Analyzing the Impact: Taylor Swift's '1989 (Taylor's Version)' Delves into 21st Century Female Friendships

Taylor Swift. Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Taylor Swift could construct a majestic fortress from the multitude of bricks hurled in her direction. Coinciding with the release of her album 1989 (Taylor’s Version) on Friday, October 27, the talented 33-year-old musician included a prologue to acknowledge and contemplate the relentless criticism and examination she endured from the public throughout that specific period in her life.

According to a full version published in Today, Swift revealed that in the 1989-era, she made a conscious decision to exclusively spend time with women. She explains that this choice was driven by the realization that any interaction with a man, even a platonic one, would be misconstrued as a romantic relationship. Swift states, "And so, I made a commitment to avoid socializing with guys. I decided not to date or engage in any behavior that could be used against me by a society that claimed to empower women but consistently judged me based on antiquated moral standards." She goes on to say, "I committed myself to focus solely on my personal growth, my music, and cultivating strong female friendships."

Swift recalled thinking that altering her conduct would spare her from being excessively examined. Yet, this strategy swiftly boomeranged. "Perhaps if I solely socialized with my female companions, individuals wouldn't be able to create sensation or sexualize it, right? As it turned out, I would soon discover that people were indeed capable of doing so," she expressed.

She further added, "Maybe a woman who fosters a circle of female friends during adulthood is compensating for a scarcity of such companions during her formative years (and not establishing a dictatorial hot girl clique)."

There were rumors in the early 2010s that Swift and her close friend Dianna Agron were dating. Swift seemingly dedicated her hit single "22" from her 2012 Red album to Agron, along with her longtime friends Selena Gomez, Ashley Avignone, and Claire Kislinger. However, Agron later denied these romance rumors during a May interview with Rolling Stone, stating that the stories about her dating life were completely untrue and found them amusing.

Although "22" may not inherently have a romantic connotation, Agron emphasized that she was not the source of inspiration for Swift's songwriting at that time. She clarified that the dedication in the record's cryptic liner notes was more a result of their friendship rather than being the muse for the song. Agron stated, "I am not the right person to answer that question. I cannot make that claim!"

She further expressed, "There is an abundance of false information circulating out there. It's the strangest thing you learn in this industry—refraining from commenting on untrue things, as it only amplifies them. Perhaps towards the end of my career, I will write a book providing detailed insights into what was truly real and what was not."

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There is another theory that has been commonly suggested by a group of Swift fans known as "Kaylors," who support the idea that Swift and her former best friend Karlie Kloss were once in a romantic relationship. However, Swift's representative dismissed the rumors of them being caught kissing as false in 2014. Despite a apparent falling out between Swift and Kloss around 2016, the model attended Swift's Los Angeles Eras Show in August, accompanied by her husband, Joshua Kushner.

Swift's close friendships with women became a subject of debate when 1989 was first released. Critics accused the Grammy winner of cultivating a shallow group of friends, referred to as her "squad," as showcased in her music video for "Bad Blood," a song targeted at her former rival Katy Perry. In a 2019 interview with Elle, Swift clarified the significance of maintaining a strong inner circle during that period.

"Despite being an adult, memories of sitting alone at lunch tables, hiding in bathroom stalls, and being laughed at while attempting to make new friends still haunt me," she expressed in an essay for the publication. "In my twenties, I found myself surrounded by girls who desired my friendship. I joyously proclaimed this achievement, sharing pictures and reveling in my newfound acceptance into a sisterhood, oblivious to the fact that others may still experience the same isolation I once did. It is imperative that we confront our longstanding issues before they consume us completely."

Swift further disclosed that many of her friends from that period have naturally grown apart as a result of the changes that come with maturing and outgrowing certain relationships.

"Being in our early twenties often brings people together, forming groups that feel like our chosen family. These connections could last a lifetime, or they could simply be allies during an important phase. It's bittersweet, but sometimes as we grow, we outgrow certain relationships. Along the way, we may leave behind friendships, but the memories will always remain."

However, this doesn't mean that Swift has completely abandoned her squad. While she may be more low-key in her friendships now, she has been seen hanging out with A-list women like Gomez, Lively, Hadid, and Turner in recent years.