It Looks Like Taylor Swift Uses an Unexpected Confidence-Boosting Trick—Here's Why It Works
Taylor Swift, former country singer-songwriter turned pop star, is taking the world by storm. In recent months, she has re-released three past albums, released a date for an upcoming movie, won nine VMA awards and broken at least five records for her Eras Tour, surpassing $1 billion in ticket sales.
Compared to her extensive repertoire and talent, her latest claim to fame is a little different. In August, a fan posted a TikTok questioning whether the singer had always chewed gum during the song “Bejeweled” while on tour. While this might seem insignificant, chewing gum (or, in this case, pretending to) can serve as a confidence booster. But how does this work, and why is Taylor Swift doing it?
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The Benefits of Chewing Gum and the Biology Behind It
People have been chewing gum for over 9,000 years for fun and to help with headaches and other ailments. From the ancient Mayan cultures' use of chicle, a substance from the sapodilla tree, to Wrigley and Fleer’s development of bubble gum, this chewy treat has been a central part of humans’ daily routines for centuries.
And recent research confirms that gum is beneficial—specifically regarding mental health.
A study from research professionals at Wrigley shows that gum chewing can reduce perceived stress. Gum chewing has physiological benefits that could increase confidence and even improve short-term memory.
Chewing increases blood flow to the brain, leading to improved alertness. This boost in blood flow might be one of the reasons why gum chewing appears to enhance focus and mental clarity. So, all in all, the less stressed we are, the lower our body’s cortisol levels are—making it easier to be more productive, alert and calm.
And while Swift isn’t your average 9-5 corporate worker, studies also show that this habit improves cognitive performance at work by limiting the brain’s reaction to distractions. So, it makes sense that the same would be true for performing on stage.
But what about pretending to chew gum? While there isn’t much research or commentary on whether or not actual chewing gum has to be physically present for these benefits to occur, it’s reasonable to assume that’s the case.
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Chewing Gum for Confidence
Now that we know that chewing gum has psychological benefits, can it actually be used to improve confidence? As a therapist, I say, "Yes!"
Confidence is more than just feeling good about yourself; it influences our self-perception and how others view us. Interestingly enough, our most seemingly daily insignificant habits—like chewing gum—can play a role in projecting that sense of self-assurance.
The same research that suggests chewing gum is beneficial to your brain also says that oral behaviors can be associated with higher self-esteem, which is a huge part of your overall self-image. These behaviors create a positive feedback loop, where positive habits reinforce a more confident version of you. This, in addition to the benefits already discussed, creates a pretty solid argument for chewing for confidence—serving as a tangible reminder of our self-worth and capabilities.
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Many comments on the TikTok video, mostly from former dancers, stated that their teachers always told them to pretend to chew gum while dancing to appear more confident, backing up the initial video’s claims.
One commenter explained, "I heard it's not real gum but more of a technique to be more confident on stage." And another agreed, saying, "It's a technique dance teachers/acting teachers use - pretend to chew gum and you instantly look confident."
More comments mentioned noticing Swift doing this during other songs throughout the entire Eras Tour.
And users on Reddit have shared how chewing gum, or pretending to chew gum, has helped their confidence levels, anxiety and more. One user shared that they feel much more confident when chewing flavored gum or candy.
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Another Reddit user responded, saying that even pretending to chew gum makes a difference on how they feel in social situations:
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Other Therapist-Backed Confidence-Boosting Tricks
As a licensed therapist, I've seen other tactics work for boosting self-confidence as well.
Surround yourself with confident, positive people. The environments you spend time in greatly impact your attitude and self-perception. If you're around people who are optimistic and focused on their goals, you're more likely to feel more confident about yourself. You want a social support network that builds you up, not one that tears you down!
Start your day with positive affirmations. As part of your morning routine, recite affirmations that increase your confidence. Research shows that practicing daily affirmations may help stimulate the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, a brain structure that assists us with self-related processing and regulating our emotions (including being happy and having a positive mindset) and anxiety.
Be kind to yourself. Negative cognitions, which are negative self-directed statements like "I am worthless" or "It's all my fault," bring us down and decrease our confidence. On the other hand, positive self-talk is a great way to boost your mood. Pay attention to how you talk to yourself, trying to be positive whenever possible.
Don't fake it till you make it. While this isn't traditional confidence advice, it does help to make sure you're being honest with yourself about your reality and your emotions. Faking confidence can be beneficial at the moment, but continually ignoring anxiety and a lack of confidence can harm you in the long run.
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