11 of the best moments from THAT Taylor Swift music video featuring countless queer icons

The music video from Taylor Swift features an expansive and diverse queer cast, and has been called "her most political move yet."

Entertainment . Written by Michael Kuhl.

taylor swift stands with 5 drag queens in front of vintage trailer

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 “beef-free” make-up with Katy Perry, Billy Porter, Laverne Cox, and so much more. The song’s catchy beat and summer theme make it video sure to bring joy. 

CNN said the music video may be “Taylor Swift’s most political move yet.”

 

1. A ‘beef-free’ 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.

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 Beyoncé), Adore Delano (as Katy Perry), and A’keria C Davenport (as Nicki Minaj) were all included in the video. 

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.

5. Todrick Hall

Todrick, who co-directed the music video with Taylor, added so much fun. Taylor tweeted to thank him:

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 “endless summer.”

8. Quotable lyrics

Some lyrics from the song include:

  • “But you’re takin’ shots at me like it’s Patrón / 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.”

10. Call to action

The video ends with a message that directs viewers to Swift’s 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, “Mom, I am a rich man.”  

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. 

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