A TikToker who claims to have attended high school with Taylor Swift has shared her perspective on the singer’s teenage years, revealing that Swift wasn’t universally adored by her peers.
Jessica McLane, who says she went to Hendersonville High School in Tennessee with Swift, posted a TikTok video recounting what it was like to attend school with the now-global superstar. According to McLane, many students “hated” Swift when she began gaining recognition for her music.
A Glimpse Into Swift’s Teenage Years
In her TikTok video, McLane admitted she wasn’t familiar with much of Swift’s work until recently. She began her account with what she called “a blanket apology,” stating: “I was a church kid, I didn’t really listen to Taylor Swift. I kinda just got into Taylor Swift, so give me some grace.”
She recalled the timeline of events: “In 2006, I was a freshman in high school, and Taylor was, I think, a junior. That’s around the time ‘Teardrops on My Guitar’ came out, I think over the summer. Obviously, she got really big, and that’s also the year she left school to be homeschooled.”
Swift’s Early Success Met with Peer Criticism
McLane claimed that Swift’s rise to fame was met with negativity from some of her classmates. “When she first started becoming super successful, a lot of people at school really hated her,” she explained. “These were her peers, not random strangers online. She was 16 or 17, leaving high school to pursue a career that people didn’t believe she could have.”
The TikToker also highlighted how Swift’s songwriting stirred up controversy among her classmates, particularly the boys. “The guys she was writing songs about were still in school, and now they were being called out in hit songs for being bad boyfriends,” McLane said.
Addressing Rumors and Swift’s Ultimate Response
McLane mentioned that there were “a lot of rumors” about how Swift launched her career but admitted she didn’t know much about the details. However, she noted: “There weren’t a lot of people in high school who had nice things to say about her.”
Despite the challenges, Swift ultimately had the last word. McLane revealed that Swift invited her former classmates to the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards in 2009, years after she left high school. “She invited us to the CMAs to say, ‘F*** you.’ And we deserved it,” McLane said, acknowledging Swift’s sharp sense of humor. “Taylor, touché, that was a good one.”
Fans React to the Revelations
The TikTok video quickly garnered attention from Swift’s devoted fanbase, with many commenting on how Swift turned the negativity into fuel for her success. “Sagittarius energy. We forgive but WE NEVER FORGET,” one fan wrote. Another added, “Taylor has the last laugh!”
While McLane’s account provides a glimpse into Swift’s teenage years, it also highlights how the singer overcame criticism and stayed focused on her dreams, ultimately becoming one of the most successful artists of her generation.
Representatives for Taylor Swift have not commented on McLane’s claims.