Here’s the gist:
This past week, I was bait-and-switched by a British reporter, who claimed she was interested in helping me get BOTH my Taylor Tribute work AND my fantasy cosplay out to a bigger audience.
I mostly keep this OFF social media, but yes, the past few months I’ve had a lot of requests for tribute work, so I’ve been taking inquiries and accepting professional gigs as a Taylor Swift impersonator. I work with a trustworthy agent out of Orlando, and it is very much a part time thing I do for fun, as well as some supplemental income.
And, of course, the ONE time I agree to share my experience these past few months, my story is sold to a tabloid and spun completely out of context with false, fabricated headlines. (Despite being specifically told they would not be permitted to change direct quotes or facts recorded during the interview).
If you’ve already seen the articles, then know that I don’t condone what was written in those headlines, and I have both reached out to the reporter and reported the article for falsifying information.
This is why I decline 95+ % of interviews, brand deals and other inquiries that could end with nefarious consequences, as a Taylor Swift “look alike.” Most of the time, they could give a shit about your integrity, and I have too much respect for Taylor as a fan, and too much respect for myself.
But this can be hard to navigate. I’m constantly torn between wanting to be brave and “put myself out there!” and not miss a good opportunity, and wanting to tread cautiously and protect my peace.
Normally I am a pick-your-battles and “rise above” kind of girly. However, when someone publishes blatant lies about you to the general public that paints you in a truly negative light, and you can clear it up with a few simple screen captures and an explanation, sometimes you just need to do that.
Thus, in the name of respect and protecting my peace, I have a story of my own to share with all of you who might care to hear about my experiences interviewing with the British press, and why I don’t recommend it.
The Bait
First Call
Last Thursday, I was approached by a reporter who expressed interest in interviewing me about my part time work as a Taylor Swift Tribute/Celebrity Impersonator. We had an initial phone call where she explained the process and asked a few questions to get to know me better.
I confirmed that I am newer to the world of celebrity impersonation, though I’ve been a performer my whole life, and that I only do this part time. When asked about my social media, I also clarified that I don’t do Taylor Swift look-alike content, as I’ve found that to be a very negative and toxic experience online. People are receptive and even excited about in person, surprisingly, but it’s very different on the internet.
Instead, I explained, for online content I do fantasy cosplay, and that I’m really more of a cosplay-nerd-turned-celebrity-impersonator than a career look-alike. I’m just the type of person with a lot of interests and irons in the fire–always have been. Overall sticking to doing tribute work in person, and creative, fantasy themed content online was a good balance for me, and a much more pleasant experience with each.
After this part of the conversation, I was assured it would be no problem, and that she still thought I had an interesting story, should I wish to continue. In fact, she even went on to say that she hoped getting my story out there would help me better reach an audience for BOTH of these pursuits, and that she was happy to help with that.
(Yet hardly (if any) of my own creative endeavors were mentioned in the final article or its variants. My socials weren’t even linked, which, maybe in hindsight is for the best?)
Second Call
Next, I was set up for a formal interview with a different reporter on a second phone call. I was informed it would be with a student journalist and that the call would be recorded. I was open to speaking with a student as, I myself, have a journalism degree, and am no stranger to the interview process.
Having said this please don't crucify me on my spelling or brevity. I'm a story teller, not an editor or a bulletin news reporter.
Overall, I actually thought it went pretty well. I will admit I was surprised at the lack of personal questions. I know the article wasn’t about me me, exactly, rather about “my life as a celebrity tribute.” I wasn’t even asked about my favorite Taylor Swift album or song, I offered that information later when asked if there was anything else I wanted to add because It felt…lacking.
I did SPECIFICALLY mention this was just a part time thing, so you would think they would want to know what else I do with my time or how I separate the Taylor of it all from the rest of my life?
