New Taylor Swift music video met with a mixed reaction of praise, shade and humour

New video from Taylor Swift featuring queer artists has created a mixed storm of backlash and celebration on Twitter.

Entertainment . Written by Michael Kuhl.

taylor swift stands in front of green trailer in pink fur and sunglasses

Yesterday, GCN reported on the new music video from Taylor Swift entitled ‘You Need to Calm Down,’ citing 11 of its best moments.

Ever since the music video has been released, there has been a charged reaction, some celebrating Swift and also some raising serious concerns with the intentions and contents of the music video.

To start, here is a selection of tweets praising the colourful new video and defending Taylor:

Pop star and trans icon Kim Petras took to Twitter to unequivocally show support to Taylor:

Change.org noted the success of the petition that Taylor Swift promoted at the end of her video:

These Twitter users noted that Taylor seems to face backlash no matter what she does:

It was also noted that the biggest concern of Taylor Swift might not be money:

https://twitter.com/mitchferrino/status/1140667199125774336?s=20

This user pointed out that the star’s incomprehensible power is being used for good:

Next, there were some serious concerns taken with the video.

The Atlantic, in an opinion piece, said, “The singer’s pro-gay single strangely compares her struggles with fame to more dangerous kinds of persecution.” It also noted that oppression is more than just “shade.” 

https://twitter.com/elcush/status/1140703444451258368?s=20

Vox criticised Taylor’s use of Pride to make a profit, which muddles its good intentions:

This user also noted commodification of queer culture, specifically drag culture:

People also criticised classism that painted poor people as bigots and erased queer poor people, while also ignoring that homophobia can take hold in high places in society:

https://twitter.com/adelinewv3/status/1141003112452435971?s=20

https://twitter.com/CMBYNmafia/status/1140620483143974915?s=20

It was also noted that some visuals used in the video were a rip-off of Beyonce’s 2011 ‘Party’ music video, which also featured trailer-park-in-summer vibes:

https://twitter.com/ErinGaetz/status/1140670997269323781?s=20

Finally, funny people of the world used comedy to lighten the situation.

This snarky tweet from the Onion takes a stab at the controversy:

Matt Bellasai proved Taylor’s homophobia because she didn’t include him:

Eva Victor showed how Taylor might talk to her mom on the phone about the new music video:

© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.

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