*This article contains spoilers for “Miss Americana”*
Taylor Swift’s new documentary “Miss Americana” launched on Netflix Jan. 31 and has already garnered quite a bit of attention. The documentary breaks down Taylor’s life from her rise as a country star and her transition to pop to becoming her own woman who is not afraid to speak up. We’re breaking down the details and the lessons that we can learn from a fellow girl boss like Taylor Swift herself.
1. Keep your friends and family close.
Something that is consistent throughout the entirety of the documentary and her life is Taylor’s reliance on her family (including her cats) and friends. From her mom’s bout with cancer and her Grammy snub to her decision to speak out about the 2016 Kanye West drama and the 2018 midterm elections, her family and friends (and oftentimes, her true fans) were there through it all.
“You gotta be able to really prioritize what matters to you. For me, it’s my family and my friends.”
2. We all have voices that can be heard IF we choose to use them.
For years, Taylor struggled with jumping into politics after being told for so many years to just stay out of it and “not be like the Dixie Chicks.” She finally had enough and decided to use her voice. Starting with her sexual assault case in 2017, she went to battle and won her court case when the jury said they believed her. She shared the story and apologized to the victims who weren’t believed at her Reputation concert a year later.
The documentary also shows Swift arguing with her family to the point of tears about getting involved in the 2018 midterms and her wanting to be on the “right side of history.” Not only did her actions encourage more people to register to vote, but she also publicly tackled the issue of LGBTQ rights and the Equality Act with her song and music video for “You Need To Calm Down.”
“Next time there is any opportunity to change anything, you have better know what you stand for and what you want to say.”
3. It’s okay to have struggles. Everyone does.
Many times throughout the documentary, we see Taylor’s struggles with the cost of fame, life and the haters. Ultimately, those moments led her to new songs and acceptance.
Starting with the media calling her too skinny and asking her things like, “Does she eat?,” to the comments on social media about her weight. She said she finally realized that it was okay to be a size 6, not a size 00. She also said she stopped looking at photos on social media so that she would stop criticizing herself and going into a negative spiral. She also struggled with having to reinvent herself constantly as a female in the entertainment industry.
“But, when you are living for the approval of strangers and that is where you derive all of your joy and fulfillment, one bad thing can cause everything to crumble.”
4. Your process is unique to you, and sometimes you need a new perspective.
Taylor has an absolutely amazing songwriting process. Throughout the documentary, we see moments of her writing her latest album “Lover” over the course of a year and even songs from her “Reputation” album. She took time out of the spotlight to focus on herself after the 2016 Kanye controversy when everyone turned on her. She became truly happy, and we see an inside look at her relationship with Joe Alwyn. If there’s anything we can learn, it’s to go to our roots and do what works.
“I can’t change what happened to me, but I can control what I write. I really just went to this place where I said: I’m gonna make sure people know that I deserve to be here.”
5. Working hard pays off.
After the 2009 VMA situation where Kanye West jumped on stage and said Beyonce’s music video was the best of all time as Taylor was receiving an award for “You Belong With Me,” the fans immediately started booing. She initially thought that the boos were directed at her. Taylor said the reaction from the crowd was a “catalyst for a lot of psychological paths she went through.”
Even though that hurt her, Swift said she was extremely thankful for her work ethic. Ultimately, it was her work ethic that pushed her even harder and helped her win two Grammy awards. Talk about a comeback!
A few years later, upon the news that her album “Reputation” was not nominated for any Grammy awards, Taylor was upset but motivated. She took those feelings and was determined to “make a better album,” which led her to produce her latest successful album, “Lover.”
“I’m going to go back to doing my job, and I’m going to make a record I am proud of.”
Taylor Swift is back and better than ever. She has reinvented herself over and over again. Through “Miss Americana,” we see a relatable girl who works hard, loves her family and friends and isn’t afraid to speak out. If you’re not a fan of her music, you certainly might become a fan of her after watching her documentary. She is the ultimate girl boss in all senses of the word.