We all have that one artist that we turn to when something happens to us. It could be the moment your crush finally asks you out, or the split second after your significant other admits that they don’t want to be with you anymore. Whatever the scenario is, there is one artist that we constantly relate to and get their aid by just putting on our headphones.
For me, that artist is Taylor Swift. I have been a superfan ever since I heard “Love Story” on the radio. She was someone that I “related” to, even though I was still in middle school and thought that her romantic problems were similar to what I was going through. I know, it’s embarrassing.
As she’s grown up, I have been doing the same beside her. I remember staying up until midnight to listen to Red for the first time, and running home after school to watch the live stream for the 1989 album release. I remember every moment when I turned to her music, whether it was because I was developing a crush on a guy or needed to shake things off. Pun intended.
Being a fan of Taylor Swift meant that I got to witness the hate that she consistently got throughout her career. From comments on her being a “serial dater,” to playing the victim in the Kanye West incident and overall being annoying to the majority of people around her. I’ve seen it all unfold, but I know for a fact that everyone with a social media account and the common knowledge of who she is could see every rock that was being thrown at her.
When Taylor Swift announced that Netflix would be releasing a documentary on her life, I was excited about two things. One, I would get to see who she really is aside from the cameras in her face. Two, everyone would hear her side of the story, her struggles and obstacles that she has graciously overcome.
Whether you adore Taylor or not, here are three reasons why you should watch Miss Americana:
- Taylor discusses her eating disorder
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Amongst the many things that Taylor talks about in this documentary, the one that hits the hardest is the moment when she talks about her eating disorder. The main thing that led to her body dysmorphia, and then to her eating disorder, was the way the media talked about her body. Taylor registered comments on how she was able to fit into sample sizes in fittings as “good.” On the other hand, she registered comments on how she looked pregnant in certain photos as “bad.” Taylor admits that she would stop eating completely.
Anyone with a pulse can understand why this is the most vulnerable Taylor Swift has ever been. Underneath her red lipstick, videos of her cats and the hits that she continues to make, there is a woman who had to overcome an eating disorder that controlled her life for a long time. This isn’t her being the “victim,” this is her being human.
- TayLiberal
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One of my favorite moments in this documentary was when Taylor Swift addressed her political stance. She completely disregarded Marsha Blackburn as “Trump with a wig,” during the 2018 mid-term elections. To be honest, my mouth has been dropped since Taylor posted on Instagram about her political views, but it was refreshing to see how she came to this point in her life. She admits her regret for not participating during the 2016 presidential elections, but wants to be “on the right side of history,” from now on.
I felt like a proud friend watching Taylor go against her father in this scene of the documentary, and I hope you do too.
- Taylor Swift Grows Up
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The themes of growing up and maturity are some of the main themes of this documentary, and for all the right reasons. Taylor admits that she felt stuck at the same age as when she became famous. She begins to toss her immaturity out and begin the process of actually growing up. Prioritizing things, keeping her relationship private from the world, finding happiness on her own terms and not everyone else’s input.
This can all be summed up in the most iconic scene of the entire documentary when Swift says:
“I’m trying to be as educated as possible on how to respect people, on how to de-program the misogyny in my own brain. Toss it out, reject it and resist it. Like, there is no such thing as a slut. There is no such thing as a bitch. There is no such thing as someone who’s bossy, there’s just a boss. We don’t want to be condemned for being multifaceted.”
Miss Americana was an hour and thirty minutes of many things. It was difficult to see someone that I looked up to go through so many things that I wasn’t entirely aware of. It was heartwarming to see her finally happy in her life and coming into her own. It was inspiring to watch Taylor take a stand on what’s important in life. I could go on and on, but you can only understand if you sit down and watch it. I hope you do.