First, an update from Team Swifty headquarters (not really) about Shark-gate 2015. During Taylor Swift’s concert in Massachusetts over the weekend, a mysterious Left Shark made a surprise appearance as Swifty sang “Bad Blood.” Considering Katy Perry famously sang at the Super Bowl surrounded by flailing and meme-worthy sharks, many believed that Swifty was throwing some well-timed shade at her nemesis Katy (especially after Katy threw a punch at Swifty last week). Well, a Swifty superfan would like you to know that it’s all JUST JOKES from Swifty’s tour crew and they’re always doing funny stuff behind her. Like, waving a lobster.
UGH MEDIA WHY ARE YOU POSTING ABOUT THE SHARK? IT WAS A PRANK! THERE WAS A LOBSTER SHOW 1 AND A SHARK SHOW 2! pic.twitter.com/7aIK7wBMaR
— Jillian (@Swifty448) July 27, 2015
Sure. While I’m sure the lobster did not have anything to do with Katy Perry, I have to think that the shark was totally shade-baity. Whatever.
Meanwhile, have you heard of the band Grizzly Bear? They’re an indie band from NYC. Their lead singer is Ed Droste. And he hates Taylor Swift. In tweets last year (that he deleted quickly), he made some references to an unnamed pop star who was “terribly calculating and mean.” On Sunday, he took to Twitter again to throw some shade:
Obsessed that people are catching on pic.twitter.com/tFe2a1EVAe
— Edward Droste (@edwarddroste) July 26, 2015
And then it became a free for all as he tweeted responses to people who agreed with him and some Swifty-loonies who now think he’s the devil. His responses ranged from “ummmm she’s been given a free pass for too long. Plus, first hand experience… I have a whole other story to tell, still feels unsafe tho. She frightens me genuinely.” There’s a lot of back and forth, so just go to his Twitter to see what his tweets.
Incidentally, Spin did a rather spectacular wrap-up on the ongoing backlash against Swifty. Go here to read.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN.
Who? I mean, I’m pretty sure Taylor is a brat, but this seems like someone looking for attention by feuding with a bigger name.
So now anyone that isn’t A list can’t speak about others? He didn’t tag her, he’s just tweeting his opinion. Didn’t Diplo kind of day the same thing? That he has stories but he’s genuinely afraid of her/her team. So intrigued. But I hate that if anyone speaks badly about her, her fans come out in waves. Give me a break.
Ed might not have Swift’s level of stardom but he has a huge following among college students and young twenty somethings. Grizzly Bear is well known and makes great music so he definitely isn’t doing this for more fame.
With Diplo and Ed Droste receiving attention for criticizing her, I wonder if she has especially pissed off indie musicians, or if it’s just that everything about her receives more attention…?
@Elyse I totally agree.
She acts like a high school mean girl, who doesn’t have the emotional depth to deal with break-ups and social interactions. Both her fans and her team intimidate other artists.
I honestly can’t see why she dominates the charts. Her teeny boppy whine-fests are getting a wee bit old.
Hopefully her star will sink a little soon and she will become a little more humble.
Right? Same language was used. Interesting. Wish he’d spill the tea though
Taylor may be a mean girl but cmon….she’s pretty harmless and not intimdating at all. I don’t like her at all, but to consider her a threat is laughable. I’d say taylor has 5 more years tops before another young blonde blue eyed petite girl comes and takes over. It always happens. Wash rinse repeat.
She’s like a Kardashian of the pop world, at this point.
@Dee of course they’re not intimadated of her physically, come on. I think they mean professionally. Just tweeting that statement, a statement he didn’t even tag Taylor in, caused him to receive thousands of hate tweets from her rabid fans. She got someone fired from VS for dare saying something negative about her. The girl is powerful is the music industry.
You’re underestimating her, Dee. And by her, I mean the team of thousands that are behind her. She is the music industry at this point. If someone is threatening the machine, they’ll get squashed like a bug to keep Taylor on top. Taylor’s image as the perfect every girl is paramount to her success.
Dee please reconsider
She sues her own fans. How is she not intimidating? Just because she uses a team of $1000 per hour attorneys to destroy those she feels are a threat to her brand and empire doesn’t make her harmless or not intimidating.
Oh, she strikes me as the creepy stalker type. And the shark was no accident. Emotional maturity of a seventh grader.
She’s ruthless lol. She kicked that Victoria’s Secret girl of the show, jessica Hart. Just because she said Taylor didn’t really fit in (the 2013 show). She threatens to sue Etsy-sellers for their selfmade Taylor-items, she get’s Apple to its knees and so on. She acts all innocent, but in the mean time….
So Dee, she got Tim Cook and Apple to back down, and you say she’s harmless to the Ed’s of the music world? Seriously?
