From America’s country sweetheart to Miss Americana, Taylor Swift gives us an intimate look into her journey through worldwide stardom and the personal experiences that she has endured on- and off-stage.
This docu-film has a sincere and gracefully raw feeling that stands out amongst an expected level of strategic transparency (we’re talking about Taylor Swift, after all). It is the story of a girl defined by the world’s oppressive perception of impossible perfection and acceptable goodness who finds a way back to herself. As it turns out, Taylor Swift is just a girl trying to find her place in this world.
Swift has dominated the music charts for over a decade, but Lana Wilson’s documentary “Taylor Swift: Miss Americana” boldly dives head-first into gritty topics like imperfection, politics, body image, public humiliation, and personal growth. Taylor talks about the effects of becoming versions of herself that made others happy while, ironically, losing her own voice and sense of self.
There’s an immense amount of pressure on girls to achieve the approval of others, look a certain way, do what it takes to be liked by others and viewed as a good person, mask our emotions to appear strong or capable, prove our worthiness at home and in our careers – the list could go on and on. Ask any female of any age and they’ll probably tell you they feel the need to fit these societal constraints – the only difference is they don’t have an entire world watching them with bated breath to provide unprompted commentary, for worse or for better.
“I became the person everyone wanted me to be,” Swift bravely reveals, but when too many people wanted her to be too many things, she realized she needed to become herself first.
Swift’s narrative will resonate with viewers because the topics are universal and relatable, and so is the person telling the story. It will also undoubtedly receive its share of criticism, but Taylor Swift no longer cares because she is using her voice to do the next right thing for her.
“Taylor Swift: Miss Americana” debuts worldwide on Netflix on January 31. To view the trailer CLICK HERE
Jessica Bernstein
