You Need to Calm Down, the colourful new music video from Taylor Swift, features various drag queens, RuPaul, Ellen Degeneres getting a tattoo, a gay wedding, a protest, a groundbreaking âbeef-freeâ make-up with Katy Perry, Billy Porter, Laverne Cox, and so much more. The songâs catchy beat and summer theme make it video sure to bring joy.Â
CNN said the music video may be âTaylor Swiftâs most political move yet.â
1. A âbeef-freeâ make-up with Katy Perry
Perhaps one of the most widely-known feuds in recent pop-culture memory, the music video finally put the feud to rest as French-fry-Taylor and hamburger-Katy smiled at each other and hugged.
This meal is BEEF-free #MeatFreeMonday đâĽď¸đ #YNTCDmusicvideohttps://t.co/m2kA0mZgQe pic.twitter.com/yKYmnTxBy5
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) June 17, 2019
2. Drag queens as pop stars with RuPaul
YNTCD featured various drag queens as some of the worlds most famous pop stars. Tatianna (as Ariana Grande), Trinity The Tuck (as Lady Gaga), Delta Work (as Adele), Trinity K Bonet (as Cardi B), Jade Jolie (as Taylor Swift), Riley Knoxx (as BeyoncĂŠ), Adore Delano (as Katy Perry), and A’keria C Davenport (as Nicki Minaj) were all included in the video.Â
3. Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita renew their vows
The beloved star and his husband Justin Mikita renewed their vows, just for Taylor. The vows were officiated by Ciara, because why not?
4. Laverne Cox and Billy Porter being legendary
Laverne and Billy were must-includes in this video.
#YNTCDwatchparty #YNTCD seeing @theebillyporter was one of my favorite parts! đđâ¨đ pic.twitter.com/drNVyuJD7o
— Itâs me, hi! (@s0cialistswift) June 17, 2019
5. Todrick Hall
Todrick, who co-directed the music video with Taylor, added so much fun. Taylor tweeted to thank him:
Just like my life, this video was co-executive produced by @todrick đ¸ pic.twitter.com/AObdtkYl0w
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 17, 2019
6. Queer eye cast
The beloved cast, including Antoni, Karamo, Bobby, JVN, and Tan were featured sipping on tea and eating desserts with Taylor.
7. Ellen getting a tattoo from Adam Lambert
Ellen Degeneres joined the music video to get a tattoo of the words âendless summer.â
Iâm proud of @TaylorSwift13 for making this video. Iâm proud to be in it. Iâm proud to be a member of this community. Happy #Pride. @adamlambert #YNTCDmusicvideo https://t.co/UJXRBXRtE0 pic.twitter.com/3x0OxNhNnF
— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) June 17, 2019
8. Quotable lyrics
Some lyrics from the song include:
- “But you’re takin’ shots at me like it’s PatrĂłn / And I’m just like, damn, it’s 7 AM”
- “Cause shade never made anybody less gay”
- “Like can you just not step on his gown?”
- “Comparing all the girls who are killing it/ But we figured you out/ We all know now we all got crowns“
9. Taylor linking and supporting all the guests
Taylor took to both Twitter and Instagram to link her co-stars social media and told her fans to “Stan/Follow/Support.”
Stan/Follow/Support! @rileyknoxx @RuPaul @VancityReynolds @tanfrance @TATIANNANOW @todrick @trinitykbonet @TrinityTheTuck #YNTCDmusicvideo
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 17, 2019
10. Call to action
The video ends with a message that directs viewers to Swiftâs Change.org petition to the US Senate to support the Equality Act, which would outlaw LGBTQ discrimination nationwide.
11. Acknowledgement from Cher
Cher tweeted to acknowledge Taylors inclusion of the iconic quote, âMom, I am a rich man.â Â
When you have a song about being calm and the video has a Cher quote in it and she posts it so henceforth you are not able to be calm anymore đ https://t.co/YGG0LyY4Kw
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 17, 2019
The video has been met with hesitant cheers. Many people, including Vox and the Atlantic, have questioned whether or not Taylor is using queer culture to create a profit for herself. But, she has also been praised for her diverse selection of queer stars and her insistence that fans both donate to LGBT+ charities and write their senators about the Equality Act.Â
© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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