A lengthy opinion piece in The New York Times that delves into speculation about the s----lity of music sensation Taylor Swift has ignited a firestorm on the Internet.
The 5,000-word column, featured in the newspaper's opinion pages, has drawn criticism on social media, with some users urging the publication to retract it.
The column, authored by Anna Marks, the editor of the opinion section, suggests that Taylor Swift might be sending subtle signals to her fans about being "queer," despite publicly identifying as heteros---al. While neither The New York Times nor Swift's representatives have responded immediately to an AFP request for comment, a person close to Swift, speaking anonymously to CNN, described the column as "invasive, disingenuous, and inappropriate."
Marks weaves a narrative highlighting instances where Swift allegedly hinted at being "queer," employing metaphors such as "dropped hairpins" to emphasize the cumulative effect of these signals. Marks contends that these instances in Swift's art predate the marketability of queer identity to mainstream America and convey a message to queer individuals that Swift is one of them.
This is not the first time Marks has engaged in speculative commentary about celebrities, having previously published a column speculating on Harry Styles' gender identity and accusations of "queerbaiting." Chely Wright, a queer country musician and activist, found the essay triggering, criticizing The New York Times for publishing it and expressing discomfort with discussing the s----lity of public figures.
Despite the controversy, Swift continues her successful "Eras" tour and maintains her skyrocketing stardom. The 34-year-old singer has been openly dating NFL player Travis Kelce, frequently drawing attention to football games' viewership. Swift's love life has been a constant subject of media scrutiny, linking her to high-profile figures such as Tom Hiddleston, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Joe Alwyn.
While Swift has advocated for LGBTQ+ rights and addressed media assumptions about her relationships in interviews, she has not publicly identified as "queer" or homos---al. The New York Times column has sparked a broader conversation about the media's role in interpreting celebrities' personal lives, with opinions divided on the validity of speculating about a public figure's s----lity.
