New study sheds light on Taylor Swift’s influence on her fans’ body image and eating disorders

A new study from the University of Vermont has found that Taylor Swift’s openness about her body image and eating disorders issues positively influences her fans’ attitudes and behavior toward these issues. Published in the magazine Social Sciences & MedicineThe study analyzed social media content to find out what impact Swift’s revelations about her eating disorder had on her fans.

Taylor Swift, a globally renowned singer-songwriter, has long been known for her cultural influence, not only through her music but also through her public appearances and activism. Throughout her career, Swift has spoken openly about personal experiences and struggles, including her struggle with body image and eating disorders.

In her 2020 Netflix documentary “Miss Americana,” Swift revealed how these issues affected her, particularly while promoting her 2014 album “1989.” She spoke openly about the pressure to conform to societal beauty ideals and the resulting harmful behaviors she engaged in.

Previous research has shown that celebrities can significantly influence the attitudes and behaviors of their fans, often negatively influencing body image and promoting unrealistic beauty ideals. However, Swift’s openness about her personal challenges provided a unique opportunity to examine whether such disclosures could inspire positive change. Researchers wanted to explore whether Swift’s open conversations about her eating disorder and body image issues could promote healthier attitudes and behaviors among her fans.

The researchers selected two popular social media platforms, TikTok and Reddit, known for their active Taylor Swift fan bases. These platforms offered a diverse range of fan interactions, with TikTok being video-based and Reddit being text-based.

To collect relevant data, the researchers searched for posts about Taylor Swift, body image, and eating disorders. They used search terms such as “Taylor Swift body image” on TikTok and “body image” and “eating disorders” on Reddit. The top 100 TikTok posts and the top 101 Reddit posts, as well as the associated comments, were included in the analysis. In total, over 8,300 comments were analyzed. The posts were collected between October and November 2023.

The researchers used a qualitative thematic analysis approach to code and analyze the posts and comments. They developed a codebook based on existing literature on body image, eating disorders, diet culture, parasocial relationships, and celebrity influence. The thematic analysis allowed the researchers to identify key themes and patterns in fans’ responses.

The analysis revealed several key themes regarding fans’ reactions to Taylor Swift’s openness about her body image and eating disorder issues. One of the most important themes was the admiration and connection fans felt toward Swift.

Many fans expressed deep admiration for Swift’s courage in sharing her personal struggles, often relating her experiences to their own. This connection was especially strong among fans who had struggled with similar issues, and numerous comments highlighted how Swift’s transparency helped them feel validated and inspired to start the road to recovery.

Another key finding was the positive impact Swift’s revelations had on her fans’ attitudes and behaviors. Fans frequently reported that Swift’s openness about her body image and eating disorders encouraged them to develop healthier attitudes toward their bodies and food. Many shared personal stories about how Swift’s messages had motivated them to seek help and work toward recovery. This finding suggests that Swift’s influence went beyond mere admiration and led to tangible changes in her fans’ lives.

“Our findings suggest that fans who felt a strong connection to Swift were influenced by Swift’s revelations and messages in her music to positively change their behavior or attitudes toward food or body image,” explains study author Lizzy Pope, associate professor of nutrition and food science.

“Fans seemed to be inspired by the fact that Swift had overcome her eating disorder and seemed to be doing well afterward,” added co-author Kelsey Rose, an assistant clinical professor.

However, the study also uncovered a recurring theme of objectification. Despite the positive influence, many fans continued to objectify Swift’s body, often under the guise of admiration or deflecting criticism. This highlighted an ongoing challenge in which even well-intentioned comments perpetuate body-focused narratives and objectification, and underscores the complexity of grappling with body image issues in a celebrity-driven culture.

“Even though Swift says in Miss Americana, ‘I’m so sick of being objectified and it drove me to an eating disorder,’ fans still commented on her body. Even though it was meant positively, fans still commented, which means they didn’t fully internalize her message of ‘Please stop commenting on people’s bodies,'” Pope said.

The study also noted the impact of certain songs in Swift’s discography that addressed the topics of body image and eating disorders. Songs like “You’re On Your Own Kid” and “Tied Together With a Smile” resonated with fans who had gone through similar experiences, giving them comfort and a sense of connection. Fans often referenced these songs to illustrate their own struggles and the support they felt through Swift’s music.

Finally, the controversy surrounding the “Anti-Hero” music video, in which Swift steps on a scale that reads “fat,” was a major point of discussion among fans. While some defended Swift’s artistic expression, others felt that the scene perpetuated anti-fat bias. This debate highlighted the complexity and potential pitfalls of covering sensitive topics like body image in the media, even when the intention is to share personal experiences.

The study had several limitations. The researchers were unable to determine the demographic makeup of social media users, which could affect the generalizability of the results. In addition, the analysis was limited to English-language posts, potentially missing the perspectives of non-English-speaking fans. The focus on Taylor Swift fans, who are predominantly white millennial women, could also limit the applicability of the results to a broader audience.

Despite these limitations, the results provide important insight into the impact of Taylor Swift’s openness about her body image and eating disorders on her fans. Overall, the study highlights the powerful role that celebrity openness can play in shaping attitudes and behaviors.

“Taylor Swift can do more to change attitudes with a few sentences than we can in our entire careers,” Pope said. “That’s why it’s important to study people who have such an impact. There’s little doubt that if Swift chooses to be one, she can be a powerful voice for health, wellness and more weight-conscious practices that could bring society closer to the idea of ​​body liberation.”

The study, “‘It’s All Just Fucking Impossible’: Taylor Swift’s Impact on Fans’ Body Image, Eating Disorders, and Diet Culture Rejection,” was published on July 6, 2024.