Dear Taylor Swift (whom I lovingly refer to as T-Swizzle),

In my humble opinion, you are one of the best singers of the 21st century. Each song you’ve released captures your amazing voice, whether it be a slow and sad ballad such as “Sad Beautiful Tragic” (my personal favorite), or a happy, upbeat song, like “Shake it Off.” I know the words to almost every one of your songs by heart and I never fail to answer “Anything by Taylor Swift” when asked what my favorite song is. In fact, if there were cameras in my room, I’m 5000% sure that half of the footage would be of me dancing to one of your songs. I’ve been listening to your music for as long as I can remember, and nothing’s changed since then. However, I’ve found myself thinking, lately, that you have changed. A lot.

You’re no longer that blond, curly-haired teenager with a wooden guitar who sings country love songs. You’ve grown up and switched up your hair, clothes, and even your music. But I get it. That happens to everyone. Well, maybe not the music part, but people grow and change all the time. However, the thing I’m having a hard time with is how much your personality has changed. Now, obviously I can’t prove this since I’ve never met you. (By the way, if you can somehow make that happen, I’d really appreciate it.) Anyway, it seems like you were a sweet, innocent little girl when you first became famous. I’ve seen red carpet pictures of you when you were younger, wearing a flowy little dress and a cowboy hat. You had such a classic look back then. What happened to that Taylor? Now, you come to award shows covered in flashy makeup, flaunting a wild hairstyle, and wearing a leather mini-skirt and lace-up stilettos. You look just like every other wild pop star and that disappoints me. You’ve allowed today’s society to change you and that hurts. I feel like I can’t look up to you like I used to because you’re obviously not as strong and respectable as I once thought.

This change bothers me, but on some level, I can understand why it happened. You were young, you were impressionable and in the grand scheme of things, clothes and hairstyles aren’t that important. I can still admire you despite those things. However, you haven’t given me a lot of things to support my waning belief that you’re still the same T-Swizzle on the inside. Take your feud with Kim and Kanye, for example. I found it incredibly hard to take your side in that situation and that’s really saying something, considering that Kim and Kanye are far from my favorite people. What Kanye said about you in his song was definitely not something that’s going to be getting him any Brownie points, but you can’t say you didn’t know he was doing it. I mean, come on, you have to admit that. Kim did get the entire phone call on tape, after all. Still, you lied and tried to make it look like Kanye did it without your permission. I just don’t get it, Taylor. It doesn’t seem like something you would do. Also, while we’re on the subject, your little statement on Instagram sure gave me a lot of laughs. It was pretty silly, wouldn’t you say? Believe me, I tried hard to take it seriously, but you didn’t make it easy did you? I don’t have a clue why you thought “narrative” was a good word to use to describe the situation, but you did give me a new catchphrase. I was saying, “I wish to be excluded from this narrative, one that I have never asked to be a part of, since 2009,” every time my mom asked me to do something I didn’t want to do for weeks. So, thanks for that, but if it ever happens again, which it very well could, maybe don’t say “character assassination.” I felt embarrassed for you just reading that.

Another thing that popped into my newsfeed that I couldn’t back you up on was that nasty breakup with Calvin Harris. Now maybe I’m a little biased because I think he’s absolutely gorgeous, but the story still doesn’t add up. Calvin seems like a nice enough guy and one that wouldn’t get mad at the drop of a hat, so why would he make up a story about you thinking you’re too famous for him? Is there bad blood, or something? It just doesn’t make sense! I’d like to say it can’t possibly be true, but quite frankly, I can’t. I think your ego has gotten a little too big and let me just tell you, it’s not a good look on you. You’re talented, wealthy, and beautiful, but you’ve let it go to your head. I feel like you think that just because you’ve got your little squad of models, you’re the queen of the world. Oh and by the way, I’m not buying it that you’re all BFFs. There would just be too much drama in that group and I can’t see how it could possibly be any more than a publicity stunt. There are enough fake people in high school, so I’m not interested in any fake friendships in your life. But I have been wondering, is Karlie Kloss as awesome and kind as she seems? She’s basically an angel right here on Earth. Am I right, or am I right? Maybe you could learn a little something from her.

Okay, that’s enough. I’m sorry, I really am. I didn’t mean to sound so judgemental. I know I don’t really know you and the events in the media are only a small part of your life. You could be the sweetest and most real person out there, but that’s just not how the media portrays you. I guess the reason that I feel like I need to take out all my frustration on you is that people, including myself, want to believe that being famous is the easiest job in the world and that you, in a way, are superhuman compared to the rest of us. That’s foolish of me, I know, because life is hard on everyone. In your case, it caused you to grow up and change in the process. Maybe this is how you were meant to be and if you’re doing what makes you happy, more power to you. Don’t let anyone change you, not even me, if you’re happy with yourself. (Unless you want to consider trading in your cats for a few dogs, but that’s a discussion for another time.)  It’s just hard to come to the realization that nobody is perfect and nothing stays the same. Not you, not me, and not even Karlie Kloss. Well, probably. I guess the only thing that hasn’t changed, and hopefully never will, is my love for your music. So, as long as you keep putting out new songs, we’re good. And just so you know, I will never stop calling you T-Swizzle. Ever.

                               Sincerely,

                               Harper Popplewell

P.S. If you ever decide to add someone new to your squad, feel free to give me a call. We could even call me H-Popple, or H-Pizzle. We can work on that later.