Most of the questions seemed to be about my experience as an impersonator walking around in public. To this I carefully explained that, while people do approach me from time to time or bring it up in conversation, it’s not at all like I don’t live a totally normal life and can’t go anywhere. It’s more so that there is no rhyme or reason to when someone randomly might come up and say “I’m sure you get this all the time, but you remind me so much of Taylor Swift.”
It does happen. It’s not an everyday thing.
I also never complained about the comparison once. It's not a hinderance to my daily life, and I think Taylor is stunning, so why would I?
I was even quick to point out that Taylor is currently so high on everyone’s radar, and because I’m tall, and blonde etc. that’s probably why it even happens as much as it does, which isn’t even absurdly often.
It’s just that it does sometimes happen.
I shared that I don’t go out in public intentionally dressed like her outside of a gig, and I have never gone out trying to trick people or incite a crowd. I have too much respect for Taylor than that and try to portray her with the utmost integrity. While there are similarities, there are plenty of differences too!
Again, I was very intentional with everything I said. Firstly, I know how the media love to spin even the most innocuous of things. Second, I really genuinely wanted to bring back some shred of credibility to the concept of a Taylor Swift look alike/tribute/impersonator.
There’s been so much controversy over the past few years about this in both social and mainstream media. I just wanted to show that there are at least SOME normal, level headed people out there who have fun performing and celebrating their favorite celebrity’s art form, while still living a very normal, balanced life.
But as I learned the hard way: well behaved impersonators don’t make good headlines. And the British media are NOT afraid to fabricate them regardless.
Follow Up
I was told there would likely be some follow up to my official interview, this came via written correspondence.
Thank goodness, because this is where it becomes more than just my word against theirs (more on that in a moment, or you can skip to it here).
After the reporter felt she had everything she needed for her story, she went to work writing it. I was contacted by the initial reporter one last time to “fact check a few things”, and get instructions for sending photos in to accompany it.
I was read a preliminary rough draft of the article, which I wasn’t expecting, as this is not normal practice. However, I was told it was for the purpose of again, “fact checking,” which I’m glad they did, because I was able to correct a couple of things I thought were misleading already. Overall though, I will say the article wasn’t bad. In fact, a few of the quotes I thought captured me quite well, and overall it portrayed me in a relatively positive light.
I sent over some media, photos and video, and was told the story would go out Thursday, the 7th of March.
But I wasn’t expecting what came next… (insert absurd clickbait meme)
The Switch
At first, just a few online publications (I’d never heard of) released the story. The title was annoyingly misleading, but not awful.
“Taylor Swift look alike can’t go anywhere without fans doing a double take.”
“I’m Taylor Swift’s doppelganger, her fans always mistake me for the superstar.”
I’ll take shit I never said for $1000.
True, people have said they’ve done a double take or would mistake me for Taylor if they didn’t know she wasn’t insert Eras Tour location. This has happened, but it’s all in light hearted spirit, and keep in mind, everyone’s perception is different.
A few people say things like this…not “ALWAYS!” Nor did I ever say I “can’t go anywhere.” In fact, I specifically refuted that notion when it was asked of me.
Personally, I think:
“Fantasy cosplayer turned Taylor Swift tribute– turns heads and makes lucrative side hustle as impersonator”
Would have been an intriguing and whimsical headline.
“Meet Taylor Swift’s ‘Medieval Twin’” also would have been catchy and more intriguing if they insisted on going that route versus, yet another look-alike giving:
“OMG I cAn’T gO aNyWhErE wItHoUt PeOpLe ThInKiNg I’m TaYloR.”
Like, I’m bored and annoyed reading those headlines, and the article is about me. And honestly, I’d find me obnoxious too if that was my first impression! Hence my issue with all of it.
So of course, I was frustrated and put off by the headlines, but while the media love their sensationalism, the article itself was still quite true to what was read to me initially, so I waited to react. I hoped that if people can get past the title, they’ll surely see who I am and what I’m trying to get across.
