I guess someone’s Adele-sulk is finally coming to an end. Thank God! Taylor Swift posted this photo on her Instagram yesterday with the caption, “Making friends on Hamilton Island.” Of course she included a bird in the photo, because she got slammed in the New Zealand press for filming a music video on a beach that turned out to be the habitat for endangered Dotterels (a kind of bird). So now Tay-Tay has to position herself as a bird-lover. Swiftspiracy!
And that’s not all. Taylor is officially rejoining the unsulky world by letting everyone know about a very special good-deed. As it turns out, Taylor isn’t hanging out on Hamilton Island by herself – she gifted her 125-person crew to an all-expenses-paid vacation on the island.
Taylor Swift’s epic 1989 World Tour is coming to an end Dec. 12 – the day before her 26th birthday – in Australia. And despite having much to celebrate, the singer says the festivities will be quiet this year. Swift addressed all the birthday buzz in an Instagram post of her band and crew after taking the group on vacation to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, to thank them for helping make the tour a success.
“So stoked to be able to take my band and crew on a vacation at the end of a long and wonderful tour,” Swift wrote. “For all their hard work this year, they really deserve it. Thank you to Hamilton Island for taking such great care of 125 of the people who work tirelessly to make sure the 1989 World Tour stage gets built, the lights are on, the costumes are made, the guitars are tuned, and the show goes on.
“Aussie press, I love your enthusiasm but my birthday isn’t for 2 weeks and it’ll be a quiet one this year. Let’s take it down a notch:)” (Reports included Swift flying her squad of famous pals and boyfriend Calvin Harris to Australia to celebrate.)
For what it’s worth, Calvin was and possibly is with Taylor during her New Zealand/Australia tour. Some sources claimed he was with Taylor last week, while she was filming her music video. And even if he left briefly, I suspect that he will be flying in for her birthday on the 13th. And I suspect some of her squad will come out too. Maybe not Karlie Kloss, but perhaps Selena Gomez? As for the all-expenses paid vacation for her crew… good for her. Genuinely, that’s really nice.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet, Taylor’s Instagram.
For all the flak Taylor gets on this and other sites… I really believe she is a nice person. Sure she will have some insecurities and relationship issues but she often does sweet things. Don’t tell me it is good press – of course it is, but then why don’t all the other celebs out there do that? Taking all your crew on vacation is super nice. Stopping your car to pose with a teen fan wearing a Taylor shirt is nice. Inviting fans over, thanking them for their gifts – nice.
As for the bird issue, I am not sure why she gets blamed for that – she has a huge crew, they got permits allowing two cars, whoever was in charge of the shoot messed up. But because it all happens under her name, they issued an apology and made a donation – all the right things, unlike the recent incident involving dogs, a scarfy star and his spoiled wife who went on blaming the local politicians for taking action rather than apologizing for her law breaking. Quite a difference. Don’t you think?
I really like your comment Vauvert.
I’ve always thought people generally see themselves in other people, so it actually is disappointing when so many people are rude about her—it’s sad that there are so many people who get off on spreading bad energy about someone like her for no reason other than they believe her success and likeability is somehow a personal attack on their way of conducting themselves. Believing that Swift would be anything but supportive of Adele is really bizarre to me. Her strategy is to have a longterm career in this field—she knows her pop stardom is going to be a limited chapter in her life. I think that’s why she works hard to build positive relationships with her colleagues in the industry. The majority of musicians, celebs, and people think she’s a great person. I’m more inclined to believe them.
But it’s the same pissiness people have towards Anne Hathaway and Kate Middleton. It can’t just be sour grapes. It’s too intense for that.
” people generally see themselves in other people ”
…..that goes for her and her blind-item breakup songs too, you know.
It’s a shame that so many people on here don’t like her and get off on spreading bad energy hcgcufuvjv….lmfao, say WHAT? I can’t tell if that was penned by the Feminine Morality League or at some New Age hippy revival meeting. Seriously, maybe some people find her to be a hypocrite and an immature bully who preaches one thing and does another, all the while sobbing that they’re the real victim here! Also, celebrities spin their own PR and claim that they’re adored by cast and crew. If you want to believe that that’s the truth, okay, but it’s no different than believing every other planted comment and story. Why not believe Katy Perry?
THIS^^^
This x1000. It really annoys me that Celebitchy is so rude to Taylor most of the time. Makes me like the site less and less.
