How does Taylor Swift create a victim narrative to make her seem brave and inspiring? How do Swift’s own arguments and word choice clash with the image she wants people to have of her? What are the signs of an unreliable victim narrative? By analyzing Swift’s words and behavior in her ‘Woman of the Decade Award’ acceptance speech at Billboard’s Women in Music, we’re able to answer these questions. Celebrity culture is full of victim narratives, but can we (always) trust them?
In this speech, Swift talks about a “wave of harsh criticism”; criticism of her private life as well as her music. However, are Swift’s statements convincing?
As an analysis, this video is carefully made according to the terms of ‘fair use’.
