These days, it seems like everywhere you turn, you’ll probably see Taylor Swift’s name. The singer’s ascent to stardom has been gradual over the last decade, but the recent surge that has propelled her to the position of possibly the most prominent music artist in the industry is truly remarkable.
When you include in the fact that she is dating NFL star Travis Kelce, you can see why the media is obsessed with her. That much is evident from the last several months, when Swift’s name was in every major newspaper around the globe.
The 34-year-old has become one of the most talked-about figures at the Golden Globes this year, which may not come as a huge shock.
Taylor Swift attended a Golden Globe event in Beverly Hills, California, with her film Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour nominated. However, comedian Jo Koy made a joke about her, which was heavily condemned after the event, highlighting the common practice of hosts making fun of the crowd.
“We came on after a football doubleheader,” Koy stated as he introduced the two journalists. “The major distinction between the NFL and the Golden Globes is…” There are less photos of Taylor Swift at the Golden Globes.
Both Swift’s immediate reaction (the singer merely sipped her champagne and maintained a nondescript expression) and the remarks made by her legion of fans were uncharacteristically positive, even though Koy’s joke was obviously about Swift’s new relationship with her boyfriend Travis Kelce.
“I’m so sick of them coming at me again, ‘cause if I was a man then I’d be the man”.
Barbie & Taylor Swift both grossed a billion dollars in 2023, & men still have the audacity to make misogynistic jokes towards anything successful if a woman made it. I’m so fucking tired. pic.twitter.com/B4nPdXW60W
— Sarah (Taylor’s Version) (@SarahBelles23) January 8, 2024
Although Koy’s joke infuriated many of Swift’s fans, it paled in comparison to the New York Times op-ed that raised the question of whether Swift was a secret gay person.
Both “in poor taste” and “unethical” were the words used by a CNN source supposedly familiar with the matter.
“No male artist whose sexuality has been questioned by fans would have been allowed to have this article written about them,” the source claimed, referring to Shawn Mendes in particular. Some journalists will write anything about Taylor, no matter how intrusive, false, or improper it is—all while hiding under the term “opinion piece.”
Critics argue that speculation about a celebrity’s sexuality is unacceptable, but it’s likely that Swift’s recent success has made her less concerned about her critics.