I was still disappointed by the lack of mention of my fantasy content or use of my fantasy themed photos, but again, I understand this was mostly meant to be about the Taylor Swift of it all.
Then, just when I thought everything had blown over and essentially flew under the radar, a few days later, the Daily Fail chimes in:
“Taylor Swift lookalike who has been dubbed the popstar’s ‘TWIN’ reveals she gets mobbed on the street by sobbing fans.”
THE ACTUAL FUCK. My interview was that air tight that they had to now completely fabricate an entire headline to make it “interesting enough” for the Mail? What in the hellscape version of telephone just happened? How are they even allowed to do that?
I wish I could act all cool and unaffected, but I’m just not one of those people who just assumes all publicity is good publicity. Trash is trash, and when people are just straight up bending the facts and lying about things you said, it’s time to speak up and correct the record.
Luckily, I have:
The Proof
As I mentioned my first two interactions were over the phone, whilst the third included written follow up questions. I have screen captures of that conversation here:
Notice when asked “Would you say you can’t go anywhere” my direct response is: “I WOULDN’T say that, per se, it’s more like…” Yet that line featured itself in almost every headline, until even that was too vanilla.
No, as we’ve learned, the Daily Fail is a special breed of heinous, and needed to fabricate things even further to deem my story worthy of gracing its toxic cesspool of clickbait. If I had known ahead of time, I would have said “Pass. Let the story die.”
Anyway, as you can see, I NEVER say I was “mobbed.”
Rather, I gave an anecdote about being approached by two girls, who were Swifties, while out to dinner together with a group of my friends after a medieval faire in Tennessee. I also clearly state that the girl who came to talk to me confessed she had been tearful and shaken by the IDEA that I might be Taylor, all dressed up in cosplay attire, from across the room.
Furthermore, I love how a cutesy, unserious nickname that my fantasy friends have thrown around here and there inside our community somehow became my own self-proclamation of being Taylor’s “TWIN.”
Part time look alike, not a full time single white female
Let’s actually take a moment to clear up a major misconception, shall we?
As I was quick to point out in my correspondence, I’m WELL aware of the fact that my height and current hairstyle, coupled with the inescapable phenomenon of Taylor mania contribute greatly to people approaching me in public, if they even do. Never have I claimed to be her carbon copy.
The point is, I’m a look alike, not a “look exact”, as I’ve heard others say. Furthermore, I’m a part time look alike, not a full time single white female.
I embrace any natural similarities because its fun and flattering, simple as that.
I explicitly state that I don’t try to go out of my way to style myself just like her on a daily basis for the purpose of fooling people or drawing attention. I only emulate Taylor in a way that any normal fan might draw inspiration from in the way of winged eyeliner or a cute hairstyle (hence why I sent in a picture or two of me in daily life: hair naturally curly, sans blue contacts, red lips and sparkly outfits).
Also worth mentioning: I don’t have cats like Taylor, I have two dogs. I don’t copy her handwriting, or the way she holds a pen. I don’t wear extra high heels to fake my height (I’m already 5’10”) and I’ve never had a cosmetic procedure or surgery to alter my appearance in any way, save for some microneedling I had done for acne scarring 10 years ago. ANY physical resemblance I may or not bear is natural.
As far as how I live my life? I’m certified in both skydiving, and SCUBA. And, not to brag, but not only can I do a cartwheel, but also a backflip. I’m a fantasy writer, and cosplayer. I love Cons and Ren Faires, balls and any excuse to dress up. I help my husband run a small business. We love hiking and walking the beaches with our dogs, here in New England where we currently reside. We also love to travel domestically and abroad.
In other words, I can very easily and distinctly separate myself from the Taylor Swift of it all, and it’s sad that some people can’t. This kind of behavior is why people assume look-alikes "creepy" and "obsessive." The Mail obviously wanted to paint me that way for clicks and engagement which is, in a word, pathetic.
