Undergraduate Thesis
Girl-Next-Door to Girlboss: Taylor Swift’s Online Evolution from Puerile Pop Star to Poignant Political Influence
Abstract:
Of all society’s public figures, the social-media-savvy celebrity is arguably the most powerful. Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has amassed one of the largest followings on the internet. In recent years, she has inspired fans to act upon sociopolitical issues via voter registration, letter-writing campaigns, and music. Her digital footprint is not without contention from a slow arrival to politics to white feminist attributes present in her messaging. Through close reading across four social media platforms, I found a shift in Swift’s social media activity. In her transition from a young pop star to a global influence, I concluded that fans (Swifties included) will follow their favorite star’s lead and thus create actionable change.
This 22-page thesis (plus appendix and works cited) was prepared for Dr. Madeleine Esch and the Salve Regina Department of English, Communications, and Media in pursuit of my 2022 Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. It can be accessed on the Salve Regina University Digital Commons site, linked here.