Model Emily Ratajkowski used to be candid about not connecting with Taylor Swift’s music. However, her recent experience at the Eras Tour changed her perspective completely. In a podcast interview with Troye Sivan on High Low with EmRata, the 32-year-old model expressed her awe at Swift’s artistry and talent, admitting she used to have a bit of snobbery towards popular music. But she now realizes that popular doesn’t necessarily mean lacking in quality.

“I kind of grew up [with] a little snobbery around my generation,” she said to her podcast guest, who is a friend of Swift’s. “I wasn’t somebody who listened to pop music a ton.”

While she initially believed that just because something is popular doesn’t make it good, her mind switched a bit.

“Actually, a lot of times the things that are popular are actually just incredibly good. I came around…It changed it for me completely.”

Emily Ratajkowski was not a Swiftie earlier

Emily revealed that she wasn’t a Swiftie before, but attending Taylor’s concert transformed her perception of the singer-songwriter. She admitted that her previous disinterest in Swift’s music may have been a result of a misogynistic mindset.

“I was not a Swiftie, and now I’m like, ‘You know what that means? That means I was a misogynist that I didn’t f**k with Taylor Swift‘,” she said. “Because I went to her concert and I was like, ‘This person is an incredible songwriter, an incredible performer, and anybody who says anything else? Like, they have issues. And actually maybe not a very sophisticated palette’.

“If you don’t like Taylor Swift, then, like, you don’t understand things.”

While many appreciated Emily’s newfound admiration for Taylor Swift, others found her statement about misogyny oversimplified.

“It’s fine to be a fan and acknowledge her talent, but the logic here is interesting,” one said.

“Not liking Taylor Swift makes you a misogynist…?” another added.

A third wrote: “If I was her PR team, my god, I’d be at the bar right now.”

Emily Ratajkowski supports Taylor Swift’s Voice

Emily praised Swift’s clear communication during the interview, where she addressed feeling uncomfortable with certain questions. She mentioned that her perspective has evolved over the years, and she’s now more sensitive to the sexism and misogyny faced by successful women like Taylor. Emily emphasized that society needs to listen more to women, especially when they voice their discomfort in such situations.

“While she’s another example of a woman who has been faced with such blatant misogyny and sexism, and yet we don’t want to admit that, because she’s powerful and successful, and also she’s white,” Emily said. “There’s a bunch of reasons, which I think are fair and important to bring up in the conversation, but that clip, in particular, was just so striking to me because she was communicating very clearly about why she didn’t feel comfortable with what was happening. And it was making everyone laugh. It actually upset me.”

While the internet had varied reactions to Emily’s statements, it’s evident that her journey from non-Swiftie to Swiftie has been a transformative one. Her acknowledgment of Taylor Swift’s talent and the courage to defend her in the face of criticism is a testament to the power of empathy and evolving perspectives.

Credits Billboard