As for my photos and videos, I do my best to avoid filters and heavy edits. I admit to blurring a blemish, brightening up some dark circles or correcting some bad lighting here and there because I’m human. However, I’m painfully aware of the fact that people compare your photos to how you look in real life, and while I could easily edit the shit out of my content to fool people, I don’t.
So what you see is what you get.
While I have plenty of my own insecurities, I’m quite content with how I look regardless if I’m emulating Taylor or not. I also feel like sometimes the least interesting thing about me is how I look, but I know appearance is what people notice–especially online, so of course it’s nice to feel good in your own skin too.
Whether or not you think I look like Taylor, 100% of my friends from social media who have then met me in person agree that I look exactly like my photos and videos, which is more than I can say for some.
This isn’t to say that filters can’t be fun sometimes, but to use them or things like Facetune exclusively for the purpose of fooling people to think you look just like a celebrity is a bit deranged, and any public meetups or appearances will be all too telling. So what’s the point?
Personally, I was really hoping they’d focus less on the pure “look alike” angle of it all and talk more about what it takes to work as a tribute performer or impersonator. (And of course I was foolishly hoping they’d at least mention a little more about my fantasy content and other things that balance my life from this side gig, but so it goes.)
Why this is all such a problem
Other than the obvious lack of trust in journalistic integrity, I just straight up didn’t say the things coming from the headlines, and the false light this paints me in presents a problem for many reasons.
One being that some sections of the article written about me are actually half decent. It’s a shame a lot of people probably won’t read it or will automatically read it with a negative lens because of the ridiculous title. Like I said, I probably wouldn’t either.
Let’s not even discuss the comment section.
The other issue is that it perpetuates a LOT of misconceptions about “look-alikes”, tribute artists and impersonators I was trying to clear up. The title makes it sound like I’m purely attention seeking, and complaining or bragging (or both somehow?) like my life must be “so hard” or “so crazy” because I just cannot go out in public without being swarrrrrmed.
* gag me *
They're also going to be extra rude, cruel, and scrutinizing when picking me apart physically.
Highly worth mentioning: You don’t need to be a clone to be a good tribute artist. It certainly helps in some aspects to be a “look alike”, but even so, a vague passing resemblance is enough to work with if you’re a charismatic, passionate, and talented enough performer.
At the end of the day it's all subjective anyway.
I’ve likened it to performers at Disney portraying the different princesses or other “face characters” as they’re called (anyone not wearing a full suit or mask). You have a general “look” that gives the right vibe for your character, and you enhance that with hair, makeup and costume, yielding a resemblance that allows the public to buy into the illusion for a brief time for entertainment’s sake.
I know Taylor Swift is not a fictional character, thus some have taken issue with people impersonating or cosplaying as her. I’d like to postulate that celebrities in our culture do take on a performance “persona", on stage and in music videos, different to how they go about daily life. THAT is what I try to emulate when I tribute her work.
There is also a difference between transparently impersonating a celebrity professionally versus trying to fool people for your own clout. As I’ve mentioned, I’m not in the business of the latter.
I thought this news story was supposed to be about my experience as a working tribute who came from a background of dance, theater, pageantry and most recently, fantasy cosplay. Instead of taking the time to share my own interests, skills and talents, the press did what it does best and sensationalized the article through a specific lens focused on ONE aspect for clicks.
The most fucked up part is that somehow I feel at fault, like somehow I’m the one who did something wrong because of a nefarious outcome. I should have seen it coming. I shouldn’t be so trusting.
But I’ve been reassured the past few days by good, trustworthy people that everyone has to take risks and put themselves out there to some degree. What happened to me was bullshit. I gave them nothing so they made up something, cruel and uncaring what the repercussions on my end may be. I have every right to be pissed and expose the truth.
What they didn’t tell you
Again–I don’t do this as a “full time career.” I do this very much on a casual, as requested basis. I don’t know how long or fully involved in this industry I may become, I take it day by day.
