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\"You Need to Calm Down\" Music Video
Culture > Entertainment

Taylor Swift’s ‘You Need to Calm Down’ Music Video is Here & We’re So Excited, We Really Do Need to Calm Down

Emily Veith

The music video for Taylor Swift’s newest single “You Need to Calm Down” is here, and we are so excited, we really do need to calm down.

On Monday morning, the pop star debuted her music video for “You Need to Calm Down” on Good Morning America. The music video is intended to be a symbol of support and Pride for the LGBTQ community and features cameos from an all-star lineup, including: Ellen DeGeneres, Ryan Reynolds, Laverne Cox, Adam Lambert, Todrick Hall, Hayley Kiyoko, Ciara, RuPaul, Dexter Mayfield, Karamo Brown, Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness, Bobby Berk, Tan France, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Justin Mikita, Billy Porter, Chester Lockhart, Adam Rippon and Hannah Hart.

 

The video starts with Swift seeming to address someone who is talking smack about her. Checking her phone and noticing the “shot,” the pop singer takes some shots of her own by making a margarita before heading out to the pool.

 

Swift looks like she’s living in a trailer park, surrounded by fabulous neighbors like Hall and Cox, with others gathering around to celebrate the wedding of “Modern Family” star Ferguson and husband Mikita.

 

The song is definitely intended to express support for equality and the LGBTQ community, with Swift celebrating love as protesters slam same-sex marriage.

 

As protesters later try to disturb Swift and her friends who are lounging in the sun together, Porter walks in front of them to strike a pose as Swift tells the protesters to not step on his gown.

 

RuPaul, another star of the video, throws a crown in the air above some of the most celebrated drag queens, all of whom are dressed as stars like Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Adele, Cardi B, Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj and herself.

 

But perhaps the most iconic scene of the video is when Swift and Katy Perry officially end their beef.

 

At the end of the music video, Swift and Perry, who are dressed up as French fries and a hamburger, respectively, look lonely before they find each other.

 

Perry even explained explained the outfits, writing, “This meal is BEEF-free #MeatFreeMonday ?♄? #YNTCDmusicvideo.”

 

The timing of the video couldn’t be more perfect as June is Pride month. According to ABC News, Swift recently donated to GLAAD, which she references to on the track in the line “ Why are you mad when you could be GLAAD?”

 

Hours after the song was released, GLAAD saw an influx of donations from fans, with several donating $13 in honor of Swift’s favorite number.

 

The music video ends with Swift urging fans to sign her petition in support of the Equality Act, which would protect LGBTQ individuals from discrimination in employment, housing and other public accommodations.

 

“I’ve observed a lot of different people in our society who just put so much energy and effort into negativity, and it just made me feel like, ‘You need to just calm down. Like, you’re stressing yourself out. This seems like it’s more about you than what you’re going off about. Like, just calm down,’” Swift told Apple Music’s Beats 1 regarding her inspiration for the song, according to E! News.

 

“You Need to Calm Down” was released last Friday and is from Swift’s upcoming album, “Lover,” which will be released on August 23.  

Emily has also authored political articles for Restless Magazine and numerous inspirational and empowering pieces for Project Wednesday. When she isn't writing, she can be found flying off to her next adventure, attempting new recipes, listening to one of her infinite playlists on Spotify, or cuddling with her dogs. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter @emilycveith.