Taylor Swift delivered her first-ever commencement speech and received a Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa, from NYU on May 18. And after she received her accolade, she gave the audience personal anecdotes, imparted wisdom from her career and assured them that making mistakes is inevitable.
Swift began her speech while referencing her hit 1989 song, “Last time I was in a stadium this size, I was dancing in heels and wearing a glittery leotard. This outfit is much more comfortable.” “To all the parents, family members, mentors, teachers, allies, friends and loved ones here today who have supported these students let me say to you now: Welcome to New York. It’s been waiting for you,” she added.
Acknowledging she never had a “normal college experience,” Swift shared some of her best ‘life hacks’ and later explained why she no longer believes in giving ‘advice.’ “Life can be heavy, especially if you try to carry it all at once. Part of growing up and moving into new chapters of your life is about to catch and release,” she said. “Secondly, learn to live alongside cringe… I had a phase where, for the entirety of 2012, I dressed like a 1950s housewife. But you know what? I was having fun.”
The superstar also reflected on her rise to stardom, recalling the ‘thinly veiled warnings’ she received from “older members” of the music industry and media. Ultimately, Swift advised the graduates to follow their “gut instincts” even in the face of fear. Just before the ceremony, the Grammy winner shared a ‘get ready with me’ video on her social media. The video starts with a barefaced Swift riding in the back of a car before it quickly panned to her in a black mini dress with makeup and hair did and sliding on her cheetah-print pump heels.
The Blank Space singer then zipped up her purple NYU gown and adjusted the cap on her head. She then posed in front of a graduation banner and a large birdcage filled with books, a camera and a Grammy award as her dad took pictures of her ready to go. In March, the prestigious Manhattan school announced Swift would be receiving the honour and addressing the school as a speaker.
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