So having a bigger name automatically gives a person an immunity? Only people from the same class shall dare to comment and the peasants must go away? 1) He is far more talented and musically trained than she is 2) if she mistreated him in any way – as he alludes here, he has a right to talk about it as any other person would 2) he does exactly the same thing as we do here – he didn’t go to the tabloid or write a tell-all book, he made comments on Twitter without even tagging her name and criticized her hypocrisy like we regularly do here on CB and other people do on their own social media accounts 4) It’s not like his Twitter is all Swift all day long – his more recent comments are abut Trump, Cosby and Putin but that topic was picked up by the media because it’s “in” at the moment.
“Who?” and “She rejected him” – always the go to responses when it comes to someone more popular being criticized.
His criticism is as valid as anybody else talking about her. Probably more so because he has interacted with her and works in the same field as her and likely knows people who interacted with her. (Also, he’s gay and pretty popular in the indie scene so those two arguments don’t really apply here as much as people want it to.)
No one gets to Swifty’s level without ruffling a few feathers but she’s been problematic all along – attacking other people (in the name of expressing her feelings through song – a fine endeavor if she was less obvious about her human targets) while playing victim, to her commercial benefit, when anyone even looks at her the wrong way. So I’m not shocked to hear she is unpleasant. What’s shocking is it took so long for people to figure it out and for still others to realize it.
I love Grizzly Bear but I’m actually with Lunchcoma on this-I really wish he would stay out of it. It’s annoying to see talented musicians get roped into this teenage drama nonsense. Sigh.
On another note, she’s an ahole for mean-girling Grizzly Bear!! lol
Maybe she did something harmful to his career? This doesn’t hit the level of Cosbyness, but if she is F-cking over lesser artists, why should they have to shut it?
Definitely agree with that sentiment, Kitten. Giving her any attention is pretty much feeding her popularity. But if he’s already getting involved (maybe he’s an oversharer lol), I don’t think “Who” and “He was rejected by her” are the appropriate reactions here because neither truly apply.
Those reactions give off the impression that one can’t genuinely dislike another off of a personal experience (which he has alluded to before), off of something another may have done wrong – it has to be motivated only by jealousy or thirst of her popularity.
I read this article last night that cleverly discussed Swifty and her passive aggressive nature, and how she uses both her songwriting and songs to meanly attack others (exes/girls who’ve done her wrong). It was an interesting read for sure, and deconstructs many parts of her persona.
Definitely worth a read!!!
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2015/06/22/revenge-of-the-nerds/
I think you posted that on in response to my comment on yesterday’s article and I just wanted to say thank you!
@Kiddo-But he didn’t tell the story because he claimed it he’s geunuinely scared of her. So he’s not actually bringing anything enlightening to the table, you know? I just think he’s too good for this. I’m actually upset that she might have done something to him though..I know this is just gossip, but iEd Droste is my age and from Boston and has always seemed like such a good dude. Ugh.
@LB_I’m laughing at the “she rejected him” stuff because he’s gay FFS.
@Littledarling-Thanks for that. Sigh. I’m beginning to really dislike her. Ugh.
I’m waiting for her to throw it all away for some indiscreet affair ala Me-Ann. Eddie, your next target is ready for you.
@Little Darling
You forgot to add Professional film critics, they too got a revenge song written by Swift for daring to say she is a good writer but poor singer. She of course couldn’t let that go. I don’t blame this guy for fearing her, along with the songs many, many people get paid based on her success. They will blacklist you if you come for their meal ticket.
However I do wish he hadn’t said anything at THIS time because it will start to appear like a pile-on on an “innocent” “poor girl” especially when attacked by a male and we will have another round of Kanye induced sympathy and rewards for SWIFTY. You gals know the backlash to the backlash is coming. LOL.
Kitten, yeah I clicked ’cause I thought there’d be real tea spilled. From now on, the overexposed swift is relegated to the kardashian thread mentality; no-clicky.
The Eternal Side- Eye said it perfectly below:
“Saying “But why are all these unknown people talking about her?” Just feeds into her mentality that the most popular person wins.”
If, instead of considering his points, we automatically take the conversation to “Who??” … That’s another boost to Swifty’s ego which is in no need of boosting. That means she’s still little miss popular, and that’s all she cares about. That’s like telling Regina George that yes, Cady Heron really is a fugly slut. You’re so right, Regina.
Exactly, and let’s be logical.
Swift isn’t going to be a bitch to Beyoncé or even Rihanna. One has a larger fanbase than her and the other is perfectly comfortable calling her out if she ever got whiff of shade.
If Swift was going to let her guard down and be rude or callous it’d be to someone she thinks doesn’t matter. I trust the smaller names for that reason, because they’re more likely to feel the impact of her and be honest than someone who has to weight their PR obligations and if they can risk the ire of Saint Swift.
