Taylor Swift super fans given once in a lifetime opportunity to be 'Swiftie historians'
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) has appointed four British "Swifties" to become the first Taylor Swift super fan advisers to the institution to keep the singer immortalised in history
Four Taylor Swift super fans have been given a once in a lifetime opportunity to become 'Swiftie historians'. It comes as The Victoria and Albert Museum have said that they want to 'gain a deeper understanding of the culture and craftsmanship that goes into the creation of handmade signs, friendship bracelets, and fan memorabilia linked to the 14-time Grammy-winning sensation '.
The four chosen will serve as the institution's inaugural Taylor Swift super fan advisers. They were hand selected from over 1,000 applicants and for them, it's been a total Love Story.
The lucky quartet includes Kelsey Barnes, 31, a journalist with a reputation as an unofficial "Taylor Swift historian"; Dr Iona Murphy, 27, a literature professor endowed with an "encyclopaedic" grasp of all things Swift; India Meade, 28, who's been in Swift's fanbase since her teenage years; and Molly Gilroy, 27, a conservation charity employee who's penned blogs about Swift from as early as 2013.
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Kate Bailey, the museum's senior curator of theatre and performance, spearheaded the rigorous interview process. The new roles involve imparting wisdom on the intricacies of Swiftie fandom and offering insights on the Eras Tour as it makes its way through the UK, joining forces with similar fan consultants recruited by the museum just this year.
Reflecting on the sheer volume of applications, Ms Bailey remarked: "Being inundated with over a thousand applications from Swifties around the UK was incredibly humbling and a testament to Taylor Swift's impact on popular culture."
"We were thrilled to find individuals who could provide so much enthusiasm and their own insights into Swift's artistry," the team expressed.
Dr Murphy was over the moon about being chosen: "Being selected for the superfan position is something beyond my wildest dreams!"
She shared her daily excitement: "I still wake up in the morning full of excitement knowing that I get to talk about Taylor Swift to people who genuinely care."
Dr Murphy also spoke about the sense of connection working at the V&A has given her: "Working at the V&A has given me a real sense of connection to art, culture, and the community. It truly is a magical project to be a part of."
Ms Meade couldn't hide her delight at being picked for the role: "I'm so pleased to have been selected for the position of Taylor Swift Superfan at the V&A. Having been a Swiftie since I was 13, I grew up blogging and making graphics about pop culture and Taylor's music. It's been a great privilege to work together with the other superfans and share our collective knowledge with the amazing team here."
She also reflected on how her academic interests have come full circle: "As someone who wrote their undergraduate dissertation on fandom years ago, I'm excited to see the topic taken seriously and examined in a space as prestigious as the V&A."
Taylor Swift, meanwhile, has already wowed UK fans with her Eras tour performances and is set to return to London next month for additional gigs at Wembley Stadium. A selection of items from Taylor Swift's personal collection will be temporarily exhibited at the South Kensington museum this summer.
The exhibition, titled 'Taylor Swift: Songbook Trail', opens on July 27 and offers free admission. It will showcase 16 outfits worn by the pop icon. Visitors to the temporary trail will have the opportunity to view costumes and archival materials up close, many of which are being displayed for the first time.
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