Connect with us

Arts & Entertainment

Watch: Taylor Swift’s new music video celebrates LGBTQ pride

Local drag queens Tatianna and Riley Knoxx land cameos

Published

on

Katy Perry and Taylor Swift in ‘You Need to Calm Down’ music video. (Screenshot via YouTube)

Taylor Swift released the music video for her new single “You Need to Calm Down” which features plenty of LGBTQ pride and a slew of celebrities.

Ellen DeGeneres, Adam Rippon, Todrick Hall, Billy Porter, Hannah Hart, Dexter Mayfield , Chester Lockhart, Laverne Cox, Adam Lambert, Ciara, Ryan Reynolds, Hayley Kiyoko, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and his husband Justin Mikita and the cast of Netflix’s “Queer Eye” — Antoni Porowski, Bobby Berk, Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown and Tan France, all make cameo appearances in the video.

In one scene, RuPaul walks by a line of drag queens holding up a crown.

“And we see you over there on the internet. Comparing all the girls who are killing it
But we figured you out. We all know now we all got crowns. You need to calm down,” Swift sings.

The queens are all impersonating popular female singers and rappers. They include local queens Tatianna as Ariana Grande and Riley Knoxx as Beyoncé. Trinity The Tuck appears as Lady Gaga, Delta Work as Adele, Trinity K Bonet as Cardi B, Jade Jolie as Taylor Swift, Adore Delano as Katy Perry and A’keria C Davenport as Nicki Minaj.

All of the drag queens start fighting and Swift, dressed as french fries, finds Katy Perry, dressed as a hamburger, in the crowd. The two pop stars embrace with a hug symbolically calling an end to their famous feud.

At the end of the video, Swift urges fans to sign a petition for Senate support of the Equality Act.

Swift has been showing her support for the LGBTQ community all month. At the start of June, Swift wrote an open later to Sen. Lamar Alexander from her home state of Tennessee to support the Equality Act. She also gave a surprise performance at Stonewall Inn along with Ferguson.

Since the release of “You Need to Calm Down, which name drops LGBT media watchdog organization GLAAD, donations to GLAAD have increased. Fans have been showing their support by donating $13 to the organization, a nod to Swift’s favorite number.

Watch below.

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Photos

PHOTOS: Black Pride Opening Reception

Durand Bernarr headlines program

Published

on

Durand Bernarr performs at the 2026 DC Black Pride Opening Reception on Friday, May 22. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The DC Black Pride Opening Reception was held at the Westin DC Downtown on Friday, May 22. Grammy Award-winning artist Durand Bernarr was the headline performer. Comedian Anthony Oakes was the host. Speakers included Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson and Center For Black Equity President Kenya Hutton, as well as speakers from health organizations and sponsors. The event featured performances from Billy the Goat, Jay Columbus, Akeem Woods, Rue Pratt, Be Steadwell and Bennu Byrd.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Continue Reading

Photos

PHOTOS: Black Pride Pageant and Unity Ball

Back-to-back events held on first night of D.C. Black Pride

Published

on

The 10th annual DC Black Pride Unity Ball was held at the Westin DC Downtown on Thursday, May 21. (Washington Blade photo by Landon Schackelford)

The Mr. and Miss DC Black Pride Pageant was held at the Westin DC Downtown on Thursday, May 21. Following the pageant, Black Pride events continued with the 10th annual DC Black Pride Unity Ball.

(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)

Continue Reading

Photos

PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards

D.C.-area productions honored at Theatre Washington’s annual ceremony

Published

on

The 42nd Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 18. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Theatre Washington’s 42nd Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 18.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Continue Reading

Popular