Watch her battle media scrutiny, an eating disorder, and music industry titans—all while writing the soundtrack to a generation.
I feel like this is a cross of “Amy” (which I ranked 94/100!) meets “The Devil Wears Prada”.
This is my second favorite doc on Taylor. My first is “Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions”.
Trailer for “Taylor Swift: Miss Americana”
Watch “Taylor Swift: Miss Americana”
“Miss Americana” is a Netflix Original. You can watch it here: https://www.netflix.com/title/81028336
Ratings:
- My Rating: 94/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 91/100 (Users); 91/100 (Critics)
Release Date: January 23, 2020
My Review of “Taylor Swift: Miss Americana”
The Setup
“Taylor Swift: Miss Americana” is an 85-minute documentary that follows Swift during her 2018 “Reputation Stadium Tour” and creating her 2019 album “Lover”.
The doc blends behind-the-scenes footage, home videos, and interviews.
It gives fans as unfiltered a look at the pop star’s personal and professional evolution as any doc yet.
Director’s Note: It’s directed by Lana Wilson (also known for “After Tiller”, “The Departure”, “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields”).
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- Taylor has her entire career trajectory stored in her iPhone’s Notes app. We see her write song lyrics and melodies right there on her phone while bouncing ideas off collaborators like Jack Antonoff and Brendon Urie.
- Taylor once survived on nothing but lettuce and disordered eating habits because of media criticism about her body. She opens up about how a single unflattering headline would send her into days of starvation.
More Highlights from the Doc
- The documentary confirms that, for years, Taylor intentionally avoided political topics. She finally decides to break her silence in 2018 by endorsing Democratic candidates in Tennessee, despite warnings it could destroy her career.
- In one scene, she watches the 2018 Grammy nominations in real-time and sees “Reputation” miss out on Album of the Year. Her reaction? A quiet, disappointed nod—then immediately diving into new music.
- Taylor’s creative process is fascinating. We see her writing “ME!” with Brendon Urie and bouncing lyric ideas for “Lover” off Jack Antonoff. The spontaneity and speed with which she crafts melodies are remarkable.
- The film covers her sexual assault trial against DJ David Mueller, who groped her during a meet-and-greet. She sued him for just $1, not for money, but to make a statement.
- Taylor gets emotional about her mother’s cancer diagnosis, a deeply personal challenge she’s faced while balancing her career.
- The transition from country sweetheart to full-fledged pop star isn’t easy. She talks about being too nice, always wanting approval, and how she had to unlearn that mindset.
Cameos
- Jack Antonoff: Taylor’s longtime producer and collaborator, seen helping shape “Lover”‘s sound.
- Brendon Urie: Appears in the songwriting process for “ME!”
- Todrick Hall: A close friend and outspoken LGBTQ+ advocate, encourages Taylor’s activism.
- Andrea Swift: Taylor’s mother, whose cancer battle is a major emotional thread in the film.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- Taylor actually went through a dark period after Kanye West called her a “b*tch” in “Famous”. The documentary reveals she went into hiding for nearly a year, struggling with anxiety and self-worth.
- She describes the music industry as obsessed with reinvention. “As a female artist, you have to constantly reinvent yourself, whereas men can just keep making music.”
- Her team begged her not to speak out on politics, telling her the Dixie Chicks were “murdered” for opposing the Iraq War. She refused to stay silent.
- There’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment where she admits she feared her fans wouldn’t come back after “Reputation”. She was wrong, of course—her next albums (“Lover”, “Folklore”, “Evermore”, “Midnights”) were massive successes.
Wrap Up
“Miss Americana”is a look at the cost of fame, the pressure to stay perfect, and the personal struggles behind the success. If you ever doubted Taylor Swift’s authenticity or work ethic, this film will change your mind.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc