Emily Ratajkowski has set social media ablaze with her bold assertion that anyone who doesn’t like Taylor Swift is, at their core, a misogynist. The model, actress, and outspoken feminist made this claim during an episode of her podcast, HighLow with EmRata, sparking widespread debate. While some have praised her for standing up for the pop icon, others argue that musical taste has nothing to do with gender bias, making this one of the most polarizing statements she has made to date.
Ratajkowski’s remarks came during a conversation with singer Troye Sivan, as they discussed the way female artists—especially those in pop music—are frequently dismissed, ridiculed, or undermined. She admitted that she wasn’t always a fan of Swift herself, but after attending one of her concerts, she had a revelation.
“I was not a Swiftie, and now I’m like, ‘You know what that means? That means I was a misogynist that I didn’t f*** with Taylor Swift,’” she confessed. Ratajkowski argued that Swift’s skill as a songwriter and performer is so exceptional that dismissing her work outright suggests a deeper bias. “Because I went to her concert, and I was like, ‘This person is an incredible songwriter, an incredible performer, and anybody who says anything else? Like, they have issues. And actually maybe not a very sophisticated palette.’”
Her words immediately went viral, with Swift’s devoted fanbase, the Swifties, hailing her as a champion for their idol. Many echoed her sentiment, insisting that Swift has long been unfairly criticized simply because she is a powerful and successful woman in the music industry. “She’s so real for this,” one fan wrote, while another agreed, saying, “She chose to spit FACTS.”
However, not everyone was convinced. Critics were quick to push back, with many arguing that personal taste in music has nothing to do with sexism. “Just because I don’t enjoy Taylor Swift’s music doesn’t mean I hate women,” one person commented. Another pointed out that people are allowed to dislike an artist without any ulterior motive, writing, “Music is personal. We don’t have to like every popular singer just because they’re successful.”
Others called Ratajkowski’s argument an oversimplification, arguing that disliking an artist—regardless of gender—should not automatically be viewed as a reflection of deeper societal biases. “So by this logic, if I don’t like a male singer, does that make me sexist against men?” one person questioned.
This isn’t the first time Ratajkowski has spoken out in defense of Swift. In the past, she has been vocal about the way the singer has been treated by the media, particularly in her earlier years of fame. One instance that stood out to her was a 2012 interview Swift did on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where she was put on the spot to ring a bell every time a picture of someone she had allegedly dated appeared on the screen.
Swift was visibly uncomfortable during the segment, repeatedly asking for it to stop. “Stop it, stop it, stop! This makes me feel so bad about myself,” she pleaded. Ratajkowski later criticized the way the interview played out, saying it highlighted how the discomfort of female celebrities is often ignored or even mocked.
Speaking about this moment, she told Elle, “That interview upset me so much. I want to change the way we think about femme-presenting people in the world. That is my goal.” She emphasized how deeply ingrained biases shape perceptions of femininity, adding, “We have these associations around the feminine that are so problematic, and it’s affecting men as well. It’s affecting all of us. And it’s really important to me that that changes.”
While Ratajkowski remains firm in her stance, this latest comment has undeniably divided opinions. Some see her as a powerful voice advocating for the recognition of female talent, while others view her statement as an unnecessary generalization.
Regardless of where people stand on the debate, one thing is certain—her words have reignited discussions about the treatment of women in entertainment, the biases that persist in the music industry, and how society evaluates female success. Swift, as always, remains at the center of that conversation, and her ability to generate such passionate discourse proves exactly why she continues to be one of the most influential artists of her generation.