The Netflix documentary follows Taylor as she goes from someone living to fulfil other people’s expectations to someone that lives for themselves. She addresses topics that have long been the subject of debates and wild theories in the media, such as Kanye West interrupting her acceptance speech at the VMAs in 2009, her dating life and even an eating disorder. Incredibly honest, Taylor recalls how these struggles impacted her and how they led to her taking a year off from the public eye. She explains how she had to deconstruct an entire belief system she developed while growing up, including always striving to be the good girl, until she realised that it was impossible to maintain this image without consequences in her personal life.
One of the most powerful moments in the documentary is Taylor deciding to break her silence on politics during midterm elections in 2018. Swift explains that she feels it necessary for her to use her voice for good, especially after her legal battle with a radio DJ who sexually assaulted her showcasing how women’s voices can be disregarded. Having gone through this harrowing experience, she decided that the next time she can change something for the better, she will.
However, afraid of the backlash, her dad and her team argue against her speaking out. Still, she is determined to endorse the democratic candidate, who fights for the values and rights she believes in. This highlights how important political positioning is nowadays and just how emotionally charged for someone whose image determines everything. Seeing the passion and certainty with which Taylor stood up against her team by skillfully arguing the reasoning behind her beliefs was especially moving after her long silence on this polarising topic.
Another interesting aspect in the documentary is Taylor acknowledging several issues in the music and entertainment industry, such as the sexism female artists experience. She talks about how the length of her career is limited due to her age, and how there is a constant need for her and fellow female singers to reinvent themselves in order to stay relevant. She paints a grim picture of the life of a superstar, one with a schedule years in advance, unable to unshackle herself from the grips of worldwide expectations.
Despite Taylor’s honest accounts and showing glimpses into several parts of her private life, the documentary does keep a certain distance and is by no means a tell-all. However, the reasoning behind this is obvious throughout the documentary as it talks about the negative impact media has had on her.
She is not shown as perfect, but instead, simply human: someone that struggles with their confidence, body, and beliefs like the rest of us. Taylor is finally at a point in her life where her beliefs align with her public persona, where she is free to support the causes she stands for. Miss American’ paints an interesting and entertaining picture of the complexity of her experiences as one of the most famous and talented singer-songwriters of all time.
