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If her post on Instagram in support of Kamala Harris came as a relief, the singer is not an activist for minorities. Two researchers Marie Assaf and Marie Melody Vidal are trying to understand the political ramifications of the Taylor Swift phenomenon.
par Marie Assaf, doctor in political science et Marie Melody Vidal, doctoral student in anthropology, EHESS
For several months, part of the world has been beating to the rhythm of Taylor Swift’s songs. The American pop star shatters all records: CD sales, international tour in packed stadiums, audience on music streaming platforms, awards… She redefines the codes of contemporary music so well that, everywhere, Taylor specialists Swift emerges in order to grasp this phenomenon and its political ramifications.
On Instagram, her only personal social media account, Taylor Swift chose to express her support for Kamala Harris. For the “Swifties”, this message, posted thirty minutes after the end of the debate between the Democratic candidate and Donald Trump, is not really a surprise, but it came as a relief. And confirms a trend: since his documentary Miss Americana in 2020, she takes militant positions, in favor of the rights of women and the LGBTQ + minority, going against the smooth and conservative image that some could still give her.
This documentary discusses, for example, her support for Phil Bredesen, Democratic candidate in the 2018 Tennessee State Senate election, where she lives. According to the singer, the Democrat more embodied the Christian values to which she is attached, far from the hateful speeches of her Republican opponent. She also expressed her wish to be part of “right side of history”. At the time, Taylor’s team questioned the impact
Belgium
