Wow! Well there's your problem right there. Most people find her to be ALL of those things (other than strident -although she does now swear rather regularly in her songs). Her lyrics are often quite poetic and smart, particularly the more recent stuff where she's been collaborating with Indie rockers from The National and Bon Iver (what I like about her). She's clearly a very savvy businesswoman (hello, Eras Tour movie that cuts out the studios completely) who has taken a ton of risks and chances - and come out on top because of them, continually reinventing her sound (country-pop-indie) while at the same time keeping it accessible to long-time fans.
She's been attacked mercilessly and treated abominably in the media for things that her male peers routinely do, and still manages to have a lot of class and magnanimity. That jerk who grabbed her ass during the photo op found out who he was messing with. He assumed her "nice girl" appearance meant she wouldn't make a stink. Instead, he lost his job and we all got a taste of her steely resolve.
"McFarland asked Swift if she had any feelings about Mueller losing his job because of the incident. Swift's reply: "I’m not going to let you or your client make me feel in any way that this is my fault. Here we are years later, and I’m being blamed for the unfortunate events of his life that are the product of his decisions—not mine.
McFarland suggested Swift’s bodyguard, Greg Dent, could have intervened if a sexual assault did occur. Vogue reports the lawyer then asked Swift if she was critical of Dent for not preventing the alleged incident. Swift's reply: “I’m critical of your client sticking his hand under my skirt and grabbing my ass.” Boom!
What other musicians have given their touring crew and truck drivers $50,000 each? Where you see a fembot, her fans see someone who is a lot like them (only way more beautiful and successful) and that's what they respond to. Concerts (where fans exchange friendship bracelets) is less an adoration of a distant and completely inaccessible star, and more a group party with 60,000 of your closest friends, thrown by Taylor. She's clearly having a lot of fun doing what she loves, and invites you to participate. I mean, that's fine if it's not your jam, but I have a hard time understanding why you don't get it.
Marcus Mumford said in a concert a while back that "There comes a time in everyone's life where they just have to sing a Taylor Swift song." Then he proceeded to do just that. Maybe he's not your cup of tea either, but a lot of accomplished musicians see her as incredibly versitile and talented. Billy Joel, Carole King, Dolly Parton, and Paul McCartney have all praised her songwriting.
You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but honestly, it seems to be based on kind of an idea of what you think a music star "ought" to be as seen from media snippets rather than actual substantive interface. I'm a fairly recent fan, but I have huge respect for her as an artist, and as person. I totally understand why she's just had the biggest grossing tour in the world. Just because somebody makes it look easy doesn't remotely mean that it is, or that it doesn't take incredible skill and talent to pull that effortlessness off.
