“There Will Be No Further Explanation:” Celebrity Journalism and Taylor Swift’s Reputation

Abstract

This article interrogates the changing role of celebrity journalism in the midst of an evolving digital media landscape in which a digital participatory culture drives interest and value in celebrity figures. Looking specifically to singer-songwriter Taylor Swift's purposeful retreat from conventional celebrity journalism, and indeed her open derision of news media, for the promotion of her sixth studio EP, Reputation, a case study of Reputation's release analyzes the emergent practices and platforms that are available to celebrity figures who choose to circumvent the celebrity journalism industry. Critically, however, this article also considers how the performative rejection of the 'media' (and traditional celebrity journalism), in fact allows celebrities to cultivate affective narratives and deepen emotional attachments with fans. Furthermore, as evidenced with Swift's promotional practices, a reliance on digital fan cultures in lieu of traditional media entices fans to increasingly perform emotional labour and broaden networks in which they can circulate news and 'fact check' reports and rumours, while anticipating rewards from the celebrity, and participating more directly in popular media.