Nancy Strong, 89, has been a Taylor Swift fan for almost 15 years.
She traveled from Dallas to Paris to see the Eras show after buying a ticket for €190 ($205.)
The great-grandmother said the concert was one of the most exciting nights of her life.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nancy Strong. It has been edited for length and clarity.
It was the middle of the night because of the time difference. But we hit the internet the second they became available. “We’ve got to make this happen,” Jennifer said as we joined the virtual ticket line.
I stayed up for as long as possible before giving up and going to bed. Then, around 3 a.m., Jennifer burst into my room, threw on the lights, and yelled, “Grammy, Grammy — I got the tickets!”
Of course, I jumped out of bed screaming like crazy. It was stupid fun. We jumped up and down. We were going to Paris to see Taylor on May 9, 2024.
I’ve been a Swiftie since September 2009, when I watched the MTV Music Video Awards show at my home in Dallas.
Unfortunately, it was the infamous night that Kanye West jumped onstage, grabbed the microphone, and interrupted her acceptance speech.
At first, I was confused, thinking it was some kind of stunt. Then I realized it wasn’t. “How could he do that to that young, vulnerable, sweet girl? ” I thought.
I felt a connection to Taylor Swift
My last name is Strong, and I live up to it. I don’t like to see people bullied, and I admired how Taylor handled the situation.
The incident triggered my interest. I discovered she’d been born and raised in Reading, Pennsylvania. My husband, Asa, 93, and I lived in Reading during the 1960s — when our five sons were born — so I was very attached to the town.
It was a connection. The more I read about Taylor, the more I liked her. I was impressed that her parents were involved in her career, and she was all about family.
I’ve been blessed with 12 grandchildren, six of them girls. They told me how much they felt inspired by Taylor and related to her as a successful young woman.
Strong enjoyed every moment of the Taylor Swift concert in Paris.Courtesy of Jennifer Strong
We listened to her music together. We loved how she wrote about her own life in her music. She was relatable because she sang about loneliness, break-ups, and pure happiness. People understood her because her life experiences reflected theirs.
When Jennifer asked if I wanted to see Taylor with her in Paris, it was a no-brainer. I’ve run a travel agency for nearly 50 years and have flown worldwide. The only places I haven’t been are The Arctic, Antarctica, and a few countries in South America. I’ll be 90 in August but I can’t slow down.
I’m in love with Europe. After we purchased the Taylor tickets for €190 ($205) each, we booked a week-long vacation in Amsterdam and Paris. We paid for our business class flights with points, but splurged $2K per night on a five star hotel in each city. Five of us went to the concert, including Jennifer, 32, another granddaughter, Brianne Pattison, 36, and my daughter-in-law, Kay Strong, 66.
I was dancing so much, I thought I might tumble over
It was one of the most exciting nights of my life. Taylor has a great work ethic. She came on at 8 p.m. and left at 11 p.m., entertaining us the whole time. How she changed those costumes and showed up in those high boots is beyond me.
My favorite song is “The Man,” followed by “Shake It Off.” I went crazy when they came up. I was up on my feet so much, I was worried I was going to tumble over the seats. The atmosphere was amazing. I loved watching the audience scream their heads off.
As for my outfit, I wore a sparkly top over some pants that I bought from Anthropologie. The top covered up a multiple of sins for an 89-year-old lady. I felt great.
A few days after the show, someone posted an Instagram video of me dancing. You can’t see my face, but the clip went viral. I’m happy that the younger generation knows there are older people like me who love to have fun in their life.
Read the original article on Business Insider
News
Shocking News: WNBA Issues Lifetime Ban to Angel Reese – ‘Learn Some Manners First’
In an unprecedented move, the WNBA has announced a permanent ban on Angel Reese, a rising star in women’s basketball, citing behavior unbecoming of a professional athlete. The decision has sent shockwaves through the sports community, sparking intense debates about…
Lia Thomas Disqualified from 2024 Olympics; Riley Gaines Secures Qualification
In a decision that has both shocked and delighted the sports world, Lia Thomas, the transgender swimmer from the University of Pennsylvania, has been disqualified from the 2024 Olympics, while Riley Gaines, a prominent swimmer from the University of Kentucky,…
Jim Caviezel Takes a Bold Stand, Rejects Collaboration with ‘Awful and Ungodly’ Robert De Niro
In a surprising turn of events within the entertainment industry, actor Jim Caviezel has made headlines for refusing to collaborate with the acclaimed Robert De Niro, branding him as an “awful, ungodly man.” The announcement has sent shockwaves through Hollywood,…
Warner Bros Pulls the Plug on $10 Million Project Featuring ‘Creepy’ ‘Woke’ Robert De Niro
In a surprising turn of events, Warner Bros recently announced the cancellation of a $10 million project featuring legendary actor Robert De Niro. The decision comes amidst controversy surrounding De Niro’s perceived ‘woke’ stance and outspoken comments on various political…
“Disney Hemorrhages $1 Billion Overnight After Elon Musk Urges Boycott”
In the ever-evolving landscape of corporate clashes and digital drama, the latest chapter unfolds in the magical kingdom of Disney. A seismic shift occurred overnight as Disney, the global entertainment giant, faced an unparalleled crisis, losing a staggering 1 billion…
“Kevin Costner Declines Multi-Million Collaboration Proposal from Robert De Niro”
In an industry where the stakes are as high as the budgets, Hollywood has witnessed a multitude of surprising events. But nothing quite compares to the recent revelation that Kevin Costner, a revered figure in the cinematic world, has turned…
End of content
No more pages to load