Taylor Swift vs Kanye West and Kim Kardashian: Is it Really #TaylorSwiftOverParty or Not?

Ever since Kim Kardashian's release of those SnapChat coversations between Taylor Swift and Kanye West, there has been polarised discussion, not only regarding whether the Kimye version was a true reflection of events, but also regarding whether Taylor Swift is 'fake and calculating', as some commentators have put it. Some anti-Taylor commentators have even (perhaps prematurely) said that Taylor's image is coming apart, that fans will now desert her.

TaraElla: So like all stories, there are now two version of events. And I am inclined to back Taylor's, on the overall evidence. It was stupid for Kanye to come up with his idea anyway, of revisiting those events in 2009. Taylor has been the victim of bullying in this event, and in anything relating to this event, I believe Taylor deserves to be believed more than Kanye. (A potential 'conflict of interest' declaration here: I was a major supporter of Taylor Swift's claim to those awards back in 2009, as readers of my blog and column may remember.)

Katie: But doesn't this all go back to the long-standing accusation that Taylor Swift has been fake all along? I mean, would the real Taylor Swift please stand up? It's almost like in the You Belong With Me music video, except that there has been more than two of her. For example, there's country princess Taylor, there's the Taylor from the Begin Again video, there's the Taylor we see now, and I think there have been more Taylors in between. All these seem like different people to me. In the beginning, when I only saw one single Taylor Swift, I quite liked her. But now? I really don't know if I like her, because, I don't really like ALL the Taylors I have seen. If she doesn't address this problem soon enough, it will eventually be #TaylorSwiftOverParty whether involving Kimye or not.

Jess: I'm with Katie here. If so many people think that Taylor is fake, and she cannot prove otherwise, then her authenticity deserves to be doubted. This is not to say Kim and Kanye are to be trusted either. I don't think Taylor's career is over or anything like that however. People like her, and don't care whether she's fake or not. I even read an article somewhere saying that Taylor Swift is a brilliant popstar because she is fake.

TaraElla: I guess people can change over time. That doesn't necessarily prove that they are fake. I've heard it all before, but I've yet to see evidence that Taylor Swift is indeed fake in any way.

Katie: But take, for example, her attitude on feminism. It was not long ago that she said it was not about 'boys vs girls'. Now she's soooooo feminist. It doesn't look believable to me.

Jess: Maybe she's just been 'educated'? I don't know, I'm just saying it's possible. Some people may do this. Still, with Taylor Swift, I don't have the confidence that she is acting real.

TaraElla: I guess you two may have a point about Taylor, at least that she may have 'confused' many people with her rapid personality changes. Maybe she should address this. Still, I tend to see this as an extension of 2009, Kanye as the bully and Taylor as the victim. You have to remember that it was a Kanye song that started it all, too.

Episode 2: Should we do more for Movember? I mean, Emmy Rossum just did.

Tara: November will soon be finally over. As some of you may know, November is also Movember, where men grow moustaches to raise awareness for men's health. And some female celebrities have joined in too. Emmy Rossum did so this year, and I agree with her on the important role women can play here.

Jess: Emmy Rossum grew a moustache? Besides that being biologically impossible, it's also gross!

Tara: No, not growing facial hair ourselves. I mean, we can help raise awareness about prostate cancer and other men's health issues. We can get the men in our lives to be more aware, and do regular checkups, for example.

Jess: I don't know about that. I think men know their bodies best, and these women are just doing it for the publicity. Not that men will listen to us on their health issues anyway.

Katie: As long as it's not growing a moustache, I think we should help if we can. But if it gets to the point of growing a moustache, then you can count me out. I'm not getting ugly for the sake of any cause.

Jess: You know, I reckon if we let this women should participate in Movember thing grow, maybe one day we will all be morally obliged to wear a moustache to work. I know one office is doing it this year.

Katie: If that happens I would rather quit my job! There's no way I'm wearing a hideous, fake moustache!

Tara: Then maybe we should join forces to stop it from happening in the first place. I mean, participation is good, but not if we have to look stupid.

Jess: Relax people, it's not going to happen, I was just joking. Even though that would be a pity, because I think you two would look good with some facial hair.

Tara & Katie: What?

Jess: Just joking again.

Episode 1: Taylor Swift thinks Cool is Overrated. Do we agree?

Tara: Country singer Kelsea Ballerini recently told media that her friend Taylor Swift told her cool is overrated, and warm and human is always going to win. I think I have to agree here. I mean, everyone is always trying to be cool, but it's meaningless. On the other hand, warm sounds like a much better way to be. I mean, you can show off 'cool' friends for a few minutes, but 'warm' friends will always be there to help you when you really need it. Also, some people aren't naturally 'cool', and have to fake it. But nobody needs to fake 'warm', in fact 'warm' can't be faked. So a warm friend is always real, whilst a cool friend may not be, and may even lose her 'cool' if circumstances change. I definitely have to agree with Taylor here.

Katie: Sorry, but I cannot ever agree with Taylor Swift because I think she's fake. I think she's neither 'cool' or 'warm', she's just fake. And whilst both cool friends and warm friends can be good friends, fake friends just disappoint. Like how you have been disappointed by her 'betrayal' of country music.

Tara: Not really. I mean, I do like country Taylor better, but you can't call people fake just because they decide to do something else. And Taylor Swift is a great friend, Kelsea Ballerini said it in her interview.

Katie: It's not just that. I don't know why you like her, but, in my opinion, not only is she fake, she doesn't even do it too well. Does Fearless, Red or 1989 represent the real Taylor? Will the real Taylor Swift please stand up?

Tara: Once again, trying different things doesn't mean one is fake. I don't think I've ever worn a striped dress, but if I wore one tomorrow would I then become fake? Anyway, let's get back to the topic.

Jess: In my opinion, Taylor Swift might just have proven herself wrong. I mean, I think she used to be more 'warm', but since Red and especially in 1989 she's more 'cool'. I think she changed because 'cool' is popular and sells records.

Tara: So you think Taylor is fake too? You're agreeing with Katie?

Jess: Not really. I don't think Taylor is fake, I just think she doesn't know what she's talking about there. Honestly, I think she's like that a lot of the time.

Tara: You can't be serious.