Claim:
A photo shared online in August 2024 authentically showed pop star Taylor Swift posing with a man in a swastika-adorned shirt.
Rating:
True ( About this rating? )
In mid-August 2024, a Portuguese-language X account posted a photo purportedly showing musician Taylor Swift standing next to a man wearing a shirt with a Nazi swastika painted on it.
The post had amassed more than 3.3 million views as of this writing and was captioned: "I won't even elaborate on this one lol."
Online platforms and other social media users also shared the image in 2023 and 2024, with some claiming the picture was taken during Katy Perry's 25th birthday party in West Hollywood in October 2009.
(@billiekdela/X)
Some X users questioned the veracity of the photo, while others suggested it may have been created using photo editing software .
The image, which was also shared on Reddit , sparked controversy for, and accusations against, the pop star, who was 19 when it was taken, prompting concerns about her association with symbols of hate and bigotry.
Based on available evidence, we found the picture to be genuine.
According to reports, Perry's Willy Wonka-themed birthday celebration took a surprising turn when guests engaged in a painting activity turned their white attire into colorful canvases. Amid the paint-splattered chaos, Swift was photographed with an attendee, identified by multiple outlets as model AJ English , who was sporting a swastika symbol painted on his shirt.
Despite the outcry on social media and news coverage surrounding the image, Swift's spokesperson reiterated that her client did not know the male model personally, was unaware of the symbol on his shirt at the time the photo was taken, and that she had taken numerous pictures with attendees throughout the evening.
Swift's rep told TMZ in 2009: "Taylor took pictures with about 100 people that night … she doesn't know who this guy is and she didn't realize what was on his shirt."
The party's theme, reportedly inspired by "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," featured guests dressed in white attire, which they later embellished with neon paint. Per the Daily Mail , English, the individual wearing the shirt, explained that the symbol was initially intended to be an "X" but was altered during the course of the celebrations. He also clarified that he did not endorse nor support the Nazi agenda and issued an apology to Swift for the unintended controversy.
According to the Daily Mail, English posted on his X (then Twitter) account: "Front page of TMZ.... sorry Taylor."
While concerns also arose regarding the letters "JH" painted on Swift's dress that night, with some speculating it stood for "Jew Hater," multiple reports said the initials were in reference to Swift's close friend, dancer and actress Julianne Hough, who was seen exiting the party that night with the letters "TS" daubed on her white pants, likely in reference to Swift's initials.
Snopes has previously reported on controversies surrounding Swift, including rumors that she performed witchcraft while on stage during her "Eras" concert tour, as well as allegations that she " supports abortion ."
Sources:
Antony, Aaron. "'The Industry Is Filthy, as You Know': Taylor Swift's Swastika Scandal Explored as Tweet Puts Singer on Blast." Sportskeeda , 23 Aug. 2023, https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/the-industry-filthy-know-taylor-swift-s-swastika-scandal-explored-tweet-puts-singer-blast .
" Https://Twitter.Com/Dom_lucre/Status/1781362094824169637." X (Formerly Twitter) , https://twitter.com/dom_lucre/status/1781362094824169637. Accessed 22 Apr. 2024.
"Katy Perry Had a Birthday Party, so Now Taylor Swift Is a Nazi?" Los Angeles Times , 30 Oct. 2009, https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/ministry-of-gossip/story/2009-10-29/katy-perry-had-a-birthday-party-so-now-taylor-swift-is-a-nazi .
Mcconnell, Donna. "Taylor Swift in Racism Row after Posing with Fan Wearing Swastika Daubed on Shirt." Mail Online , 30 Oct. 2009, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1224117/Taylor-Swift-racism-row-posing-fan-wearing-swastika-shirt.html .
"Taylor Swift Embraces the Swastika." TMZ , 29 Oct. 2009, https://www.tmz.com/2009/10/29/taylor-swift-embraces-the-swastika/ .
"Taylor Swift's Swastika Scandal." The Daily Beast , 29 Oct. 2009, https://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2009/10/29/taylor-swifts-swastika-scandal .
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