Is Taylor Swift’s silent approach to negative headlines a stroke of genius or will it backfire?
A veteran PR expert has given his opinion on the Cruel Summer singer’s strategy exclusively to DailyMail.com and believes it is a “smart” and “effective” approach that other celebrities should learn from.
The 34-year-old singer has long been known for taking the high road when it comes to rumors and bad press.
She She rarely talks publicly about her breakups or fights, instead leaving cryptic clues about them in her songs.Allowing his fans to spread theories about the meaning of the lyrics.
But Jon HarrisThe 56-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, who has spent more than three decades working in public relations, said Taylor’s silence allows her to “stay in control of the conversation and not allow the press to dictate her image.”
PR experts have weighed in on whether Taylor Swift’s quiet approach to negative headlines is genius or whether it will backfire.
“I think Taylor Swift and her team are very smart in the way they handle rumors,” she said.
‘She should be commended for not feeling that she has to respond immediately to everything that comes her way.
‘By staying silent on certain issues, he doesn’t give the press much to work with other than to continue speculating.
‘She knows that if she responds to every rumor, she will only fuel the fire and increase speculation.
‘Overall, he’s able to maintain control of the conversation and doesn’t let the press or anyone else dictate his image. Pretty clever, right?’
Jon added that the fact that Taylor includes subtle references to the public drama throughout her songs “works in her favor” because it forces people to focus on “her art” while also giving her the opportunity to “share her side of the story in a creative and lasting way.”
“Rather than stepping in and addressing everything that is said or written about her and risking making things worse, she is taking a ‘wait and see’ approach, letting things play out so people can focus on what’s important: her art,” the communications expert continued.
‘Instead of making big public statements, he drops little hints in his songs or likes posts on social media.
Jon Harris (seen), 56, of Chicago, Illinois, said Taylor’s silence allows him to “maintain control of the conversation and not allow the press to dictate his image.”
Jon said the fact that Taylor adds references in her songs “works in her favor” because it forces people to focus on “her art” while also giving her the opportunity to “share her side of the story.”
‘It’s a very discreet but effective way to respond without creating more drama.
“And that keeps people guessing, which, as we’ve all witnessed firsthand, continues to work in their favor.
“It gives you a unique way to share your side of the story in a creative and lasting way. It’s much more meaningful than an X comment or an interview.”
Taylor faced immense scrutiny last week after she was seen hugging friend Brittany Mahomes at the US Open, days after Patrick Mahomes’ wife showed her support for former President Donald Trump by liking a series of posts about him online.
At the time, Taylor had remained tight-lipped about who she planned to vote for in the upcoming presidential election, and many social media users were outraged that she hadn’t spoken out on the topic and continued to publicly date Brittany.
Days later, however, Taylor publicly endorsed nominee Kamala Harris following the vice presidential debate against Trump on Tuesday night, a dramatic move that departs from her typically muted approach.
Taylor also remained noticeably quiet after her best friend Blake Lively was embroiled in controversy amid the recent It Ends With Us drama.
Jon noted that often when stars respond publicly to negative reactions, their words can be “misinterpreted,” a problem Taylor has eliminated with her approach.
“Silence prevents things from becoming a much bigger mess, unlike direct responses which can add more to the story and fuel further gossip and speculation,” he added.
Taylor faced scrutiny last week after she was seen hugging her friend Brittany Mahomes at the US Open, days after Brittany showed her support for former President Donald Trump.
Many people were outraged that Taylor had not spoken out about the upcoming presidential election and continued to publicly date Brittany.
Days later, however, Taylor publicly endorsed nominee Kamala Harris following the vice presidential debate against Trump on Tuesday night, a dramatic move that departs from her typically muted approach.
But according to Jon, the hitmaker’s PR strategy also has its downsides, as he explained that “sometimes silence can give the appearance of blame or evading responsibility.”
“This can potentially damage reputation,” he warned. “One must be alert to the situation in case the comment would benefit the artist more.”
He also said that not addressing the drama could give “permission to others to speak for you.”
“There is also a strong possibility that this could lead to misunderstandings and misinformation,” Jon added.
Despite the risks, he said Taylor and her longtime publicist, Tree Paine, “have done an extraordinary job of handling her media and public relations.”
“Taylor’s strategic management of her public image, particularly during high-profile breakups, events and controversies, has been top-notch,” she concluded.
Lindsay Lohan’s former publicist Steve HonigThe 57-year-old from New York also weighed in exclusively to DailyMail.com on the issue, saying that while the quiet approach to bad press works for Taylor, it may not be a successful strategy for other stars.
He theorized that it is only effective for the musician because of his immense “level of fame.”
“(Its success depends) on the level of fame of the celebrity and how well the public likes them,” he said.
Taylor also remained noticeably quiet after her best friend Blake Lively was embroiled in controversy amid the recent It Ends With Us drama.
Lindsay Lohan’s former publicist Steve Honig, 57, said that while the quiet approach to bad press works for Taylor, it may not be a successful strategy for other stars.
‘Generally speaking, the bigger the celebrity and the more beloved, the more the silent approach will work.
‘It’s as if the bigger and better built a ship is, the more it can withstand waves.
‘The Taylor Swift ‘ship,’ for example, can take a lot, so for her, keeping quiet about rumors and negative headlines is probably the right way to go.’
She added that keeping quiet about a celebrity breakup or feud may be fine, but certain controversies should always prompt a response, such as if a star uses a “racial slur,” for example.
“There are times when clarification, apologies or action are necessary no matter how big or beloved the celebrity is,” he said.
‘It’s also important to recognize that often responding to negative press becomes a story in itself, thus generating more negative attention.
‘A celebrity shouldn’t respond just for the sake of responding: there must be some benefit in doing so.’