It Is Literally Impossible To Be A Woman...

I'll wait until everyone finishes groaning...

There is a massive double-standard when it comes to female celebrities, especially in music. They're called bad parents for being on the road too much, only for fans to complain when they take time off touring to focus on having or caring for children. They're told to speak up about important topics, only to get shouted down when they do.

Taylor Swift told fans how important it was to go vote.

She didn't endorse a candidate, or say anything about which party to vote for, or comment on the current state of politics in any of the countries where she said this. She didn't even say that if you don't vote, you can't complain about the consequences of you not voting.

She just told her fans to vote, and in a country where voting is optional, even a percentage of those fans voting couldmake a difference.

Not even an hour later, the headlines were full of people from the average politician to Joe Average with a Medium account, complaining that Taylor should shut up and stay in her lane.

Football fans called her a bad girlfriend for not showing up at her boyfriend's games, then complained even louder when she started to show up, because Taylor was "a distraction" when the camera focused on the WAG box for less than a minute total.

Men on the internet posted about Travis's Game Bonus and called Taylor a Gold-Digger, despite her net worth being Orders of Magnitude bigger than his.

When Taylor and her boyfriend went to visit a Zoo that has a huge focus on animal conservation, PETA dominated headlines complaining that they weren't adopting shelter animals (that they'd need to leave behind or put through extensive quarantine before taking home anyway...)

When the Eras Tour broke records, Media Headlines popped up claiming that she performed "Satanic Rituals", and male country singers who haven't been relevant for decades pulled out population statistics for why they totally pulled bigger crowds, when you adjust for comparison, half a century ago. Old male politicians went on Fox News to proclaim how they would never date her (as though they were even options)

Give the woman a break! No one can be all things to all people, and Taylor is wiser to have stopped tearing herself into pieces trying!

Taylor Swift is that rare thing: an ethical millionaire.

Yes, she had wealthy parents who let her afford to kick-start her career. Nearly all musicians who make it beyond playing at their local bar do. It's a requirement if you want a career in the Arts without multiple day jobs to pay the bills.

Taylor Swift, like Dolly Parton before her, spends obscene amounts of money trying to make life better for other people.

During a cost-of-living crisis, she made million-dollar donations to food banks in every city she visited on tour. The roadies, technicians, set-up crew, and everyone else who worked with her to make that tour happen got six-figure bonuses on top of their paycheque.

When a woman died in yet another mass shooting leaving an event Taylor happened to be in attendance at, Taylor reached out to the grieving family (Despite headlines that would have you think she was somehow responsible) and single-handedly funded the funeral costs.

She didn't do a press release about it either. The only reason the world found out was because some people went digging into her finances to 'prove' that she was just another entitled rich girl.

I was an early latecomer to Taylor's music. I've always been picky about the music I listen to; i may like one particular song or album from a musician, and nothing else, or I may buy everything they produce, or enjoy a completely random selection.

I discovered Taylor Swift through her "Love Story" single, which I enjoyed as a reimagining of Shakespeare (BTW, go see "& Juliet, if you haven't already) and bought the Fearless album, then forgot about her for a while.

I admit to liking her earlier music more than some of the more recent albums, but I still enjoy her music, and I love how she literally has a song for everything from broken friendships to shitty breakups,to high school reunions, awkward social situations.

I love that she's writing the music she wants to write, and not giving a damn about what anyone says.