Project Title
Analyzing the Effects of Songwriting on Famous Relationship Age Gaps
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Jennifer Flaherty
Abstract
Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato became two of the most influential female celebrities of the decade at an incredibly young age. While they have dominated the music industry, the two also recently spoke out about one thing in common: dating older men. Relationship age gaps in Hollywood are becoming more common, with celebrities such as Billie Ellish and Leonardo DiCaprio being some examples. Swift and Lovato were susceptible to the damages of these relationships in their youth due to naivety in navigating the sexist and male-dominating industry. The two artists were unaware of the dangers of power dynamic imbalances (such as grooming, manipulation, and abuse of innocence) caused by age gaps until after the romances ended. Swift and Lovato have used their talent to shed light on the consequences of their previous rendezvous with older celebrities in songs such as “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve”, and “29”. These songs, and other media including the “All Too Well” short film by Swift, can be analyzed through a theoretical lens to better understand that the take back of power allows the two prominent feminist figures to warn their female audiences of abuse that occurs in emotionally traumatic relationships. Swift and Lovato call out their former partners in these songs for taking advantage of their fame. This essay will use theoretical approaches to analyze the impact of relationship age gaps on Swift and Lovato. This will demonstrate the significance of song/film production as a means to warn an impressionable and mostly female audience of the manipulation possible in these situations through feminist and gender ideology.
Analyzing the Effects of Songwriting on Famous Relationship Age Gaps
Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato became two of the most influential female celebrities of the decade at an incredibly young age. While they have dominated the music industry, the two also recently spoke out about one thing in common: dating older men. Relationship age gaps in Hollywood are becoming more common, with celebrities such as Billie Ellish and Leonardo DiCaprio being some examples. Swift and Lovato were susceptible to the damages of these relationships in their youth due to naivety in navigating the sexist and male-dominating industry. The two artists were unaware of the dangers of power dynamic imbalances (such as grooming, manipulation, and abuse of innocence) caused by age gaps until after the romances ended. Swift and Lovato have used their talent to shed light on the consequences of their previous rendezvous with older celebrities in songs such as “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve”, and “29”. These songs, and other media including the “All Too Well” short film by Swift, can be analyzed through a theoretical lens to better understand that the take back of power allows the two prominent feminist figures to warn their female audiences of abuse that occurs in emotionally traumatic relationships. Swift and Lovato call out their former partners in these songs for taking advantage of their fame. This essay will use theoretical approaches to analyze the impact of relationship age gaps on Swift and Lovato. This will demonstrate the significance of song/film production as a means to warn an impressionable and mostly female audience of the manipulation possible in these situations through feminist and gender ideology.