Well, Grizzly Bear may not be as famous as Taylor Swift but their music is 1000 times better and they’re real artists, whereas Taylor Swift is largely a PR product. I would rather say she has no right to criticise them, at least from the artistic point of view.
Omg how ridiculous is this, a bunch of pop brats, from the music industry acting like some highschool mean girls, grow up, you have fame, money and most importantly HEALTH, grow up!!!!
Tweet about relevant things, the world has too many issues and not enough voices, use it for good dumb asses
I wish I could +1 this response. Nice work Fee.
+1 who who who? NVM, dont care.
Thirsty! Some rando in a band didn’t get a hug and now he’s milking the mystery of the story. Is the backlash to the backlash here yet because this is really boring.
Nice going on the free publicity indie dude. Not that I think he’s totally lying or anything.
Grizzly Bear has a pretty big following! Most of his fanbase will not be enthused that he has opinions on Taylor rather than being above it all, but I sort of love it when people start ill-advised mudslinging battles. What’s in it for him? Pop people will think he’s thirsty; Taylor fans will not start listening to his music and will probably start trolling him; his fans will not be impressed by him knowing/working with Taylor (soooo plebeian). Sounds more like he couldn’t keep his mouth shut even if it was a better strategy.
Wish I had seen your comment before I posted mine above.
“Sounds more like he couldn’t keep his mouth shut even if it was a better strategy.”
Yup. This times a million.
Wish he would have just let the kiddies play in the sandbox.
@senna: THIS.
I think it’s a total publicity ploy. He says that he’s “genuinely afraid” to stir any sh** . . . as he’s actively stirring sh**. In my experience, the people who have “bad stories” about someone but won’t share specifics are the lying, shady, and thirsty ones.
I agree, well said!
SWIFT OVEREXPOSURE.
I agree. She gets away with a hell of a lot.
So, is that guy in the blue shirt Ed? Betcha Ed would take the $ and run…
Can I get a bowl of amen and two cups of hallelujah? I don’t even care if he’s attention-whoring (I don’t think he is, personally), I’m just SO HAPPY the world is finally calling this mean, manipulative woman-child for what she is.
YAAAASSSSSS *waves the church Fan*
*steals the church fan to cool myself off because the holy Swift-backlash sprit has me all hot and bothered*
I love you two. That is all. *pours lemonade and hums amazing grace*
Preach it!
Exactly. It’s like everybody wants the victims to be “mature” and say nothing, while the “spoilted little brat” abuses everybody and tries to sabotage careers and relationships. wth people?!
It’s like Anne Hathaway all over again. Public opinion doing that 180. You know, minus tumblr because this is some grand conspiracy to take their princess down.
But Anne Hathaway wasn’t America’s untouchable sweetheart to begin with.
She definitely wanted to be at one stage. I think that’s why the backlash was so harsh. You could feel how much she wanted to be loved and it added a whole other layer of cringe to her awards campaigning. By the end it was just becoming painful to watch, but since she got her Oscar no one was going to feel sorry for her. So all those uncomfortable, cringey feelings she elicited got turned back on her.
Oh how could I have missed that!? I loved AH in the beginning of her career. She seemed so cool and relaxed but all of a sudden something changed and she overdid the girl-next-door-act. I ignored her and totally missed the grand finale 😛
Same goes for J-Law.
I think Anne H was just super annoying and people did not like her desperation.
Kind of equivalents would be Julia Roberts and Reese Witherspoon…both once considered america’s sweethearts but turned out to be total biyatches. Taylor is more powerful than both ever were I think though?
+1. There’s also an element of hypocrisy in Swift’s image compared to the other “America’s Sweethearts.” Julia Roberts and Reese Witherspoon were just fake. With Swift, a lot of people bought into her image of the put-upon good girl, but it turns out that she’s acts like those she claims wronged her.
Though re: Anne Hathaway – I think people were/are too harsh on her.
Haaaaaaaaaaaa.
As for Taylor, of course she’s mean and calculating. I figured that out 3 albums ago. The only thing you can do is not support her (mostly crappy) music and let her do her. She’s starting to crack the facade a bit. Good enough for me.
This like a Shakespeare play, Et Tu Ed Who”? But really, everyone with a brain can see that she is mega calculating/image control freak. Methinks Ed being “genuinely afraid’ is a tad overmuch. but…has anyone heard from that VS model who dissed La Swift a couple years ago?
I made unladylike snorting noises at “et tu ed who”. Comment of the day here.
It’s like we joke Beyonce ate everyone black R&B singer’s career from the early 2000s before consuming Destiny’s Child in one final glorious C’thulhu glutton feast.
And then she went vegan. 😉
Regina George 2.0 lol that’s the best reference so far
Fifty years from now, business students will be studying Swifty the way they currently study Henry Ford and the Rockefellers.
You’re joking?
