With the release of Miss Americana, viewers see Taylor Swift in a way she’s never been seen before. Swift typically shows vulnerability in her music and lyrics, but never in real life. She’s always been a sort of pop star robot who performs her hit songs and then disappears. After the drama with Kim and Kanye West, it was clear that the public had turned on Swift overnight. She took a long overdue break after her wildly successful album 1989 and practically disappeared until 2017. Miss Americana offers a sense of what Swift was experiencing during this time and how she reclaimed her name and came back up to the top.
I’ve been a Taylor Swift fan since I was eight years old. In fact, the first concert I ever went to was her Speak Now World Tour in 2011. Over the past few years I found myself drifting farther and farther away from my love of Taylor Swift. Her music has been consistently great, however, I felt like I had no idea who she was. This is not to say that all celebrities owe their life stories to their fans, it’s just to say that Swift didn’t have the same openness and vulnerability as many other singer/songwriters in the public eye. I wasn’t alone in this thought process either, Taylor Swift lost many fans as her career grew. The release of Miss Americana feels like Swift opening up to her fanbase after all these years.
One of the most memorable parts of Miss Americana is Swift’s discussion about eating disorders. In a short clip of Swift in the back of her car, she talks to the camera candidly about the struggles she’s had with her body image. Swift says, “I thought that I was just, like, supposed to feel like I was going to pass out at the end of a show or in the middle of it.” The shocking confession mirrors what so many women experience everyday, the reality of eating disorders is much more common than people realize. Taylor Swift’s honesty and vulnerability shine through the screen at this moment. She talks about a very human issue in a way she hasn’t before. Swift, for the first time, uses her platform in a way that can help empower and recognize the women experiencing the same things as her.
Miss Americana is a documentary that allows viewers into Taylor Swift’s life like never before. Fans will enjoy the clips of Swift’s songwriting and more behind the scenes footage. Those who are indifferent will find a newfound respect for Swift and her stance on important issues. Even those who hate Taylor Swift can appreciate the new side she shares with the world. All moviegoers should see this documentary. It’s interesting and well done while also not taking itself too seriously.