Because the hate is like Charlie Sheen-level OTT. The criticisms about her pick-and-choose feminism are spot-on, but when you see commenters criticizing her for (THE HORROR!) doing something nice for her crew or her fans or donating to charity…um yeah, that’s when it starts to seem pretty ridiculous.
PS–My boss just gave me $100 for my animal shelter road race because it’s a tax write-off and we’re getting to the end of the year. I’ll be sure to check with the cats and see is they’re upset about his motivations for donating, but I have a feeling they’ll just be happy for new blankets and more Friskies.
Completely agree! Very well said Vauvert!
But why does she have to tell us she is taking her “125” person crew on vacation? Can’t she just do a good deed and shut up about it? Telling everyone about your good will means there are other motives for your good will. As always, it’s to make herself look good.
I’m sure the hardworking crew that get to relax, party, and vacation on Swift’s dime don’t really give a crap about her motivations.
Yes, but does she have to tell people about it? That’s my problem with Taylor swift. She does several things that are nice- this trip, sending presents to her fans, etc. But she always has to let people know about it. It always makes me wonder, would she still do these nice things if the press wouldn’t find out about it?
Also, I’m legitimately shocked that people actually believe that Taylor/Calvin are dating. It’s so fake, it’s actually cringe worthy.
Does it matter though? Do you think a cancer patient cares if the world knows that Taylor Swift visited her in the hospital for the purpose of image-crafting? Or is she just stoked to meet her idol?
I don’t think it’s wrong to point out the underlying PR pay-off that comes with celebs doing charity work but I also don’t think what motivates them really matters in the end. What matters is that a person/people are benefitting greatly from that celeb’s donation.
I think if Taylor Swift wanted to donate $$$ to assist the feral cat program at my favorite animal shelter it would be awesome–wouldn’t GAF if she Instagrammed every second of it and wouldn’t GAF if she did it for tax breaks or for her image.
*shrugs*
This so much!!! totally agree with Kitten.
Yeah, it does matter, at least to me (which obviously means nothing in the grand scheme of things). The donation of money is one thing, because that’s helpful no matter what. But yeah, if I was dying and my last wish was to meet a celebrity, I would hope that they wouldn’t want to turn it into PR or only go because it looks good. I would hope they go because they’re human and my story reached out to them emotionally. When her every good deed becomes public because of her own team or Instagram, it comes off as insincere and try hard and it rubs me the wrong way. Why can’t people do nice things because they want to be nice? Why does everything have to be part of publicity nowadays?
@Allie- You sound a lot like someone who has never been in a position of need. I’m really hoping that if you’re dying of cancer that you wouldn’t be worrying about a celeb’s PR motivations–that would be a skewed sense or priorities to say the least. But I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t be. I know the flood and tornado victims Swift helped didn’t seem to care what her motivations were, at least not enough to turn down her donations. But then again, when you’re in position of desperation, you’re just thankful for the help and complaining and nitpicking is a luxury you can’t afford.
I think the smiles and pure elation of the faces of the cancer patients she visits should be enough proof for you that they’re not too concerned about Tay-tay’s motivations either.
There’s plenty to criticize about Taylor, but her charity work is not one of them.
@kitten If I was dying, my last wish wouldn’t be to meet a celebrity. But I’m trying to think of if my child or sibling was dying and the person they wanted to meet was using this as a publicity gain. I’d be happy my family member was happy, but also I’d be seriously pissed off. Listen, the end result of any type of charity is great, but when a celebrity has to constantly tell me things that should be more private, it becomes insincere to me. I understand that you’re a fan of hers, and while it’s great that she does donate to charity, I will ultimately criticize anyone who does it for a reason more than just because they want to be a good person.
@Priya You’re more inclined to donate because a celebrity endorses it? I feel like your priorities are little skewed. You should have your own thoughts and interests and beliefs, and donate to causes that need more help or ones that are close to your heart. I’ve never donated because of a celebrity. I get it might increase the spotlight on said organization, which is great, I’ll admit.
So the dire need of the one receiving charity invalidates the fact that the giver may have self serving motivations? That doesn’t make logical sense.
Also you’re assuming monetary donation here. I’ve always found it weird and invasive to publish photos of yourself with an ill or dying person to enhance your own image. Just ew.
@Allie-I assume your dying wish wouldn’t be to meet a celebrity (nor would mine) but you’re also not an 8-year-old, I presume.
I shouldn’t have to clarify that at 37-years-old, I’m not a “fan” of Taylor Swift (only her cats) but I will just to emphasize that this is my OBJECTIVE opinion and I feel the same way about every celebrity or person who makes a charitable donation. Doesn’t matter what motivates them because the money still ends up where it’s supposed to.
