Taylor Swift has attributed to her boyfriend, Joe Alwyn, the inspiration to start getting involved in political activism in recent years.
After remaining remarkably apolitical for most of his career, Swift broke the silence in 2018 ahead of the midterm elections. At the time, she released a lengthy Instagram post encouraging her millions of followers to vote for Democratic candidate Phil Bredesen, who was running for the Senate against Republican candidate Marsha Blackburn in Tennessee.
Speaking to Vanity Fair in a recent interview, Swift says it was the ability to speak up about her political views with her boyfriend, as well as with other friends and family members, that gave her the courage to finally speak publicly.
TAYLOR SWIFT ON DON’T WANT TO BE A POLICY FOLLOWING THE DISPUTE OF DIXIE CHICKS: ‘TERRIFIED ME’
Taylor Swift has become a politician in recent years.
(Evan Agostini / Invision / AP)
“As a country musician, I was always told it is better to stay out [politics]”Swift said to the channel via email.” Trump’s presidency forced me to stoop and educate myself. I found myself talking about government, presidency and politics with my boyfriend [actor Joe Alwyn], who supported me in speaking. I started talking to my family and friends about politics and learning as much as I could about my position. I am proud to have overcome fear and doubt and to endorse and support the leadership that moves us beyond this moment of division and heartbreaking. “
THE DIRECTOR PASSED ON TAYLOR SWIFT FOR THE ROLE OF ‘LES MISERABLES’ FOR THIS REASON
Although Swift’s endorsement led to an increase in voter registration, Blackburn ended up defeating Bredesen. Seeing that defeat, as well as the defeats of other Democratic candidates, such as the loss of Stacey Abrams to governor in Georgia and the defeat of Beto O’Rourke in the Texas Senate, was devastating for the singer. The consequences of her first public political defeat were addressed in the documentary “Miss Americana”, which also covered the artist spilling those feelings in the political anthem “Only the Young”.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
Taylor Swift said that Joe Alwyn helped inspire her to speak politically.
(Images by Jackson Lee / GC)
“I didn’t want the defeat and hopelessness I felt for the future of our country to get the best of me. I didn’t want to cry,” she told the channel. “I wanted to hope. Writing ‘Only the Young’ helped me get over that moment in my life and gave me the hope to continue to fight for what I believe is right.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Since then, Swift has been less shy about speaking politically and recently noted that she hopes that the release of the track will be a call for a future mobilization of her fans.