It’s rare for celebrities to respond to fans on Instagram and Twitter, but over the past few months, country-pop singer Taylor Swift has done just that: She has been leaving heartfelt and personal comments on photos she has been tagged in by her loyal followers.
More recently, the 24-year-old wrote a tear-jerking and touching post to a bullied fan, in which Taylor reminisces about her personal experiences being bullied.
Taylor just left this comment on Instagram for a fan and I’m bawling in tears so hard right now. #same pic.twitter.com/xD9RzkMBSp
— Taylor Swift Updates (@SimplySFans) September 1, 2014
According to Today.com, Taylor did an extensive background check on her fan and discovered that she has covered Taylor’s songs on YouTube.
“Reading this made me so sad because I love seeing you in your videos and photos being so happy and wide eyed, like the world isn’t as harsh and unfair as it actually is,” Taylor says in the lengthy Instagram comment. “I hate thinking about your pretty face covered in tears, because I’ve been in your place. This isn’t a high school thing or an age thing. It’s a people thing. A life thing. It doesn’t stop. It doesn’t end or change. People cut other people down for entertainment, amusement, out of jealousy, because of something broken inside them, or for no reason at all.”
Taylor then gives her own motto as personal advice – to just “Shake It Off.”
“It’s just what they do, and you’re a target because you live your life loudly and boldly. You’re bright and joyful and so many people are cynical. They won’t understand me. But the only way they win is if your tears turn you to stone and make you bitter like them. It’s okay to ask why. It’s okay to wonder how you could try so hard and still get stomped all over. Just don’t let them change you or stop you from singing and dancing around to your favorite song.”
Lastly, the “You Belong With Me” singer finishes her post with a motivating and empathetic comment, and shows she’s a true friend to her fans.
“You’re going into high school this week and this is your chance to push the reset button on how much value you give the opinions of these kids, most of whom have NO idea who they are. I’m so proud of you and protective of you because you DO. If they don’t like you for being yourself, be yourself even more. Every time someone picks on you, I’ll think of you in hopes that every time someone picks on you, you’ll think of me… and how we have this thread that connects us. Let them keep living in the darkness and we’ll keep waking in the sunlight. Forever on your side, Taylor.”
Screenshots of her inspiring messages have gone viral, but that’s not the only way Taylor has reminded fans that she’s on their side. Last month, she visited a 6-year-old Leukemia patient in the hospital and sang a duet with him.