Story time: I met Taylor Swift years ago. There was a casting for a music video she was doing for her album “Red” and they were looking for girls who were “hipster” types. I didn’t think I looked like a hipster but applied anyway because why not? I ended up going out of state with a couple close girl friends from high school to celebrate our birthdays since they were all close to each other. While I was there, I got a call saying I’d be in a Taylor Swift music video so I had to fly back a day early. My friends and I were listening to her new album and we guessed it must be for “22” since she sings about dressing up like hipsters in the song. It wasn’t though. On the flight back to LA, there was a magazine and Taylor Swift was interviewed talking about her new album. I remember specifically that they talked about how she was this tall giant. So we get on set. It’s myself and two other girls. We’re supposed to be Taylor’s friends that she’s hanging out with when she gets approached by the “bad boy” and goes on a whirlwind romance. Taylor walks up to us and the first thing she does is say, “Nice to meet you! I’m Taylor.” Which I thought was funny as we all knew but I later realized she did that at all her shows. She had bangs, light makeup, and was very slim. I introduced myself and told her I was expecting her to be this giant and she’s not actually that tall. She started laughing and said, “Right?” Then she stood back to back next to me and she was only an inch or so taller (I’m 5’8.5”). We started talking about mutual friends. I told her I skipped school to see her “Fearless” tour and ended up having her opening act autograph my homework to turn into the teacher. She talked about her cat and her friend Diana. At that time, I was about to meet my boyfriend’s (now husband’s) family for the first time in Tennessee. I had never been and was so excited so I asked her for things I needed to see there. She recommended a lot of the Elvis stuff since it was Memphis. As anyone who’s met me knows, I love talking about my husband. So after I’m telling Taylor all about him and how excited I am to meet his family, she says, “I hope one day I’m with a man who makes me light up the way you do when you talk about your boyfriend.” I know I’ll be called a “pick-me” for that one but I did get picked (my boyfriend and I got married) and it actually happened so it is what it is. The reason Taylor Swift is liked by women so much is because she truly captures the female experience in a rare way. While most pop stars have a team of incredible songwriters, she writes herself. Her lyrics relate to women all over the world. The excitement of falling in love for the first time. The pain of heartbreak. Someone who’s in their 40’s can’t comprehend what it was like being a teenage girl dancing in the rain to “Fearless.” Her audience is 35 and under. Women who grew up with her and those who are currently going through the young female experience. My niece who’s 14 loves her. She’s not an “I don’t need no man” girl. She’s a romantic and currently in a relationship. She was with her last boyfriend for 6 years. She’s also always loved cats. The average girl who listens to her doesn’t think she’ll be the next famous singer/songwriter and is turned off by men because TSwift isn’t married yet. The average girl who listens to her is a romantic, much more so than a Cardi B or Meghan Trainer fan. Taylor has made her niche being the awkward girl next door not a sex symbol (which is the way easier route for a pop star). But someone like her can’t leave her house for a nice walk to get a coffee without a storm of paparazzi like you or I can. There’s no shortage of men who’d jump at the chance to date someone famous like her but she has to be extra cautious given what’s at stake for her.