Associates of Taylor Swift express disappointment over New York Times article that speculates on her sexuality: Criticized as invasive, false, and inappropriate.
Taylor Swift’s inner circle is expressing frustration over a controversial opinion piece recently published in The New York Times, speculating openly about the pop superstar’s sexuality, according to information obtained by CNN.
An anonymous source close to the situation told CNN, “Due to her immense success, there seems to be a Taylor-shaped void in people’s ethical considerations at the moment. This article, which delves into speculative territory, would likely not have been written about Shawn Mendes or any male artist facing similar questions about their sexuality.”
The source continued, “Journalists appear to have no qualms about crossing boundaries when it comes to writing about Taylor, irrespective of how invasive, inaccurate, and inappropriate it may be – all under the guise of an ‘opinion piece.'”
The New York Times’ 5,000-word article, penned by editor Anna Marks and featured in the opinion section, intricately linked numerous LGBTQ references found in Swift’s songs and performances. Marks suggested that Swift may have been subtly signaling her affiliation with the queer community for years.
“In isolation, a single dropped hairpin may seem meaningless or accidental, but when considered together, they form the unraveling of a ballerina bun after a captivating performance,” Marks wrote. “These dropped hints have been present in Ms. Swift’s artistry long before queer identity became marketable to mainstream America, suggesting to the queer audience that she is one of them.”
While Swift has previously championed LGBTQ rights and positioned her concerts as “safe spaces” for the community, she has consistently denied being a member of the LGBTQ community. In a 2019 interview with Vogue, she stated her goal was to be a supportive ally.
The article also highlighted Swift’s past comments on speculation about her romantic relationships, including her prologue in the re-recorded “1989” album, where she discussed surrounding herself with female friends to avoid sensationalization.
Criticism of The Times’ decision to publish such a speculative piece on a public figure, especially one who has denied previous insinuations about her sexuality, has surfaced. Marks acknowledged the contentious nature of the topic within the article, anticipating objections and stating, “I know that discussing the potential of a star’s queerness before a formal declaration of identity feels, to some, too salacious and gossip-fueled to be worthy of discussion.”
Despite the criticism, a spokesperson for The Times declined to comment directly on the concerns raised by Swift’s associates, referring instead to Marks’ written response within the essay.
