But does Taylor? I mean, she definitely gets that she’s associated with snakes, and how that came about, but does she get that we get that she gets it? And if so, why does she insist on perpetuating the gag as if we’re living in Game of Thrones and it’s her fucking house seal?
(Btw, if you don’t get it, here’s everything you need to know about Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, and the snake nest.)
The latest iteration of Swift’s serpentine self-branding came in the form of a pair of Gucci boots, worn to meet fans in London on Sunday.
As Buzzfeed points out, Swift’s public embrace of her snakelike persona has been adamant for a couple months now. In August, she replaced all her Instagram pictures with three videos of snakes (to promote her new album). The music video for her most successful single prominently features snakes, as do other promotional materials for her new music.
I realize that with this take I run the risk of having people in the comment section accuse me of being unfair to Taylor—her behavior is, after all, circumscribed and scrutinized because of her immense fame, gender, and relative youth. What can Taylor do without inviting a flurry of criticism?
Well, she can stop bring up the snakes. No one I’m aware of is still remotely concerned with or interested in the snakes. I am sure the singer still has some snakes in her mentions, but her mentions are not a reflection of the larger cultural shift, which is away from caring about snakes, and in particular their association with Taylor Swift. It’s kind of like what Faulkner (or, whoever) said about writing, “kill all your darlings,” meaning your precious, personal indulgences will only detract from your art. It’s generally ridiculous advice to give an artist, but in this case apt: Taylor Swift must kill all her snakes.
Or, whatever, keep wearing snake stuff. Build an empire of snakes, sell snake merch, or just get a pet snake. It’s possible I’m the one living blissfully, ignorantly in my snake-free bubble.
[Buzzfeed]
Reese Witherspoon, who shared her own experiences of sexual harassment and assault at Elle Magazine’s Women in Hollywood gala on Monday night, reflected on that moment today on Twitter.
- Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner are still engaged and traipsing about Paris. [Pop Sugar]
- Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba revealed that chronic fatigue slows her sex drive. [People]
- Kit Harington went to a Halloween party (in early October?!) dressed as his GoT character. [E News]
- John Mayer set up a scholarship fund and named it after his dad. [Variety]
- Vanessa Hudgens joins Jennifer Lopez in the cast of upcoming romantic comedy Second Act. [Variety]