But like the saying goes, think locally, act globally. You can’t change the world alone. But you can change your home. You and a few others can change the neighborhood. Your neighborhood and others can change the city. And if enough cities change, then the nation can follow. You get the idea. Perhaps I’m too much of an optimist, but I still subscribe to the idea of changing your little piece of the world for the better, starting at the very least with bettering yourself.
Hope y’all had a great weekend.
Coming up next in the Calendar:
- October 22: Taylor Swift headlines a special concert at the Formula 1 US Grand Prix.
(Sources: Taylor Swift via Instagram)
The album is coming, Lizettes and Lizards.
(Photo: Jencita Vargas for Variety Beat)
The beautiful and talented Elizabeth Huett performed at Mount Palomar Winery in Temecula, California this past Friday June 24. Here at the Swift Agency, just a guy who’s been following this girl since she used to sing background vocals for Taylor Swift, we really wished we could’ve been there. According to Variety Beat, she put on a great show and was very open with the audience. I’m sending a most grateful shoutout to Variety Beat’s Jencita for all the pictures from the event! I’ve selected this one because it’s the one Liz chose herself.
You probably remember Liz has signed with Interscope Records and she has been working on her first album. Back during my interview with Liz in June 2015, she revealed it would probably be an EP. That could’ve changed since she signed with Interscope, so I’m curious about her new songs. That being said, we still don’t have a date. Perhaps the end of summer.
Coming up next in the Calendar:
- October 22: Taylor Swift headlines a special concert at the Formula 1 US Grand Prix.
(Sources: Variety Beat)
