Taylor Swift is My Role Model

Right before any big exams at high school, I usually spent fifteen minutes walking down the hallway, from the school yard to wherever the exam will be held. In the past years, I used to have the feeling of overwhelmed before exam, that I was not going to do great even how hard I had prepared for the exam. There would be nerves and overthinking things building in my head and then I start to play out worst-case scenarios. Later then I learn to just not pay it any attention. In those fifteen minutes before exam, I put my headphones on and I played some Taylor Swift. My go-to stress-relief jam is usually Shake It Off, and after several hums of “I shake it off, shake it off, I, I, I…”, I am bobbing my head and feeling better already. It is largely the lyrics, but it is also the singer’s voice – Taylor Swift’s voice. So i'd like to talk about Taylor Swift as my role model in this essay.

For at least the past ten years, Taylor Swift has been my favorite artist and role model. I listen to every song she has ever released, and dozens she never officially did. I have been humming the lyrics of her songs everywhere, at the bus stop, in the shower or while grocery shopping. I have followed her for over 10 years. I love Taylor Swift not only because of her music and talent, but also because of her influence beyond music, the way she spread her message about the power of women, her kindness, generosity and her dedication to the fans.

Taylor Swift represents true feminism and is an inspiration for young women today. She is the first woman to win album of the year at Grammys twice. At Grammy while accepting her award for album of the year, Taylor sent a strong message to all the young women out there that there are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishment. But if you just focus on the work and you do not let those people sidetrack you, someday, when you get where you are going, you will look around and you will know - it was you, and people who love you, who put you there. She speaks up about the inequality and standards in society. She receives hates and criticisms about what inspires her to write songs and many people would try to sum up her music and simplify it by saying that Taylor Swift is just write songs about boys and break ups. I think that all she wrote about in her songs is just about to love and be loved, being lonely and being happy.

She puts her true emotions into her songs. They are genuine and written from the heart. Her lyrics are relatable as she sings about things that most people can relate to and they can feel a strong connection to her music.In an interview, she pointed out that “a woman writing about her feelings” is considered “over-sharing or whining,” while a man who does the same is “brave.” Taylor stated that feminism is probably the most important movement that you could embrace, because it is just basically another word for equality. She shared that successful women like herself are being “held back” by society because they’re “threatening.” But as people have been witnessing through her career and her success, she does not let other people bring her down. Nothing can stop her from getting to stand on the stage and singing song that she wrote for the audience, people who love her.

Another thing that I love about Taylor is the way she treats her fans, not like an idol to a fan but as family, as a friend. She keeps on going out of her way, shared moments and create memories with those who brought her into their own lives. Before releasing her album 1989 four years ago, Taylor invited some of her fans to her house to listen to her work before officially releasing it. This shows how much Taylor as a singer and an artist truly values her fans, as well as their opinions about her music. She knows how would it mean to someone who receive a simple message or a package of present from her, or get invited to her house. It is her genuine way to show how sincerely thankful she really is. She is able to make her fans feel special and that their relationship really does go both ways.

Taylor Swift is one of the most kind-hearted and dedicated people I have ever known. In 2012, she wrote a song dedicated to Ronan Thompson a four-year-old boy who died of cancer and named it after his name. The lyrics of the song Ronan are based on blog posts written by Ronan Thompson's mother. From reading this blog and following the story, it had inspired her to write the song as she thinks what Ronan’s mother has been doing is amazing, to bring awareness to childhood cancer. After releasing the song, Taylor decided to give all profits from it to the Ronan Thompson Foundation and other cancer charities.

With each new album Taylor releases, her growth, talent and maturity continue to shine. It is no secret that her ability to write and perform is incredible. But it is her influence beyond music were she truly shine. Her impact on my life and I imagine many others’ go beyond her musical talent. I found her because of her music, but I stay with her because of her character. Taylor once said being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind. And I believe that is exactly what she has been doing.

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