These Wild Fan Theories About Taylor Swift’s New Album Have Just Been Debunked
It took all of a second for fans to start dissecting Taylor Swift’s new single, “Look What You Made Me Do.” From allegedly calling out Kanye West to referencing her feud with Katy Perry, Swifties and haters alike found endless hidden meanings in the song’s visuals and lyrics. There’s a few fan theories, however, that were way off the mark: at least according to members of the singer’s crew, who worked with the songstress on the record.
For starters, there’s been much controversy surrounding the album’s release date: Reputation is set to drop on November 10, which just so happens to mark the 10-year anniversary of the passing of Ye’s mom, Donda West. Given Swift’s past with the rapper, some were quick to condemn the move as a cruel power play, calling it “horrendous, egregious and disgusting.”
Taylor scheduling REPUTATION's release for the 10th anniversary of Donda West’s death is such an egregious and disgusting miscalculation
— Eric Renner Brown (@ericrennerbrown) August 25, 2017
Now, a publicist for the songstresses’ record label is clearing up the drama, saying that the date coincidence was completely unintentional. “It is standard practice that releases come out on Fridays and we locked in this release date based on other Universal Music Group releases,” the record label rep told People, stressing the fact that “there is no correlation.”
Taylor Swift is trying to become a Gluten Free Beyoncé pic.twitter.com/4jpioDI2LU
— LIL DURAG DONDADA (@TGRAVY336) August 25, 2017
Then, there are those Beyoncé comparisons that came swiftly (pun intended!) after the musician dropped her teaser trailer video for “Look What You Made Me Do,” which featured her in a black leotard surrounded by backup dancers in similar getups. The clip, for many, was eerily similar to that of Queen Bey’s “Formation” video, but according to the video’s director, Joseph Kahn, she was not his inspiration — far from.
I've worked with Beyoncé a few times. She's an amazing person. The #LWYMMDvideo is not in her art space. Love and respect to Bey.
— Joseph Kahn (@JosephKahn) August 26, 2017
“I’ve worked with Beyoncé a few times,” he began. “She’s an amazing person. The #LWYMMDvideo is not in her art space. Love and respect to Bey.”
Before video release: Kahn copying Lemonade
After video release: Kahn copying obscure K Pop video made in North Korean prison in 2006 😘
— Joseph Kahn (@JosephKahn) August 25, 2017
In fact, he says he had a different inspo entirely. “Before video release: Kahn copying Lemonade,” he wrote. “After video release: Kahn copying obscure K Pop video made in North Korean prison in 2006.” Innnnteressttting!
What’s more, Kahn says fans should reserve judgment until they see the final product, as “there’s something to that “Formation” shot I painted out and you haven’t seen yet. Stay tuned Sunday :) ”
The full vid is set to premiere during Sunday night’s MTV VMAs.
We can’t wait!
Are you excited for the debut of Tay’s new music video? Tweet us @BritandCo.
(Photo via @taylorswift)
