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How Taylor Swift's Remained America's Sweetheart

Kathy Zerbib |
December 21, 2012 | 3:55 p.m. PST

Staff Reporter

Harry Styles, Taylor Lautner, and Jake Gyllenhaal have all been involved with singer-songwriter Taylor Swift (Photo Credit - Splash News, AKM-GSI).
Harry Styles, Taylor Lautner, and Jake Gyllenhaal have all been involved with singer-songwriter Taylor Swift (Photo Credit - Splash News, AKM-GSI).
At this point, we have all seen the eye-opening picture circulating around the Internet, which points out the hypocrisy between Taylor Swift’s falsified golden image and Miley Cyrus’ senselessly damaged reputation. Miley Cyrus, the picture acknowledges, has been in a single relationship for the past three years, yet is continuously slammed for being supposedly immoral and scandalous. Taylor Swift, in comparison, has had well over ten relationships in the past three years, but is not seen as anything other than guiltless and benevolent. How, then, has Swift managed to shield herself from criticism, while others like Cyrus and even Paris Hilton are ripped apart by the media?

The picture in question, which has received countless reblogs on Tumblr and numerous retweets via Twitter, is a somber reference to just how much of a double standard the general public is willing to allow for someone it finds to be a victim. Swift’s dating history includes Joe Jonas, Taylor Lautner, John Mayer, Jake Gyllenhaal, Conor Kennedy and Harry Styles (among others). Remember Paris Hilton’s dating record, including Doug Reinhardt, Benji Madden, Alex Vaggo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Josh Henderson, Paris Latsis, Nick Carter, Jason Shaw, and quite a few more? Granted, Paris Hilton is older than Taylor Swift and has therefore fit a few more men in her time, but would it not be fair to say the latter is on a similar path and just barely began to receive backlash for it?

 Perhaps it is her image that allows the singer-songwriter to avoid media criticism for her romantic decisions. It is no secret that Swift’s songs are self-reflecting and based on disappointments from the men in her life, as she freely reveals in interviews. Her tragic relationships become fodder for her music and the big names she dates increases her popularity pool, leading to recent rumors that Harry Styles is another excuse to push her career even further. But with songs like “I Knew You Were Trouble,” “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” Picture to Burn” and “White Horse,” Swift gives us her blame-free side and any breakups are immediately assumed to be the guy’s fault. Swift comes across as a girl looking for love and stumbling upon heartbreak at every turn, which is entirely relatable to the young fans who adore her.

It is another thing that Swift refrains from adopting a notably “bad” persona, like Miley Cyrus. Cyrus is unapologetic for her risqué attire and carefree attitude, but Swift maintains a girl-next-door appearance and soft features. Her personality is more reserved and innocent than many other celebrities who are willing to be bold and shocking, which only increases Swift’s purified character. She does not seem like the kind of girl who gets into relationships as a career move; she seems like the kind of girl who is looking for love. Her presentation is what has spared her this long.

If it makes her situation any better, Taylor Swift previously revealed she is not proud of her lengthy dating record. In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, she cringed when the talk show host played a slideshow of various boyfriends (and some not-boyfriends) on air, claiming it makes her question herself as a human being. Perhaps this is one of the closest to remorse that the world will get from the musical sensation.

Yes, Taylor Swift has a dating history few could approve of. She has barely began to taste ridicule for her actions, as her sweetheart character has spared her from it in the past. Will the media let up, seeing as how Swift is a decent person and has undoubtedly learned from the mistakes of her past? Hopefully. This seems to be a case of a young woman trying to find the one and making bad decisions in men - something many girls can relate to and find believable.


Reach Staff Reporter Kathy Zerbib here; follow her on Twitter here.



 

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