What about people who donate to make themselves feel better? Isn’t that self-serving on some level? Do you criticize them as well or is it ok in that situation? What about some of my friends who raise money for charities and talk about their donations on social media? Does that somehow make their contributions unworthy or are they allowed to be proud of helping out?
@We are made of stars- “So the dire need of the one receiving charity invalidates the fact that the giver may have self serving motivations? ”
I’m saying the NEEDS or the receiver trumps the motivations of the donor and it even (shock!) trumps what you or I think about that celebrity’s motivations for donating. I made that more than clear in my comment. In other words, whatever it takes for someone in need to get theirs–THAT is what’s important.
Also, I’m assuming you guys level the same criticism to every celeb that donates? You think their donation is worthless because they ALL do it for good PR, or only Taylor because you don’t like her? Now that to me doesn’t make logical sense to ME.
I’m more inclined to donate to a charity if a high profile celeb has donated to it. It increases the credibility of the org because you know that Swift’s business people have most likely vetted it as a legitimate place to donate.
There are too many shady 501(c)(3) orbs out there. Taylor Swift donating and knowing that she did influences other people to donate. That’s just how it is.
This alone is such a huge benefit–behooves the charity by giving them more exposure.
Yes, because no celebrity has ever donated to/been associated with a charity that was in hot water for the way in which it ”utilized its funding.” Many high profile charities actively court the wealthy as donors. You need to use your own discretion and do your own due diligence instead of assuming that celebrity sponsorship is always a sign of a shining halo.
Yeah, look at PMK’s “charity.”
Or you could just NOT donate to the Kardashians’ charities, because why would you support a celebrity you don’t like or trust?
Saying that a celebrity’s donations motivates you to donate is very different than saying that you throw money at any charity that a celeb backs. Implied in Priya’s comment was that she donates to celeb charities using her discretion, like we all do.
I tend to agree with Allie to an extent, and want to point out something ironic. The Kim Kardashian donates (and always has) 10% of every dollar she makes to charity. You don’t see her publicizing it all the time or posting about her charity work all over the place, and she could stand to use that goodwill for PR more than Swifty. Obviously her heart is in the right place. The Kardashians and TSwift are a little apples and oranges, you can’t compare them exactly, but i think it’s an interesting thing to note.
So if a person gives 10%, it’s because their heart is in the right place? It’s called tax deductions.
Mhmmm…10% straight to PMK’s “church”! Some donation!
Oh I didn’t see your comment. I just said the same thing. Do it and shut up about it.
I’d rather go home than on vacation after a tour that long but maybe that’s just me.
Yeah, I’d rather go home to my family and recover with them!
I love my family. But a sunny island with cockatoos everywhere, all expenses paid? I’d whisper to my spouse over the phone, “I wish I could come straight home, babe, but I don’t want to insult the boss…”
I love my family but.. it’s Hamilton Island. And free. And there’s Skype.
Apart from photos of NSW politicians at her concert and her stopping for the little girl in Sydney, has there even been any press about her tour in Australia? I must be following the wrong news because I don’t know what “Aussie press” she is referring to when she tells them to calm down. My house has an almost 3 year old Swfty Early Warning System who runs in circles yelling “TaylorTaylorTaylor!” at the sound or sight of TS, so I would definitely know if she appeared on tv.
Hamilton island is full of friendly cockatoos. When we where there we got plenty of pics with them. They fly onto your balcony,
or come sit next to you if your sitting on a bench. Not dismissing that it could be a photo to counteract the NZ bird fiasco, but it’s possible that it was just a cute pic.
I want to go there….
Me too!
I love cockies so much. A huge flock lives in my neighbourhood and I regularly see them using my neighbour’s flag as a swing. Destructive but oh so funny.
Where are Olivia Benson and Meredith Grey? Is Calvin watching them?
I just can’t help but feel like everything that Taylor does is so try-hard… Even the nice things. I just think that there’s always an ulterior motive, even when she’s doing something like take her crew on vacation. Everything is over-the-top… Usually those are the people that aren’t genuine. It’s for show.
She’s been doing this for years though. She paid for (less extravagant) vacations for 2011’s Speak Now Tour and 2013’s Red Tour. And for her band on 2009’s Fearless Tour.
I still wouldn’t turn down a free vacay, even if it was allegedly done “for show.”
