Swifties

Swifties are the fandom of the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Regarded by journalists as one of the largest, most devoted, and influential fan bases, Swifties are known for their high levels of participation, creativity, community, fanaticism, and cultural impact on the music industry and popular culture. They are a subject of widespread coverage in the mainstream media.^[1]

Critics have opined that Swift has redefined artist–fandom relationships by establishing an intimate connection with Swifties. She has frequently engaged with, helped, credited and prioritized her fans, who have offered unprecedented support and interest in her works irrespective of her wavering reception in the media. They continued to support Swift through her genre transitions, unexpected artistic pivots, and her highly publicized controversies such as the 2019 masters dispute, while instigating the political scrutiny of Ticketmaster that led to implementation of various laws and stimulated economic growth with the Eras Tour. Swift's releases, promotional efforts, and fashion have garnered attention for incorporating Easter eggs and clues that are decoded by Swifties and considered part of her musical universe.

Cultural analyses have variably described Swifties as a community of interest, a subculture, and a near-metaverse, while academics have studied them for their consumerism, content creation, social capital, collective effervescence, organizing prolificacy, and interpersonal relationships. The word Swiftie(s) was added to the Oxford Dictionary of English in 2023. Swifties have also been a subject of criticism, with some fans displaying disregard for Swift's privacy by publicizing her real-time locations and engaging in verbal attack of individuals, including celebrities, who malign Swift. On the other hand, some Swifties criticize Swift for her lifestyle and professional choices, which journalists disapprove as a parasocial relationship.