Taylor Swift’s Netflix documentary Miss Americana has been out for a while now and if you haven’t watched it yet you’re truly missing out. If the reason you’re not too keen is because you think it’s only for diehard Swifties or is just another one of her live concert tours you’d be mistaken. Touching on various issues such as sexism, body image, cancel culture, family struggles, sexual assault, politics, the price of fame, and more – it’s Taylor at her most vulnerable, unlike we’ve ever seen her before.
And it’s her tackling these issues that people face every day that reminds us that popstars are human beings too. The movie is for anyone navigating similar obstacles, anyone who may be feeling alone or afraid, or anyone simply trying to find their voice. It’s for Taylor Swift fans, people who “hate” Taylor Swift but can’t think of a reason why, and anyone who might have thought it was funny to post a snake emoji on her social media in 2016. Much like Taylor and her quick wit, Miss Americana is universal, articulate, and well… relatable. So we thought we’d pick out nine of her best quotes that might just make you want to press play.
“Throughout my whole career, label executives would just say, ‘A nice girl doesn’t force their opinions on people; a nice girl smiles and waves and says thank you.’ I became the person everyone wanted me to be.”
This opening line of the trailer sets the tone of the whole documentary. Women are always told to “be nice” and “smile” and act in a certain way including Taylor her whole entire life and she’s finally HAD ENOUGH. Just listen to the lyrics of ‘The Man’.
“So it’s like a Tamagotchi?”
Taylor’s response after recalling the time she visited a friend who just had a baby and hearing how the newborn’s schedule consisted of sleeping, eating, and being changed takes us straight back to the 90s. And for those who don’t know what a Tamagotchi is… well you’re making us feel old af lol. While she takes superb care of her three feline children (even feeding one at her dinner table) she reveals that she isn’t quite ready for kids of her own just yet.
“So, it’s like a Tamagotchi?” 😂😂 #MissAmericana pic.twitter.com/1Mtahb6do0
— taylor in video (@taylorinvideo) January 31, 2020
Taylor swift comparing a baby to a tamagotchi at age 30 is exactly who I am trying to be. I respect it so much …. #missamericana
— Christy (@ChristyGomezz) February 1, 2020
“I wanna love glitter and also stand up for the double standards that exist in our society. I wanna wear pink, and tell you how I feel about politics. I don’t think those things have to cancel each other out.”
This has big Elle Woods energy. Even in 2020 as more women are able to use their voices, many still feel that they need to tone down their femininity in order to be taken seriously. Taylor being “America’s sweetheart” explains that she isn’t willing to give up her identity anymore for her voice to be heard, but rather she will stand up for herself and her beliefs while continuing to embrace womanhood.
“I wanna love glitter, and also stand up for the double standards that exist in our society. I wanna wear pink, and tell you how I feel about politics. I don’t think those things have to cancel each other out.“
In conclusion, Taylor Swift and Elle woods are the same person. pic.twitter.com/fBRkDEPxDw
— Sarah 🤍🌿 (@scrunchieswift) February 1, 2020
“We’re like, ‘Sorry, was I loud?’ In my own house. That I bought. With the songs that I wrote. About my own life.”
Another important scene finds Taylor sitting in her lounge speaking candidly about her struggle to “deprogram the misogyny in my own brain”. She later goes on to say that, “there is no such thing as a slut, there is no such thing as a bitch, there is no such thing as someone who’s bossy, there’s just a boss. Taylor brings up a great point about women constantly being condemned for being multi-faceted.
“I’m trying to be as educated as possible on how to respect people and deprogram the misogyny in my own brain. There is no such thing as a slut, as a bitch, as someone who’s bossy, there’s just a boss. We don’t wanna be condemned for being multifaceted.” — Taylor #MissAmericana pic.twitter.com/GF7iIXP1uj
— Taylor Swift News (@TSwiftNZ) January 31, 2020
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“Because if you’re thin enough, then you don’t have that ass that everybody wants, but if you have enough weight on you to have an ass, then your stomach isn’t flat enough. It’s all just f**king impossible.”
TW: Eating Disorder. In the doco we get a closer look at the effects a thoughtless comment, online trolls, or zooming into flaws on a picture can be. This quote describes a realisation she came to that broke a dangerous, unhealthy pattern and set her on a path to recovery. She explains that she is more aware now of her triggers, that her body was not meant to be a size 00, and that she can continue to perform without feeling or looking sick.
“I have a really slappable face.”
Ok this one really hit us hard. Taylor made this comment about herself after watching a scene back on the set of the ’ME!’ music video. Director Dave Meyers interjected: “Slappable? Ouch! You’re confident and strong, it’s the correct one.” But Taylor insisted, “I’m gonna try and be more likeable in the next one.”
I keep thinking about Taylor saying she “has a really slappable face” like I can’t stop thinking about it and feeling upset
— mac woman (@kenziecoffman) February 2, 2020
“Nobody physically saw me for a year. And that’s what I thought they wanted. I had to deconstruct an entire belief system, toss it out and reject it.”
She was crying when she said this. And we were also crying when she said this. Look what you made her do! Touching on cancel culture Taylor explained how she felt when #TaylorSwiftIsOverParty trended at #1 online. And when you’re living for “pats on the head” and wanting to be liked by everyone it hits even harder. Here she shows us how much hard work she’s done mentally to heal from all of the (undeserved) crap that’s been thrown her way over the years.
i watched this part like 15 times and i could not stop crying. i’m HURT. #MissAmericana #taylorswift 💔 pic.twitter.com/vdCz9I7Y03
— zeus⚡️ (@rebel_hamada) February 1, 2020
“If I get bad press for saying don’t put a homophobic racist in office, then I get bad press” and “Donald Trump likes my music 25% less.”
Gone are the days of getting applauded for being apolitical and needing approval from your enemies. Enlisting tens of thousands of young people to register to vote will trump the fake-tanned goon in office liking your music a little bit less every single time.
TS : you know what? donald trump likes my music 25% less… *laughs*
she’s too precious I swear to god love this woman so much !! #MissAmericana pic.twitter.com/moZKSYAWMC
— shivani// The Archer stan🏹 (@jaylornation) January 31, 2020
“The president could come after you”
Taylor Swift: “yeah fuck that I don’t care”
😍😍— Steven Walker (@positivesteven) February 3, 2020
“Oh, sh*t. This is a Rihanna shirt.”
The only correct response when you think you’re gonna spill food on one of your most prized possessions.
📷 | “This is a @rihanna shirt.” — Taylor trying not to spill food on her shirt when the jet takes off #MissAmericana pic.twitter.com/g8DHVi8wNP
— Taylor Swift News (@TSwiftNZ) January 31, 2020
“I want to still have a sharp pen and a thin skin and an open heart.”
The closing line of the documentary hits us right in the feels. In spite of everything that has been thrown her way, she is intent on staying true to who she is. First and foremost she has always been a songwriter, unafraid to tell her truth through her lyrics. Taylor has always embraced having to live her life in the public eye, but she’s learned that the key to everlasting happiness isn’t just in the applause and the accolades – it’s by prioritising her loved ones and simply going to the pub to have a beer and watch the footy (stream ‘London Boy’).
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