I’m with you. I’m so burnt out on Taylor’s antics. I feel like she’s calculating that she has zero sincerity. That’s why I was so thrilled for Adele’s success. Firstly,Adele is a better singer but I feel like anything that will humble Taylor is a good thing. I don’t like Taylor’s music and I find her tiresome.
“she’s calculating (…) she has zero sincerity” When you calculate, you’re being yourself, aren’t you? I think she has really bad social anxiety; she doesn’t know how to be spontaneous, that’s not the same as “real” or “honest”. Some people are over thinkers; it doesn’t mean they think on how to please NO MATTER WHAT. I remember Lena Dunham saying that she never had a friend as toughful; that if she had an important thing some day she could count on Taylor sending her an encouraging mail; or a congratulations bouquet or something; and that kind of thing doesn’t happen unless she literally “took note” an put the event on her calendar;and btw, that’s how 98% of people remember birthdays and aniversaries; sometimes people put the reminder it a week before to have time to buy a great gift; is that dishonest??
Taylor just cannot win. She does something nice and every screams try-hard. No need to be cynical of such a nice gesture as an expense-paid vacay for all her crew. She was wiling and able to treat them for a job well done. Sheesh!
I would really love to see people refusing a fancy all paid vacation courtesy of Taylor Swift…
Don’t know why exactly, but I have a soft spot for Swift. I really wanted to take my daughter to see her in concert, but she didn’t come to Portland. 🙁
As far as taking her crew on vacation- it just seems like a genuinely decent thing to do. Can you see Madonna doing that? I can’t…… I know Swift is kinda crazy, but she seems harmless.
I think if Angelina had done this for all the people who worked on By the Sea, the comments here would be very different, imo.
Does Taylor like to be liked? Yes. Is it awful that she does nice things? Can’t find fault with that, though don’t get me started on the whole squad thing.
I don’t know about that. That comment accusing her of looking like she tries too hard—AJ has had to deal with similar accusations too. It’s admirable that both of them learned how to dismiss those comments.
Girls in junior high have to deal with those insults too. “Molly is such a fake” is such a familiar mischaracterization lobbed at girls by other girls so often, and it’s sad that some women don’t grow out of tween angst.
What? No. Some people remain fake into adulthood and anyone calling that out isn’t doing so because of “teen angst.” They’re doing it bc fake people are disingenuous assholes. Maybe it’s just me but I don’t like hanging around liars, no matter their age. *shrug*
paid vacation, even with the boss’s presence? sign me up!
it’s just like most corporations. i don’t find anything wrong with giving your employees a much deserved vacation. my company does this too, although at a smaller scale (no exotic island locales). but for the last few years, the boss doesn’t come with us anymore, maybe he knows how awkward it is. but we do enjoy it and doesn’t look at the company badly for it.
after stories about how artists are divas and abusive on set it’s nice to read about artists who give some kind of perks to their employees.
Keanu Reeves is also one i like to hear about, sharing is paycheck with crew etc.
Would this not be considered a business expense to offset some income? I agree that everything she does is calculated, but by all means, keep giving!
Oh Honey, don’t you understand? Nobody cares.
Not sure why some people on here hate her so much that they try to spin this lovely gesture into something negative. She is a rich boss who likes to treat her employees for a job well done. So what if it got in the press? Hard to keep it a secret when arguably the biggest pop star in the world right now brings 125 people on vacation to a far-off land where the local press is apparently stoked about it.
Wouldn’t turn down a free vacay. Conversely, I’m sure she is perfectly nice but nonetheless she irks me. Not everything is sparkles and unicorns, which is part of her carefully crafted image. That doesn’t mitigate her charity work by any means, I just appreciate it so much more when people don’t announce their good deeds with pomp or fanfare.
This isn’t something special Taylor’s doing, often the vacay is built into contracts. Most performers who do this level of world tour pay for their crew, dancers etc. to have a break somewhere nice along the way. They’re very rarely the ones truly paying for it, so why not.
It’s a nice thing, but it’s also expected at this level. Aging rock bands tend to pay for everyone to go home when possible since their employees skew older and most have families at home, but the gesture is the same.
A lot of celebrities do immense charity work behind the scenes. I know Charlie Sheen and Leonardo Dicaprio are two that don’t get PR for their philanthropic work.
I’m not a religious person but this one parable would always stick out to me when I thought of charity work. In short, it told that the man that prays alone with no intention to validate his doings is more sincere than the man praying out in the world for everyone to see how holy he is.
Just my take on things.