Newsletter (2017-2018) January 2018 Newsletter | Page 20

Is the Old Taylor Swift Really, Really “Dead”? A review of Taylor Swift’s sixth studio album, Reputation (2017), and an analysis of her career. By Sing Cheung Wonder Woman, portrayed by Gal Gadot in the most recent Hollywood adaptation, has emerged as a femi- nist icon. Despite the character’s influence, Ser argues more can be done in film to promote gender equality. Despite these reforms, typical female stereo- types are still employed by the entertainment industry. Many might see the film Wonder Wom- an to be a feminist icon, but it has only partially changed the female stereotype. The lead female is still fit and beautiful with long hair, thereby fitting a certain beauty standard. The costume of Wonder Woman is also more revealing than male superheroes. Moreover, a major part of her character is defined by her relationship with the male partner. In the final battle, her true power is triggered by the death of her love interest. It shows that the media has a long way to go in portraying women more authentically, and as an audience, we need to consider the messages that are delivered through pop culture. References Gauntlett, D. (2010). Media, gender and identity: an introduction. London: Routledge. Trier-Bieniek, A., & Leavy, P. (2014). Gender & Pop Culture. Sense Publishers. “The old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now… Why? Oh, ‘cause she’s dead,” sang Taylor Swift in one of her newest hits, “Look What You Made Me Do.” I bet her name needs no introduction. She has always been on the homepage of YouTube, and her signature break-up anthems are always on Spotify’s Top Hits playlist. Emerging from her roots in country and country-pop music, she has gradually shifted genres more solidly to pop. This dramatic change has not been seen as an act of treachery by Swifties, i.e. her fans; rather it helped her garner a wider fan base. Nobody can deny the fact that she is indeed a game changer who definitely knows how to play the game in the music industry. The reason why I decided to write about Taylor is that the wait for her sixth album is finally over and Reputation is now out! I was excited about the album before its release and could tell she would absolutely go beyond her last album 1989 Venus is an English education major studying at EdUHK. She is one of the student writers for the monthly newsletter. One of Taylor Swift’s looks in her music video for “Look What You Made Me Do”. Her attitude and style are noticeably darker than in her earlier years. (Screenshot: YouTube/TaylorSwiftVEVO) JANUARY 2018 20