Taylor Swift is at the top of her game. Almost 20 years since her first album was released, she has shown no sign of stopping. Arguably, she also has one of the largest fanbases in the world, although there are many other artist fanbases with the same level of dedication and intensity as the Swiftie community, but hers seems to be ubiquitous. It cuts through generational lines and has no particular demographic leanings, although she has a lot of female fans. So, why is Taylor Swift so popular?
Brian L. Donovan, a sociology professor at the University of Kansas, teaches a class called "The Sociology of Taylor Swift" wherein he breaks down the reasons behind her popularity and how that has impacted culture. One of the main things that draw people into Taylor Swift is her songwriting. Most of her songs are drawn from her personal experiences and relationships, and they are conveyed in a way that makes them feel relatable on an almost universal scale.
Dr. Gayle Stever suggests that part of Swift's success can be attributed to the motivations that drive fans to become devoted to a particular artist, band, or cultural icon. These include talent, physical attractiveness, and role model qualities, which she says Swift embodies. However, despite her fame and success, it's difficult to avoid the pitfalls of having such a dedicated fanbase. Some may feel entitled, others may consider themselves 'more of a fan' in a hierarchical way than others, which can be exhausting to deal with.
Still, the love of fans for Swift continues to grow and has remained strong throughout her career, and there are no signs of it ceasing any time soon.
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