Historically, sports culture has rejected female participation, not just in terms of playing but in other roles which are crucial in the sports world. Female reporters, officials and supporters face scrutiny, harassment and even marginalisation in ways that their male counterparts do not. Pop star Taylor Swift has found herself at the centre of this sports-based hostility, becoming an easy target for those who think an influential woman’s presence at these important events should be limited.
This sentiment reached its pinnacle on Sunday night at the Super Bowl, one of sporting’s largest events. During Jon Batiste’s soulful rendition of the American National Anthem, the jumbotron panned over to Donald Trump and his family. The stadium erupted into cheers, with most of the crowd clapping and showing their love for the president.
This warm reception was in stark contrast with mass booing and jeering sweeping the stadium when, later, Taylor Swift was shown on screen. Swift was seen looking confused and taken aback, mouthing the words “what’s going on” to her fellow musicians sitting next to her.
Swift’s presence in the NFL has been highly publicised ever since she started dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. This has become controversial for many, even for Chiefs fans who do not want her attending games.
NBC has credited Swift for an increase of over 2 million female viewers, as well as generating $331.5 million in brand value for the NFL during the 23/24 season.
Swift has also, in the latter half of her career, spoken out in favour of abortion and LGBTQ+ rights and against gendered violence. Notably, in 2020, she took to social media to condemn Trump’s inappropriate tweets regarding the Black Lives Matter campaign. Yet, this is not enough for some, as her presence is still met with hostility.
Meanwhile, Trump represents a demographic which is generally against the LGBTQ+ community and female autonomy. Additionally, he made history by becoming the first president to be sworn in who has been convicted of felony charges – 34 of them. Trump’s bad behaviour is not condemned but is instead celebrated. This couldn’t have been made clearer than during the faithful moment that his face appeared on that jumbo screen.
This raises further questions. Why would a male political figure be more warmly embraced at the Super Bowl than a female pop star? The answer likely lies in the inherent gender bias which is so deeply ingrained into society. A powerful businessman is normal, whereas a woman with such influence, particularly in a male-orientated environment, is seen as a threat.
Moreover, it prompts further questions: would a female politician receive the same warm response? Or if a male celebrity were to support his girlfriend on the field, would he be subject to the same level of scrutiny as Swift? These disparities are jarring and underline how deeply ingrained misogyny is in public spaces and how much work remains to properly challenge this.
The issue of Swift getting booed and Trump getting cheered may seem trivial to some, but this incident is more than just a fleeting moment on social media. It is a scary example of how women are still fighting for basic levels of respect in areas which are traditionally dominated by men. If one of the most successful women in music can be rejected for simply existing at a sports event, what does this say about wider societal attitudes toward women in an everyday setting?
Hi, my name is Grace and I’m a second year Journalism and Social Policy Student. I love all things pop culture and basketball!
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