Meeting Taylor Swift!!
So, as I’m sure we all know by now that AT&T Now turned all of our worlds upside down last night in Chicago... so here’s my story!
We got emails to RSVP to this top secret event that we weren’t supposed to post about. Was I a bit “onto them” in regards to a Taylor Swift appearance? Absolutely. But did I foresee any of the other happenings? No. I had no idea what was going down.
So they emailed us a meeting place. They confiscated all of our stuff. And then they bussed 200 of us off to the top secret location. They brought us in an alley way and then brought camera men on the bus. They filmed us getting off the bus and walking into the event. There was Reputation stuff EVERYWHERE.. cool light up signs (that I wish I could’ve had my phone to document!), Reputation arcade games, a light up dance floor, an open bar with Reputation themed bar... I had a glass of wine to calm my nerves and my friend had the End Game which she said was super good..
Any ways, we took pictures at all these different photo opp spots, upon doing so the AT&T reps give you tickets. So we collected 50 and went to this room where you redeem a prize in exchange for the tickets you’ve collected : shirts, hoodies, water bottle, fanny pack, coaster set, polaroid camera (sold out so quickly), signed vinyl, lithograph... we both got the black zipper hoodies for 50 tickets. Then went back into the main event. We began walking through the door that leads back to the bar, when we heard screaming coming from that room and a bunch of “oh my god!!!”’s. Then a man said “WALK — DONT RUN!” As we made our way through the door frame, swarmed with people, to discover that doors in the bar area had lifted up to expose a stage that was glittered with a piano and three guitars. We all rushed this room. We began freaking out, chanting Taylor’s name, crying, the usual..
Then... she comes out. In a green jumpsuit, like a jumper pilot. She was so great. She was so genuinely happy and responsive to us. She played acoustic versions of Delicate, Gorgeous, and Shake it Off, then played ALL TOO WELL and New Years Day on the piano! Like, whaaaat?! I’d tell you everything she said, but there will be a video and you can watch for yourself without it being completely spoiled!!
So right before shake it off,she told us that she could either play more music or meet us all. We went insane. She then said that honesty is the best policy and she wants to be straight forward with us. She said that she’s on tour and really doesn’t want to ever cancel a show, so she tries to prevent getting sick.. she said she was told to rest her voice so she was trying not to talk much and we would get one photo in groups of four. Which was so unbelievably generous. Like, she’s trying to rest yet is going to hang out with 200 of us?! What a queen.
So then they grouped us by colors of bracelets they gave us at the beginning of the event in order to meet her. My friend, Stef, and I made friends with a couple behind us to be in our group of four.. they were so nice. So we were standing in line and I’m hyperventilating and crying because we just got a super intimate concert from one of the most popular artists and like...what in the WORLD?! Anyways. We got closer. And closer. AND CLOSER. and would see people coming out in their groups of four after having had met her, crying, huge smiles on their face, or with looks of pure disbelief.. Then we got to the room she’s in. It was curtained off. They lead you closer by group of four. So the group of four in front of us was the next to meet her. And then right before their group walked in, ANDREA (her mom) CAME INTO THE ROOM... what the heck!? So then we got brought up to the spot right outside her curtained area. The man in front of it said to me that Taylor left and I told him that wasn’t funny. Then he asked if I wanted to peek in the room. I said noooo, but did it anyways. I peeked and then almost passed out. She was so close. Then, Andrea came to talk to our group. I hugged her and told her I loved her. She told us she was watching the screens of us as the concert was going on and that we all did such a great job. Then one of the boys in our group said, “Andrea.. YOU did such a great job!!” And motioned to the room Taylor was in. Andrea smiled so big and said, “well she made it so easy on me. She’s my best friend and always has been. We get together and just laugh so much.” Omg :’). So we talked with Andrea a bit more. And then it was our turn to enter the room.. we walked up to sweetest Taylor. She hugged me, I told her I loved her.. obviously she said it back. Then after hugging us all she was standing in front of us four and scanned our faces and got to the end and came back to mine, eyes wide, and said “you... I remember you..? Long ago???” And i said “yes! In 2009 you and your mom brought me backstage at a festival to hang out after I sent you a gift!!” And she smiled “omg I rememberyou!! Thank you so much! It’s so great to see you again!!!” And I died. Then said “and you liked and commented my stuff on Instagram after i dressed up as you for Halloween. NBD!” And she said “yes yes!!! It’s so great to see you!” Then talked to the boys a bit and complimented one on his makeup. Then asked us to take a picture. So we did. And after the picture I hugged her again and asked if I could tell her something before we go. She said of course. So I thanked her for being such a great role model and for being so confident and admirable and how that’s helped me in my teaching.. and she said “you’re a teacher?! Thank you SO much for doing that. Seriously. Thank you so much.” And I fumbled my words like an idiot and just said “oh yeah.. it’s a hard one..” lmao like what does that mean..? So then she was hugging us goodbye and I said “ok Taylor.. one more thing. Who is ‘superstar’ about?” And she smiled and said “hmmm that’s a good one. I feel. I feel like it’s about a lot of people haha. I had so many unreasonable crushes when I was younger that I feel like it’s about a bunch of people.” And she smiled and I said “ohhh okay ‘I’ll never tell’ is holding true!” And laughed and she thanked us for coming and then we exited the room.
Then we got asked to do an exclusive interview.. so we all did. And I got asked about Delicate, and gave a good response that I hope gets featured somewhere hahaha.
But oh my god. I still cannot believe this happened. I can’t believe she was on vocal rest and still met and talked with all 200 of us. I can’t believe we got a private concert. I can’t believe how great and sweet she is. I can’t believe she remembered me from nine years ago. And most of all, I can’t believe it’s real.
Still waiting on the pictures to get released! But wow. What. A. Night. Thank you so, so much @taylorswift for being such a genuine soul. I’ll never not be on your side. I love you.
