For years I asked, pleaded for a chance to own my work. Instead I was given an opportunity to sign back up to Big Machine Records and ‘earn’ one album back at a time, one for every new one I turned in. I walked away because I knew once I signed that contract, Scott Borchetta would sell the label, thereby selling me and my future. I had to make the excruciating choice to leave behind my past. Music I wrote on my bedroom floor and videos I dreamed up and paid for from the money I earned playing in bars, then clubs, then arenas, then stadiums. 

Some fun facts about today’s news: I learned about Scooter Braun’s purchase of my masters as it was announced to the world. All I could think about was the incessant, manipulative bullying I’ve received at his hands for years. 

Like when Kim Kardashian orchestrated an illegally recorded snippet of a phone call to be leaked and then Scooter got his two clients together to bully me online about it. (See photo) Or when his client, Kanye West, organized a revenge porn music video which strips my body naked. Now Scooter has stripped me of my life’s work, that I wasn’t given an opportunity to buy. Essentially, my musical legacy is about to lie in the hands of someone who tried to dismantle it.

This is my worst case scenario. This is what happens when you sign a deal at fifteen to someone for whom the term ‘loyalty’ is clearly just a contractual concept. And when that man says ‘Music has value’, he means its value is beholden to men who had no part in creating it. 

When I left my masters in Scott’s hands, I made peace with the fact that eventually he would sell them. Never in my worst nightmares did I imagine the buyer would be Scooter. Any time Scott Borchetta has heard the words ‘Scooter Braun’ escape my lips, it was when I was either crying or trying not to. He knew what he was doing; they both did. Controlling a woman who didn’t want to be associated with them. In perpetuity. That means forever. 

Thankfully, I am now signed to a label that believes I should own anything I create. Thankfully, I left my past in Scott’s hands and not my future. And hopefully, young artists or kids with musical dreams will read this and learn about how to better protect themselves in a negotiation. You deserve to own the art you make.

I will always be proud of my past work. But for a healthier option, Lover will be out August 23. 

Sad and grossed out,

Taylor

My Taylor Journey is Full Circle

The fact that on the day that Taylor is releasing a new era with a new label and her true and unadulterated self and is going to be interviewing with Robin Roberts holds more meaning than I can express.

When I say that I’ve been a fan of @taylorswift since before the beginning, I mean before she was signed or even knew she was going to get signed. You see, waaaaay back when Taylor was a wee little bean, I always watched Robin Roberts and she did a segment called, “Up and Coming Artists” … one night she went to commercial break by saying, “And coming up in our Up and Coming segment, I’ll be talking to a young country artist by the name of Taylor Swift…”

I remember watching the interview and thinking, “This girl is intelligent and a little bit of a spaz but has a great energy…but I’m not sure if Taylor Swift is her real name…” haha!! I wrote everything down in my journal that night, about how she seems smart at such a young age, how I loved her sound and crazy enough, I wrote, “If anyone gives this girl a chance, she very well could change the industry…” …. and look where we are, today…the most confident Taylor, ever, being interviewed by the one anchor that basically started it all.

I couldn’t be more proud of you, @taylorswift. You’ve empowered many and inspired even more. One day, I’d like to show you that journal entry. But until then, I’ll keep watching you evolve and succeed and thrive and inspire!!

This statement is most likely false but @taylorswift LOOK HOW GOSH DARN CUTE MY MOMMA IS !!!

@taylorswift

I just need to take a second to put it out there..

for those who need to hear it with this new era finally starting that just because you haven’t gotten a like / reblog / noticed by Taylor does NOT in any way, shape or form make you any less worthy than those who have. I know it can be so frustrating and hard and sometimes even heartbreaking when she’s noticing people all around you. You get to a point where you feel so close that you stay up all hours of the night, posting and reblogging yourself (even though you have to work an 11 hour shift the next day), just trying to get her attention. We put so much time into creating crazy videos and illustrating text posts and pictures of our reactions the second she does anything. I know how badly it can hurt to feel like you’re not being seen, but just because she doesn’t physically like something doesn’t mean she’s not seeing it. She sees so much more than we all think she does. We invest so much time, money and all of our energy into loving and supporting her but we need to try and remember is that she is only one person and she can only do so much. Taylor does her absolute best to be there and show her love and appreciation to all of us. There are hundreds of thousands of us and only one of her. That’s got to be a lot of pressure on a single person. I wholeheartedly believe that Taylor is equally thankful for all of us. She KNOWS that we are the ones who have always stood by her side, never judged her, always had her back and have always loved her unconditionally, no matter what she’s going through. I just don’t want anyone to feel like they’re not good enough because she hasn’t like something you’ve posted. You are ALL worthy of Taylor’s love, even when it may not exactly feel like it. Timing is a funny thing. I believe that with a little bit of hope, and a whole lot of faith our chance will come. But only when the time is right. Keep being you, embrace your individuality, love yourself and never, ever give up. 💜🦋

This @taylorswift

4 years ago today and I’ve never forgotten the feeling of complete and utter happiness that you’ve given me. My love for you just grows by the second. I love you so, SO much. ❤️ @taylorswift

Hey, @taylorswift ... maybe some more love for this one, soon? ❤️

MOI!

(Since we’re apparently speaking FRENCH NOW)

PEEP THE TEAR ROLLING DOWN MY CHEEK LOLLLLL I AM SO PROUD

Not the first time @taylorswift made this girl cry...won’t be the last ... I’m the best of ways!

What a freaking BOP I am going to be up all night and my boss is soooo going to kill me tomorrow but nothing has ever been more worth it

@taylorswift

@taylorswift

who’s awake at 2:45am memorizing lyrics when they have to work at 7am??? ME!

who’s ass is completely and totally owned by Taylor Swift?? Also ME!

When @taylorswift turns everyone into insomniacs