Cosmopolitan UK, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Why we think Taylor Swift is a Type 3
Desire for external validation for her achievements. In the documentary "Miss Americana," Swift shares her struggles with self-worth and how her drive for success and validation has affected her life. She talks openly about how a deep need for approval drove her to work harder and achieve more.
Fear of being mediocre. Swift has talked about how her fear of being average has been the driving force for much of her work.
Workaholism. Swift shares in interviews and writings that she often prioritizes her career over personal relationships and self-care. She has a strong work ethic as seen by her intense involvement in the songwriting process and the production of her music.
Commercial attunement and adaptability. Swift made a conscious and commercially driven decision to transition from country to pop music to reach a wider audience, as evidenced by the release of her album "1989." This shift helped propel her to be the first woman to win Album of the Year three times at the Grammy Awards.
Success-driven from a young age. Swift was eager to be on stage even as a child, becoming one of the youngest songwriters signed by Sony/ATV Music publishing house at the age of 14.
Resilience. Following a period of controversy and public scrutiny, Swift released her album "Reputation" and embarked on a massive stadium tour. This comeback, showcasing her resilience and desire to regain control of her narrative, is indicative of a Type 3's determination to succeed despite setbacks.
High-profile relationships and friends. Swift’s relationships have kept her in the spotlight and indicates a desire to be associated with success, good looks, and fame. Her relationships include time with Joe Jonas, Taylor Lautner, John Mayer, Jake Gyllenhaal, Conor Kennedy, Harry Styles, Calvin Harris, Tom Hiddleston, and Joe Alwyn. During the promotion of her "1989" album and the subsequent tour, Swift was often seen with her "squad" of famous friends, including models, actors, and fellow musicians.
Building a business empire outside of music. Swift is a savvy businesswoman who has amassed a portfolio of successful business ventures as a result of her focus on marketing, partnerships, and her personal brand. She launched her own fragrance line, which includes scents like "Wonderstruck" and "Incredible Things," she has collaborated with various brands to launch clothing lines, she has signed high-profile endorsement deals with brands like Coca-Cola, Keds, and CoverGirl, she has ventured into directing and producing, and she was involved in the launch of "The Swift Life," a social network app for her fans. These ventures showcase Swift's desire to succeed in various fields, her adaptability in pursuing different business opportunities, her keen awareness of her public image, and her ambition to influence and be admired across different platforms, not just in music.
Taylor Swift quotes that show she is a Type 3
"I'm intimidated by the fear of being average."
"I want to make the most of this cultural relevance or success or whatever you want to call it because it's not going to last."
“Fearless is getting back up and fighting for what you want over and over again….even though every time you’ve tried before you’ve lost.”
“You are the only one who gets to decide what you will be remembered for.”
“As soon as I accomplish one goal, I replace it with another one. I try not to get too far ahead of myself. I just say to myself, ‘All right, well, I’d like to headline a tour,’ and then when I get there, we’ll see what my next goal is.”
“I’ve questioned everything about myself, every step of the way. You have to have the same amount of fear and self-doubt as you do hope and blind optimism.”
"I think it's important that you know that I will never change, but I'll never stay the same either."
“We don’t wish for the easy stuff. We wish for big things. Things that are ambitious, out of reach.”