See Taylor Swift – the ‘unpaid therapist’

About 300,000 Taylor Swift fans from the republic and around the region were expected to flock to the city-state this week for the megastar’s six sold-out concerts.

As the only stop in South-East Asia for Swift’s blockbuster Eras world tour, Swifties splashed out on flights and hotels to see their idol.

Ahead of the last gig yesterday, AFP spoke to six diehard fans, known as “Swifties”, about their favourite Taylor Swift song and what she means to them.

Searle Lira, 33, became a Swiftie in high school with the song Teardrops on My Guitar which helped her get over her own heartbreak from unrequited love.

Fans of US singer Taylor Swift, also known as Swifties, take photos as they arrive for the pop star’s Eras Tour concert at the National Stadium in Singapore on March 7, 2024. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)

“As a person, I feel like she’s the unpaid therapist of girls,” said Lira, a freelance journalist from the Philippines.

“All the things girls go through, you can find a Taylor Swift song that you can relate with.”

Lauren Fang, 23, first listened to Taylor Swift when she was in hospital receiving treatment for lupus. A human resource specialist from Taiwan, Fang was 18 at the time and said Swift’s songs helped her recovery.

Her favourite song is Back to December which is about regret for leaving someone.

She tweaked the lyrics for herself to say: “If I can live again, I swear I will love myself right.”

Sarah Lui, 21, began listening to Taylor Swift in primary school – and never stopped.

“I will still be a Swiftie even if I become a lawyer,” said Lui, who is about to graduate from a criminology programme in Hong Kong and embark on a law degree.

The thing about Swift she most admires is her kindness.

“She’s been so good to her team, her fans and everybody. She’s humble and kind, that’s what everybody in the world should do.“She’s a superstar but she’s never been arrogant because of her fame. She is making use of her fame to do good,” Lui said.

Men Ratiee, 23, a communications student from Bangkok, first heard about Swift on the news in 2014, when her concert in Thailand was cancelled following a coup. His favourite song is Shake It Off as it makes him feel better.

“She is an inspiration. I learn English from her songs. I sing them,” he said.

Mona He got her first smartphone when she was 15 and the first song she downloaded was Taylor Swift’s You Belong With Me.Now 24, He said attending Swift’s concert was the fulfilment of a nine-year dream.

“I admire her because she is fearless,” said He, who runs a business in China. “Although she has haters, she never, never gives up.”Renzo Gonzales, 26, said he liked Swift’s message that people should be themselves.

“Even if you have a lot of insecurities, you just have to be who you are and be happy,” said Gonzales from the Philippines who works on an international oil tanker.Gonzales said his favourite song was Daylight because it taught him that “love can be a rainbow”. — AFP