I mean it in a very nasty way. TSwift is all business, and there is nothing authentic about her feminist big-sister schtick.
Same thing happened with Gaga, don’t buimd your entire professional identity around a theme.
With Gaga it was all the fervent anti-bullying and how we’re all special beautiful monsters, then when her fans trashed Adele suddenly she was all silent in the kitchen.
With Swift she can pull the feminist and America’s sweetheart route…but the enemies she’s left behind are still there and odds are they’ve got dirt on her and are waiting for their shot.
Saying “But why are all these unknown people talking about her?” Just feeds into her mentality that the most popular person wins. Swift thinks if she’s got enough of the ‘cool kids’ at her lunch table then she’s the winner and life doesn’t work that way.
Commence backlash.
You make a really good point about the people not being a list that call her out. Every time someone does and the response is who it completely perpetuates the popular girl only has value status thing.
I’m sure some are doing it for attention but doesn’t mean there isn’t truth.
I second the WHO??? And, of course, why else would he jump in but to increase his exposure/name recognition? Maybe he and Camille(a?) should start dating?
Ed’s gay and married.
No need for facts and reason when instead we could all be G and go on looking ridiculous caping for some singer who doesn’t even know she exists
All I know after reading your comment, Lynnie, is that “caping” is an incredible verb and it made me laugh a lot even if it was directed at me.
No problem Senna! 😊 It really is a great word!
hey tig. just because you don’t know who he is, why is he of no consequence? i mean he’s a very successful and respected artist but no you’ve never seen him mentioned on gossip sites so it’s an automatic WHO? :/
I believe that story — those friendships don’t seem real. Not that they all don’t know what they are doing though.
Calculating, thirsty poseur. Grown man afraid of Taylor Swift, dangling a “secret” in front of the world? Taking photos of gossip mags and posting them? “Obsessed that people are catching on?” Barf.
It’s perfect, actually. Now if he doesn’t reach his career objectives he can blame it on Swifty! “I was on track to be next Elvis, but she stopped me! No, I can’t prove it, but believe me…if not for her, I’d be huge!”
Hahaha! “There is a horrible story behind my c list status, a real conspiracy. But, I’m afraid of telling it…Cough, Swift, cough! # Taytay
I don’t know. Just because he’s not a “celebrity” does not make him in need of name recognition. I’m quite sure everyone of consequence in the music industry knows exactly who Ed Droste is, since Grizzly Bear is not a random indie band, they are very well known and highly regarded. I saw them play with the LA Phil Harmonic and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2012, and it was a really incredible performance..maybe try looking them up and you’ll end up liking the music?
Why is it that only the popular people get to talk shit about Taylor? The moment someone not from her ‘caste’ speak up, everyone’s response is a “WHO?!” instead of genuinely taking in their words and perhaps trying to understand where they’ re coming from? This just perpetuates the idea that the most popular person always wins and that’s just not fair.
She is absolutely manipulative and calculating. It’s how she got to the top. I can’t stand her but this dude is capitalising.
I was going to write something similar. She is a very smart business woman, like it or not.
How do we know that? Maybe the machine behind the product is the driver. She’s definitely a heavily marketed product, I’ll give you that much.
I used to think swiftly was harmless but after much investergsting I’ve come to the conclusion she is a robot. I have a whole other story I could tell but it’s unsafe though. Lol!!! Seriously I really hope this back lash gave her a taste of reality and perhaps she should think about what she preachers or portrays, and how she contradicts that with her silly immature songs that take jabs at people.
Doesn’t he know he’s lost all his hipster cred and will be swiftly (haha) thrown out of Williamsburg for admitting to being aware of a mainstream pop artist?!
Get a life dude. Yeah, she’s gotten away with being the nicest person in the business for too long. We really can’t have all her genuine niceness ruining the stagnant pool of nastiness, backstabbing and vitriol that entertainment is known for. How dare she?!
also, Grizzly Bear suuuuucks
“Yeah, she’s gotten away with being the nicest person in the business for too long.”
Found the Swift fan.
Seriously though, pandering to her deluded fan base and pulling a bunch of calculated PR stunts to shift the focus off of her obsessive mean girl ways does not make her “nice”.
I detect no lies.
So what, she turned him down or something?
As noted above, but must be repeated…gay and married.
I don’t know Swifty so I don’t know the truth or untruth behind these back and forth comments, but I hate ganging up and the fact that successful women seem to always get a backlash when they get too big.
I don’t know how she ever got to be such a big thing, other than marketing, like a reverse Kardashian, a puritanical icon. Her music is barely tolerable, she’s a fake feminist who tosses that card out to deflect any and all criticism. It’s not that she’s a woman, it’s that she’s insufferable and marginally talented as a artist. Run enough 24/7 McDonalds and Pepsi ads and people will hate them too. Overexposure. Without merit.
