The latest documentary on Netflix, “Miss Americana”, looks at a closer view into Taylor Swift’s career, experiences and personal life. Originally released on Jan. 23 at the SunDance Film Festival before reaching the public on Jan. 31, his film has received a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and has become the highest rating Netflix-original biographical documentary by an artist in IMBd history. Not only does it show the day-to-day struggles of a pop artist facing constant criticisms from fans, media and other celebrities, it also sends a larger message to young adults trying to find their voice, passions and identity amidst a society of continuous judgment.
In the beginning of the movie, Swift is filmed going through her old song books, explaining that the main theme throughout her early singing days went back to the idea of being a “good girl.” To her this meant ensuring everyone approved of her image; clothes, makeup, performance and what message she would give to her fans. She explains that her career was dubbed by fans and media approval and one shot at this could ruin her confidence. In fact, after Kanye West interrupted Swift after winning a VMA award, this is exactly what happened. Swift explains that after this diss in 2009, she went into a psychological spiral of self-hatred, doubt and frustration. She was so used to trying to please a crowd that when she heard a roar of “boo’s” she didn’t know if this was against her or against Kanye.
After the VMA Awards situation, she wanted to make a statement about her name. Although this time came with great success musically, she still felt she was doing everything just to prove herself in society. When she won an MTV Video Music Award, she felt she had reached a peak with nowhere else to go. Swift was so driven by a want for revenge that she let this override her true love for singing and songwriting. After her 1989 album, she described the next year as a full year of disappearance. During this time Swift describes she was focusing on finding herself, not on what others wanted her to be.
In the most recent years of her career, Swift feels like she has finally found her voice. Once afraid to speak about politics, have more weight on her body and be afraid of what people thought about her, she came to a realization that those things were not what she wanted her career to be.
“Miss Americana” tells the story not only of the successful career of a celebrity, but the personal battles that a young female growing up in the United States deals with everyday. Throughout Swift’s career, you can see different changes in her performances, her identity and how she presents herself. These reflect the same conflicts that young women constantly face. There are concepts of beauty that are ingrained into the mindsets of people and they project these onto celebrities even more intensely. Women are supposed to be seen as subordinate characters in society compared to men, less provocative, nicer and more quiet. With her newest album, “Lover” Swift completely combats these stereotypes proving that women should grow into whoever they want to be, not the mold that society has created for them.