I don’t do this for “attention/clout/to trick people.” I do it because it’s fun and I love Taylor’s work. I keep virtually all of it offline.
I actually fully disclosed to the reporter that when it comes to social media, I have actually had more success as a fantasy creator with a sometimes Taylor flair, than as a traditional Taylor Swift “look alike.” I know I’ve already mentioned the positivity aspect of it–most people see that I have my own sense of creativity and imagination.
I’m not someone who’s too hung up on numbers…but what you might be surprised to find is this: I’m well aware that, statistically speaking, I have gained more virality, followers, and overall positive engagement from fantasy videos (whether I resemble Taylor Swift or NOT) than I ever have from trying to resemble Taylor online in a traditional sense.
Again, I disclosed all of this to the reporters covering my story, and while audibly shocked to hear it, it was their choice not to mention that as a point of interest in my final article.
Ultimately, I’m disappointed because my aim with this interview was to try and show that you can be a celebrity impersonator/look alike/tribute and still have a very balanced, grounded life. Yes, there are some concerning people out there, as there is in any industry, but there are some really talented, balanced and grounded entertainers out there too!
Where it goes from here
(Insert all of the cheesy “Shake It Off” references).
I’m honestly still trying to figure that out in the aftermath. Of course, I’m letting the dust settle, and of course I know to be in this industry, one must maintain a thick skin. Thank you to everyone who has reached out and laughed, commiserated or shared supportive sentiments with me. I'm so grateful to you.
However, one thing I won’t tolerate is being baited, switched, and outright lied to (or about), without sharing my side of the story.
As I mentioned I have already reached out to the head reporter I spoke with initially, and told her I wasn’t okay with what was being printed, and that I no longer wanted to associate with their newsroom. She has yet to respond but I would like to ask for a redaction, or at least to have the headline changed.
Furthermore, a kind friend sent me a link to report the article for falsifying information, which I have done.
I figured the best way to respond to this was to do what I do best: use my writing skills to share the truth with all of you and cut through the bullshit. At least if people come looking, they’ll know what really happened and who I really am.
Overall I just feel hurt, frustrated and betrayed. And for what?
I want to continue doing Taylor Swift tribute work with class, integrity and passion for her music, but sometimes it just gets to be a lot. I’d like to think I can acknowledge my privilege and the fun of it all that it’s something I even get to do for part time work, whilst also still disclosing how mentally, emotionally (and honestly at times physically) demanding it can be.
Some days can be pretty hard. Especially since I also have a lot of my own endeavors I enjoy and want to pursue further, and I just want people to recognize that’s as much a part of me as any of my tribute work. As much as I adore Taylor and know it comes with the territory of being an impersonator, the day in-day out comparisons to a successful, gorgeous billionaire can be a bit much, and I definitely need breaks from that.
Sometimes I think about ditching the whole traditional “look alike” act altogether and going for something more unique and creative. There’s already one Taylor Swift slaying her own career, why not bring something new into the mix that Swifties would still find fun and familiar?
Honestly, if it were up to me, I would put together a Taylor tribute act called:
“Faelor Swifte: Enchanted to Meet You”
--a magical celebration of Taylor Swift’s music.
Think if Peach PRC and Taylor Swift’s Folklore/Evermore/Speak Now eras had a baby. It would include whimsical dream pop versions of Taylor's most fantasy coded tracks, and medieval fantasy versions of her eras tour costumes. But is there even an audience for that?
Of course I’ll keep making fantasy content and working on my book. I don’t think I’ll ever stop writing or blogging. I’m grateful for my online community every day, because you all encourage and inspire me to live like my inner child depends on it, because she does. This weird, whimsical and wonderful world we’ve created together is everything. It might not be for everyone but like, if you’re boring, just say that.
Seems like you've now had the most Taylor experience of all: being wildly misrepresented by the media. They helped you become more like her. How meta!