But she does the same thing to others. She gangs up on them and slags them without much censure. In fact, she’s applauded for her immaturity and lauded as a great business woman and talent. Uh…no.
Just to clarify, I’m not jumping on her “any criticism of me or another woman” is anti- feminist train. I hate that mentality. There are legitimate criticisms of her, I’m sure. I just sort of inwardly cringe when I see ganging up, for whatever reason, though I have been guilty of it (I was very mean about AnnE Hathaway) I don’t like it in myself or others.
AnnE Hathaway was overexposed. People were sick of it for sure. It had less to do with her being a woman, and more to do with her perceived false ‘golly gee’ routine while being everywhere, all the time, seeking the award, but you are right, her punishment didn’t suit the crime.
It seems like, on the other hand, Swift is different in that she may actively seek to hurt people, either in the business-sense or on a personal level, while claiming to be a victim half the time, where AnnE’s only fault was her flagrant earnestness and unbridled need for validation, without meanness to others.
I hate the ganging up too, GNAT. It makes me so effin’ uncomfortable.
I can see the criticisms, more and more each day really, but she doesn’t enrage me the way she does so many.
I never got the AnnE rage either though. I reserve my extreme rage for a select few.
Yeah, I probably shouldn’t have said that. I really don’t know that much about her.
I gotta agree here too. I really dislike Taylor. She is a walking gimmick and she routinely contradicts her own image with all the hate she spews. She parades her “friends” like a damn commodity. And omg inserting herself into Nicki Minajs grievances was just the ultimate in ego. Having said that, I’ve witnessed enough “backlash” over the last few years to know that it is a phenomenon almost solely reserved for women. There so many I forgot most of them but top of mind theres Hathaway, Beyonce (I still dont get this one), Paltrow, Megan Fox. Even Caitlin who was untouchable as Bruce, is now getting a small taste of it. I expect it will be calmish for a year or so and then it will be open season for her too.
I just dont think people understand the concept of the proportionality when it comes to female celebrities.
GNAT, you definitely have a valid point about the ever-present pitchfork mentality, epically when it comes to successful women. In this case, though, I don’t feel as if I’m ganging up on Swift because I’ve had the exact same opinion for years. I’ve always found her to be lacking in talent, immature when it comes to her music and her personal life, petty, manipulative, and mean. It just so happens that members of the general public are voicing that same opinion now. I’m not saying I’m “right” here, I know I’m being petty myself. I just don’t feel like it’s ganging up when I’ve taken years to form this opinion, and even if the public opinion shifts back to special snowflake Swift I’ll still feel the same way.
Enjoy your day in the sun, Shamblinator.
😉
Actually, the way you explained it makes perfect sense to me. That’s how I felt during the all-too-brief backlash against Chris Pratt, like “I’ve been telling y’all he’s a dbag and nobody would listen!!!”
Shambles, see my response to Kiddo. I was reacting to everybody tweeting everybody about her all of a sudden, but I really don’t have the background, so I shouldn’t have assumed it was ganging up. If she actively tries to hurt people, there’s no excuse for that and people should be open about it. (Backtracks quietly off the stage…)
Thankye, Kittenacious, it’s nice and warm out here. Meow.
GNAT, no need to backtrack! I don’t feel personally affronted by your comment, I think you have a seriously valid point. I was just opening up the discussion by sharing my personal feelings. I know I myself am guilty of hating on the celebrity screw-up of the day just because. I was just sharing my own little anecdote– over here in ShambleWorld, we aren’t ganging up on Swifty, but that’s simply because we have always found her distasteful. But that doesn’t change the fact that you made a very good point. *Muah*
It does seem like all a woman celebrity has to do to get the backlash is:
-have an image or physical appearance that people don’t like
– get with someone who others don’t want her to get with (or at the wrong time)
– not be considered talented by enough people
-be overexposed
– have a negative attitude once or twice
-be related to a celebrity others don’t like
– complain about ANYTHING
– talk about a subject that people don’t want to hear about from her (like body positivity)
-be materialistic
– take selfies
I’ve been saying lately that in the world of fiction we complain about Mary-Sue type characters, but in the real world we expect famous women to be Mary-Sues in a way.
Any ONE of those behaviors will bring out torches and pitchforks for a female celebrity. All of a sudden you’ll see even somewhat liberal/feminist/progressive people making all kinds of excuses for why it’s suddenly ok to make nasty sexist comments about female celebrities who have ‘fallen from grace’ for them. With men, it seems like they have to behave a lot worse- vandalize property, assault someone, sexually abuse someone, be racist, vandalize property, be a raging douchebag, be homophobic, get a dui. etc.- in order for the backlash to really begin and for people to wish for them to fail.
