Taylor Swift fans have gathered around the world to mark the release of her new album
British Taylor Swift fans showed their devotion to the world’s most famous pop star by waking up before dawn and gathering in pubs to listen to her new album, The Life of a Showgirl.
Swift’s 12th album was released on Friday, and her Swifties were more than ready for it.
THE UNITED KINGDOM
11-year-old Londoner Fiona Cela woke up at 4:30am to listen to the album. She then headed out with her mother to the studios of Global’s Capital radio, hoping for a glimpse of Swift as she gave an interview there. On her agenda after that: school.
“Taylor as a person is just super kind and loving,” she said, her wrists stacked with Swift-themed friendship bracelets. “Her music is so inspiring.”
At the Black Dog pub in London, thought to be the location for Swift’s song Black Dog from her last album, holidaying American Natalie Richmond showed up to mark the occasion.
The 43-year-old’s two Swiftie daughters woke her up extra early to listen to the album.
“We actually lived in Nashville early on so we’ve been following her ever since she began,” Richmond said. “She’s relatable. She’s the person that everybody wants to be friends with. We all listen to her music and think I’d love to go out and hang out with her.”
Longtime Swiftie Helen Brabant-Bleakley showed up at the Black Dog to mark her 30th birthday, wearing a teal sash with gold lettering that read: “The Life of a Birthday Girl.”
“My good friend Taylor Swift gave me the best present ever by dropping a new album,” she said, noting she’s already picked a couple of favourite cuts from the album: Father Figure and Elizabeth Taylor.
THE UNITED STATES
In Los Angeles, the fervent lined up at midnight at a Target to snap up the new music on vinyl and CD.
Maria-Elena Garcia rented a hotel room and drove in from Santa Barbara. “I like a lot of her values and like we have a lot similar values. For example, cats,” she said.
THE PHILIPPINES
A Manila mall went full Swift with a drag show, games, raffles and performers. Hundreds of screaming fans dressed in showgirl gear braved rain to celebrate at an outdoor amphitheater.
Among them was Cyril Aviguetero, 18. With a red showgirl head piece complementing his outfit, he was most excited about Track 7, Actually Romantic.
Asked why, he mused: “I’m not sure, but I’m also trying to find what’s actually romantic in my life,” he said.
With AP
