New Channel 4 documentary series explores the 'telescopic scrutiny' Taylor Swift faces
A new two-part documentary by Channel 4 explores Taylor Swift living under a microscope and having her every move judged.
A new Channel 4 documentary series explores the "telescopic scrutiny" Taylor Swift faces.
Journalist Zing Tsjeng says in a preview for Taylor that the 35-year-old pop megastar is seen as a flawless 'Miss American girl’, which opens her up to all kinds of judgement, especially in the age of social media.
She says: "I think it's enormously difficult to grow up with that kind of scrutiny on you.
"I think she really is a kind of bellwether for how we, as a society, view women, because she is, in many ways, the kind of perfect blank space; she's conventionally pretty, she's an attractive white American, she is the standard for so many of the things that we are worried about, that we are concerned about as a society, because she is that perfect 'Miss American girl'.
"When you become a symbol of a much greater whole - America itself - you are always going to have people that project a lot of things onto you."
A synopsis for the two-part series reads: "Taylor is a cinematic, emotional, and deeply human portrait of the most deeply beloved – and most scrutinised – pop artist of our time. From her childhood to today, the series digs deep across her 20-year career, using rare early tapes and insight from significant cultural voices, industry insiders and fans. Her journey has been epic, and this documentary reflects all the joy and artistry, heartbreaks and high stakes of her stunning career, while showing viewers sides of Taylor Swift that they might not know or expect."
Episode one looks at Taylor’s early life and her ascent to global fame. It includes the infamous moment Kanye West interrupted her MTV Video Music Awards speech for Best Female Video, sparking one of the fieriest feuds in pop culture.
The second episode looks at Taylor’s return after a period of absence from music and social media. Taylor returned in 2017 with the album Reputation, and entered her "villain era".
It concludes with the record-breaking Eras Tour and her fairytale ending as she gets engaged to NFL star Travis Kelce.
Taylor is available to watch and stream on Channel 4, at 9.15pm on Tuesday September 30.