But I don’t think that’s the whole story with Taylor Swift. Yes, misogyny is part of it- people have made sexist comments about her- but Taylor has also built a reputation as a hypocrite who’s not above judgy sexist commentary while getting all defensive about much tamer criticism that she thinks is about her. Plus, she has so many fans who will jump to her defense on any criticism of her character only because of sexist reasons, and because she’s successful. If someone is a secret asshole, other people who have been on the receiving end of that behavior SHOULD call her out publicly, whether they’re less famous or not.
I usually agree with everything you say, but I didn’t see anyone alarmed when Taylor was doing the ganging up.
When her fans were sending abuse and death threats to Camilla Belle, nobody said anything either.
+1000
If people really have these horrible, awful stories and hate her so much, why not tell everybody? I think Taylor just has a really aggressive management team. She IS calculating and manipulative, but I can’t see her doing these things to someone’s face and getting away with it.
I think the problem is she’s the biggest thing in the industry at this point, and the industry is already small as it is. So if someone speaks out against her she can ostracize, promote competitor acts, allow her fanbase to be rude pricks, etc.
Kind of like how Kacey Musgraves (allegedly) had to deal with Miranda Lambert’s taking her song “Mama’s Broken Heart”
I am not a Taylor fan, but this guy seems thirsty. His whole I have a story thing reminds me of Diplo, with his I have a story, but am too scared to tell shenanigans.
I’m concerned more people DON’T know who Grizzly Bear is here. Like Senna said above the have a rather large following and play a lot of major festivals.
He has zero reason to lie. The sort of attention this is getting will turn off the kind of people who like his music, so he get’s all the hate from crazy Swift fans AND quite possibly alienates a big chunk of his current fan base and his potential fan base. It’s lose-lose for him.
As for Swift, I don’t know why this would surprise anyone. Taylor’s own behavior, her own words…she’s an image obsessed control freak who manages to make herself look petty, immature and insanely creepy when it comes to guys. If that’s how she comes across when she’s carefully and calculatingly presenting herself to the world, she has to be far more insufferable in real life.
DING DING DING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This exactly. This man has nothing to gain and everything to lose. And I’m also getting pretty angry at this whole “thirsty” narrative? So just because someone isn’t as popular or as recognized as someone else, they’re opinions and personal experiences and immediately swept under the rug?
Swifty is a great business woman, she is image and pr-consciuous, so obviously she has to be manipulative. Like Madonna used to be…
Personally I find all the Katy Perry vs Swifty feud ridicoulous for both of them, they should act in a more grown up way.
And good God I really miss Mtv Celebrity’s Death Match…
Madonna was one persona though; In your face, f_ck it if you don’t like it. Swift’s image is crafted by behind the scenes money-men, and it is often in conflict, contradictory to itself. I think that is the push and pull between the real person and the heavily manufactured product.
When he says he feels unsafe, he’s probably not afraid she’s going to accost him in an alley. He’s probably afraid of her army of lawyers, publicists and crazed fans.
I always wondered why she is so popular. She’s a mediocre singer and her prancing around the stage is annoying. She seems phony to me.
+1 My feelings exactly.
Single White Female-esque?
Good grief, you people are something else! All you can blather on about is Taylor being a mean girl and you totally ignore the real story here:
Left Shark is dating Lobster!!! ZOMG!!!
Reminds me of Ariana Grande and how the singer for Death Cab, I think that was the band, shot off a tweet early on in her career about how his experience with her was so bad and she was so rude and mean. There was a lot of ‘Who?’ and accusations of jealousy from him before her own bratty antics culminated in the donut licking.
I see it with Swift. She’s got a laundry list of people she’s insulted and made into public targets a mile long. Her backlash seems rooted in her own hypocrisy and people growing tired of the sweetheart routine while all evidence points to the contrary.
Indie band front man? Sounds like a Taylor Swift boyfriend. I wonder if she made a play for him. They’re pretty big. I really like them actually, and their drummer is a big deal, supposed to be one of the most skilled in the business.
The “who” and “he just wants publicity” assumption demonstrates exactly why most of the Cosby victims did not report him. Just because someone lesser-known has a complaint doesn’t mean it’s not valid.
Just because someone is funny or pretty & seems harmless does not mean they are. The best manipulators are careful with their image, and are always calculating – they have an army of people who think they’re great. And a trail of severed relationships with people who’ve seen the other side.
I’m sure other stars esp Beyonce are the same way as far as image. Why Taylor gets alot of flack I don’t know.
Exactly, and it keeps the abuse going.
+1000
…Are we seriously comparing a grown man complaining about a female celebrity not being the pretty princess she claims to be to a man committing years of sexual assault without repercussions? Because I’d suggest the silencing of rape victims goes into a much larger set of social issues than just celebrity power plays.
