Taylor Swift Superfans Travel 3 Hours, Stand in the Rain to Catch a Glimpse
Taylor Swift superfans waiting outside the Victoria’s Secret fashion show in London earlier this week.
Where Taylor Swift goes, many follow, and the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in London was no exception. Standing outside of Earl’s Court hours before the first Angel hit the runway, were legions of Swift’s U.K.-based superfans. A group of about 20 girls (and one guy named Justin; the girls said, “he’s cool”) arrived before the sun had even risen to try to catch a glimpse of the 1989 singer in the flesh.
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The show was taped on Tuesday so most of the group, who ranged in age from 16 to 20, played hooky from school and called in sick. “I’d do anything for Taylor,” one fan professed. “I can’t feel my legs right now.” Some even traveled more than three hours to get to the venue.
Standing outside in the rain and close to freezing temp, the crew didn’t even know if Swift would come by to see them. “We spammed her on Tumblr, Twitter, and Instagram,” a girl said in hopes that it would get the 24-year-old’s attention and draw her out to visit them behind their barricade, where many waited with arms full of presents. Swift turns 25 on December 13th and the group was prepared with cat socks (the giver was wearing a matching pair), scrapbooks, cards, and more.
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The superfans met online in fan communities and solidified their friendships in real life, meeting up at previous Taylor Swift appearances where they’d bonded over even more hours spent freezing outside. That kind of dedication pays off: Swift will follow her fans, and even meet with them one on one on occasion. “She sent seven of her fans a present in the post last week to say thank you for camping out for the last time she was here,” said one attendee.
So why would European teenagers go to such lengths for an American pop star? “She’s a sister to us. Our best friend,” one fan said. Since Swift came on the scene seven years ago, these girls have dedicated much of their free time to following her around. “We’ve grown up with her,” was an oft-repeated phrase.
The fans were still outside hours after the show, but anyone who bailed has another chance to catch Swift at the Jingle Bell Ball in London this Sunday. (And if they have a ticket, at least they’re guaranteed to see her from afar.) Asked what song they’re most looking forward to hearing live, a few answered, “Style!” “Out of the Woods!” “Bad Blood!” But one girl’s statement swiftly summed up the group’s sentiment: “Picking a favorite Taylor Swift song is like asking a parent to pick their favorite child.”
Check out yahoostylelive.tumblr.com for up-to-the-minute and behind-the-scenes updates of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
