What brought Taylor Swift to post his political message on Instagram?

A few hours after her move to Texas, Taylor Swift posted a picture on Instagram: a picture of her dancing happily on the stage wearing a glittering rainbow dress. "We had incredible time with you, Dallas. Thank you for making us the first consecutive tour in the AT & T stadium, "she wrote to her 112 million followers, of whom 1 million" liked "the photo.

Less than 24 hours later, Swift released another Instagram photo. And this one caused a collapse of the Internet.

Swift, the pop music star who launched her career in Nashville, has remained remarkably silent about her political views. Until Sunday night, when she issued a nearly 400-word message in which she endorsed Tennessee Democrats Phil Bredesen for the Senate and Jim Cooper for the House. She also criticized Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), GOP Candidate in the Senate, by writing, "Her Congressional vote record is getting on my nerves and terrifying me."

[Taylor Swift’s stunning statement: Famously apolitical star slams Tennessee Republican, endorses Democrats]

This was a shocking change for a star who refused to share her opinion on anything political even during the divisions of the 2016 presidential election. Not to mention the criticism she received for having understated the news: last January, her tweet during the March of Women ("So much love, pride and respect for those who walked in. I am proud to be a woman today" and every day. ") Generated negative feedback from those who wondered why a star who has made feminism an important part of his brand did not join other celebrities in the demonstration, nor did it further specify.

So what led to this abrupt reversal?

Time is running out as the North American tour of the Swift's Reputation Stadium tour ended Saturday. (She travels to Australia and Asia later this month.) So, not only is there no pressure to sell tickets or deal with unfortunate fans, but other problems go away also.

"The difference, I think, is that it can not become a hot topic at one of its events," said Brian Mansfield, a former Nashville-based music journalist, who covered the early days. of Swift's career in country music. "There will be no picketing. She does not put her fans at risk because of someone who might react inappropriately to that. . . . Until yesterday, this could have been a problem. "

The common idea is that Swift has been silent for so long because she did not want to alienate anyone, especially the fan base, which probably seems conservative. In Nashville, she refused to reveal who she voted for in the 2008 election, which is not a surprise. Country music publicists often advise their artists to avoid discussing politics, lest they end up in a Dixie Chicks-like situation and anger in country radio.

However, now that Swift is officially in the world of pop and sells stadiums, many feel that a political stance is unlikely to provoke an extremely negative reaction. Even though Swift occasionally has a song on the map of the country ("Babe", a co-writing she gave to Sugarland, is in the Top 20), she has already proven herself.

"Is it a risk for Taylor to express it? Will that hurt his career? No, said Beverly Keel, professor and director of the record industry department at the University of Middle Tennessee State. "But look at the attention she's getting – it's going to be a headache. So it had to be worth it for her, and she was clearly so deeply convinced that she had done it. "

Obviously, only Swift knows why she wrote it; his publicist did not answer questions about the reasons for the content and timing of its publication.

Those who follow Swift know that she has long supported various causes. She helped pop star Kesha pay her legal bills in her sexual assault trial. She donated money to the March For Our Lives student rally to end mass shootings. During her concert in Chicago in June, she gave a speech on LGBTQ rights for the month of pride.

Taylor Swift will perform on the stage during the Reputation Stadium tour at NRG Stadium last month. (Suzanne Cordeiro / AFP / Getty Images)

"In the past, I have been reluctant to publicly express my political views, but because of many events in my life and around the world in the past two years, I have a very different opinion about it now," he said. she writes. "I have always voted and will always vote according to the candidate who will protect and defend the human rights we all deserve in this country."

The Swift post details its positions ("I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is FALSE") and calls "systemic racism" in this country " terrifying, disgusting and widespread. called Blackburn's electoral record, including its positions on LGBTQ issues, and the fact that it voted against the principle of equal pay for women and against an act to protect women of domestic violence. "These are not my Tennessee values," wrote Swift.

[On the stand in her groping case, Taylor Swift was every woman. And that’s what’s so sad.]

Swift's lawsuit against sexual assault last year – a Colorado national radio DJ sued him after he lost his job, when she reported that he had lifted her skirt and felt it before a concert. Swift against the assaults and the battery for a symbolic $ 1, and won. Her burning testimony ("You can ask me a million questions, I'm never going to say anything different") made international headlines and what she called a "demoralizing" trial experience had an effect.

And of course, as social media dissected Swift's post, she was in stark contrast to her arch-nemesis, Kanye West, who had quarreled since the MTV VMA incident in 2009 when he crushed his acceptance speech. West is now a famous supporter of Trump. But in his message, Swift did not declare his party membership. She simply encouraged everyone to vote in general.

"If you like, find out about the candidates in your country and vote according to the people who best represent your values," she said. "For many of us, it is possible that we never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on all points, but we still have to vote."

Asked about Swift's remarks, President Trump said Monday: "Let's say I love Taylor's music by about 25% less now."

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