I am not saying the guy is lying, but it is disturbing to me that a woman with her success is so quick to be bashed as controlling, calculating and manipulative. She probably is, but what man at her level doesn’t have the same qualities? Oh little “girl woman” stop being so mean and pipe down with your opinions and your mega stadium concerts and your “barely tolerable” music. It’s one thing to dislike her and fine, don’t like her music, but in general she takes a lot of criticism that is worded in a way that is rarely lobbed at men.
The difference is most men aren’t selling a wholesome, all-american image. She’s created a persona based on sisterhood, feminism and being the good girl when in reality she’s taking shots at anyone (usually women) who dares cross her.
That’s a fair point, I guess. But I see her selling an image just like the rest of the entertainment industry does. She’s selling wholesome while someone else is selling skanky or edgy or whatever else but it’s not the content, it’s that they’re selling at all. You or I, as celeb gossip consumers, might know Ben Affleck is a gambling alcoholic, but the average American thinks he’s an all American boy. KWIM? They’re all selling something.
They are all ‘selling’ an image. We don’t know these people’s true selves. They show you what they want to show you and it’s ALL about image, especially in music now. Image is everything. Taylor’s a huge success and I have to give her kudos for that because I don’t like her music at all (or her faux feminist image)
I can’t really think of a man who’s built his career the way she has that hasn’t been called out though.
To be clear Taylor Swift writes about people who piss her off: ex-boyfriends who dared to dump her, cheerleaders who dared to be pretty, women who dared to ‘take her man’.
Not one song, not one album, not one year. Dozens of songs, multiple albums, many years. Then she goes through elaborate effort to publicize those relationships and leave clues for all her dedicated fans to figure out who every song is for.
I actually think a guy doing what she does would have been dragged harder and sooner. It’s creepy. She gets a pass because she’s female the same way women can more casually refer to killing men because society already views them as non-threatening.
I don’t think that’s what he’s doing at all. And you’re comparing Mt Olympus to molehill. He’s only saying she’s not as nice as she’s portraying herself. His personal opinion. RIght or wrong – meh. Taylor’s selling more than her music with the rest of this… She’s been more than calculating and disruptive in her way of dealing with her own hate for people. That’s what he’s referring to.
Does anyone know what Ed ‘s beef is? I can’t even put them in the same place, much less working together.
He met her once ,she wasn’t very nice. He doesn’t understand why more people don’t see she’s a mean girl.
Maybe because he was a jerk? People who have met ED have also commented that he isn’t a nice person.
I was giving a brief synopsis. I don’t if either of them is nice or not.
I read through part of an ontd post and their guess is that they met through the haim sisters somehow. Someone also mentioned that bg had an item about this but I can’t find it. Granted, didn’t look that hard. Oh well. Let the wild speculation begin.
the fact that she is calculating is the only thing i like about her
: )
Now she needs to grow out of the ‘shading people’ stage.
While i feel this topic is so over-discussed… don’t play down that Taylor Swift right now is the #1 top female artist and literally can run music industry, so to say she’s just a mere girl with no pull is BS. Be real people. And I have to say its been clear since Tina/Amy said “hey Taylor, maybe you should just get to know yourself for awhile first” – Taylor’s response was of a girl not dealing with a full deck. Taylor has proven to be malicious, calculated and petty at the very least. The friend-dom and now back to boyfriend 5.0, its all planned for her. Go listen to those lyrics, its screams of someone who never takes ownership of her place in any relationship females or males when they have differences of opinion.Then she acts out a big calculated public torture as a way to deal with personal grievance. She’s crey yo. That said, lets move on. She’s not gonna learn this lesson ever.
Scary world we live in, with so much hate and judgement. I find it funny that a lot of people are bashing Taylor Swifts music and yet she is the best-selling artist currently. What makes your taste in music so much better than others. People like music to make them feel good and connect emotionally, obviously a lot of people connect with Taylor Swifts music. Ed Droste is an indie artist that made his dislike for Taylor that goes back years. Looking at some of his tweets from 2012, we see his frustration for not getting nominated for a Grammy and makes a snide remark about Taylor getting another Grammy nomination. I’m going to assume his bitterness has more to do with jealousy than anything else. I also find it disturbing that his immense dislike of Swift as a 32-year-old guy for someone who was 21. No one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes, including Taylor. She has acted childishly at times and not perfect but then we all have.
He’s 36 actually…which, yeah. I love him but it’s weird that he’s engaging in Twitter drama with a 25-year-old.
I don’t think this is mere jealousy on his part–there’s a bigger story there. It does seem like he’s betting sucked into this petty sh*t though. I really wish he would just come out with whatever he has to say instead of being vague and leaving so much room for speculation.
Yeah, can we talk about the fact a man close to his 40’s is getting involved in this? Even if Taylor truly was the fakest, meanest, most deplorable little bitch in the world… why would a grown up man want to get involved in her crap?
Oh, I’m sure there’s something! Here’s my suggestion: “Hey Tay, you know me, yeah? Listen, I thou-” “Oh hi! I’m really sorry I don’t recognize all my fans! But, because I’m sugar and spice and all things nice, I won’t call for security, even if you touched my arm right now! No, I will SIGN YOUR GUITAR, there, you lucky boy! Bye!” High pitched scream, bleach on guitar, bitchy twittering, etc, etc.
Grizzly Bear??????
The only complaint I have about Taylor Swift is that she’s let fans aka strangers into her NYC home! I know you want to be approachable but that’s not wise girlfriend!
Grown up man getting involved in girly high school dramas. Sigh.
I was just about to post something similar…like, totally!
Whether she’s a ‘mean girl’ or not is really not relevant. At the end of the day, she is a business-woman who is making oodles of money. It would not shock me in the least to learn that she really ISN’T made of cotton candy and kittens and rainbows inside…and that is perfectly acceptable to me.
Ditto.
Taylor Swift has mean eyes. I’ve always believed she’s a Grade A B-tch in real life.
She really does:
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/25/article-2706040-1FFB1E8A00000578-48_306x423.jpg
I’m here for the T swizzle draggage.
So many interesting artists out there and we get her milquetoast pop rocks shoved down our throats.
I’ve recently been enjoying Haim’s debut album and all its retro 80s synth pop funk goodness.
How disappointed was I to find that Swift already had hwr claws on Haim! Wikipedia says they went on vacay together.
Ugh.
Your right there are so many great interesting artists out there but again, as individuals we all choose what we want to listen to, and no one shoves anything down our throat.
Obvisoully you haven’t heard interviews from Este Haim to get a glimpse of her personally. She seems to be a talented, strong, outspoken women who doesn’t follow anyone but herself so your comment “Swift has her claws on the Haim” is beyond ridiculous.
If Taylor keeps up with the antics, she may find herself iced out by her industry peers. It will be high school all over again.
I was surprised when I saw his photo, I know him more from his photography on Instagram. Still has a photo from when he attended Solange’s wedding. Not quite the common peasant some commenters here think. I should think he would probably have heard a few tales as well, given who he’s worked with.
I do not think anyone at the top of any industry is completely nice or at least does not employ people who are not nice. So if he does not explain exactly what he thinks is wrong with Taylor I do not really think this was news. And I do not think it is impossible for someone to be completely nice and genuine about some things but be very harsh business wise and around acquaintances so this does not mean Taylor’s persona is completely fake either.
Not sure who is worse: the juvenile celebrities, who never grow up anyway (trust me I live in LA – its a sickness) or the people who fuel these fires (Us).
definitely feel dirty now.
Back when Kanye West ruthlessly and pathetically stole a teenaged girl’s thunder, and then people abused her for making romantic mistakes- FIRMLY team Swift, in an almost fiercely protective way. Now, it all just needs to stop. but it won’t. No one in Hollywierd who is successful (or otherwise) has to ever grow up.
At least She’s not a meth-head like Britney. She’s still a great role model (as far as celebrities go) for the kids.
I watched the video when the shark appeared and it totally looked like a joke on her. Not something she planned. Also, who is this person who is criticizing her? Never heard of him.
It was planned, since it happens every show.
I’m just uncomfortable with Haim being “besties” with T swizzle.
They can do better
And why does she have to collect every artist anyway?
I don’t know who he is, but I’m definitely #TeamDroste
*eye roll* I am well aware of the kind of person it takes to dominate the fame game the way Swift does. You aren’t telling us anything I wasn’t already aware of, buddy.
If he’s so afraid of her industry power, why would he actively engage in stirring shit up in a public forum? Doesn’t that contradict his entire point?
So the backlash against a pretty, insanely successful, female – in – control pop star has arrived.
So boring that it’s the old ‘manipulative/evil/mean/scary’ trope.
zzzzzzzzz Rock on Taylor! Keep them angry!
I’m so ready for her 15 minutes to be over.
shes a friend collector…I knew girls like this in high school. She acts like them and she’s 25. End of Discussion
Droste is so JEALOUS of Taylor Swift! He is a middle aged man who is picking on a younger, (MUCH more) attractive, successful singer SongWriter.
His jealousy started when he was put out that he did not get nominated for any Grammys in 2012. Look at the embarrassing tweets showing his insecurities over a talented and charitable young woman:
http://pitchfork.com/news/48851-grizzly-bears-ed-droste-upset-about-grammys-justin-vernon-reminds-him-grammys-are-bullshit/
He is an egotistical grade A AssHole. Everything he is complaining about he wants to be. Meanwhile he disgustingly and humourlessly boasts about all the connections he has from all his moneyed Acquaintances. NOTHING MODEST ABOUT THIS OLD MAN! He seems to live off all the money he family has made. What does he have to show by comparison of his own accord?
What a despicable human being he is.