Taylor Swift has always been encouraged to pursue her “Wildest Dreams” by her parents.

Long before the “Folklore” singer became a Grammy-winning sensation and the highest-paid female musician in the world, her parents were watching her perform karaoke and taking her to small-town performances in the vicinity of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.

According to her father Scott Swift, “she was always singing music when she was 3, 5, 6, 7, years old,” UDaily, the university publication, was informed. “That’s Taylor doing what she enjoys,”

Since their daughter’s birth, Scott and Andrea Swift have been her staunchest supporters, encouraging her gift and passion while trying to shield her from the demands of celebrity.

Andrea told Entertainment Weekly in 2008 that “there would always be an escape hatch into normal life if she decided this wasn’t something she had to pursue.” Naturally, that would be equivalent to telling her, “It’s okay if you want to stop breathing.”

The former marketing manager for an advertising agency, Andrea, wed Scott, a stockbroker for Merrill Lynch who later became the vice president, on February 20, 1988, in Harris County, Texas. December 13, 1989, is Taylor’s birthday. Just over two years later, on March 11, 1992, Taylor’s brother Austin was born, making her a big sister.

After the singer of “Teardrops on My Guitar” signed her first major record deal with Sony at the age of 14, the two siblings moved to the Nashville suburbs from their upbringing on a 15-acre Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania.

Only a few years after taking that risk, in September 2006, rising country artist Taylor made her Grand Ole Opry debut. Andrea started travelling with her as her business took off, while Scott stayed at home with Austin.

Taylor’s chart-topping triumph propelled her to the 2010 Grammy Awards, where she took home four gold medals and made Grammy history as the youngest artist to win album of the year for Fearless (2008). She dedicated the trophy to her father and thanked both of her parents for their support in her acceptance speech. She said, “This is for all the times you said I could do whatever I wanted in life.” “You’re my best friend, too, mom.”

For additional details about Taylor Swift’s parents, Scott and Andrea Swift, keep reading.

 

They raised Taylor on a Christmas tree farm

The “Lover” singer grew up in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, on a Christmas tree farm, where she cultivated a deep affection for the festive season. Despite the family’s subsequent move to Nashville, Taylor has always talked warmly about her early years spent on the farm, and she even went back to visit in 2018.

Later, in the song “Christmas Tree Farm” from 2021, she paid homage to the house where she spent her formative years and recalled joyful holiday memories.

 

They named her with a business career in mind

Taylor’s name was chosen by her parents because they are both from the finance world.

According to her 2009 interview with Rolling Stone, “My mom thought it was cool that if you got a business card that said ‘Taylor,’ you wouldn’t know if it was a guy or a girl.” They believed that having an androgynous name could help eliminate potential discrimination in the corporate world. “She wanted me to work in the business world as a businessperson.”

 

Andrea and Taylor traveled all over together to pursue Taylor’s dreams

From an early age, Taylor was self-assured and driven, and in an attempt to fulfil her aspirations, she pursued a record deal. From the start, Andrea supported Taylor and even took her to Nashville so she could perform on karaoke records.

“My mom waited in the car with my little brother while I knocked on doors all over Music Row,” Taylor claimed in 2008. “Hello, I’m Taylor,” I would say. I am eleven years old. If you want to sign a record deal, give me a call.

Following her awful trip to Nashville, when she was ignored, Taylor made the decision to pick up a guitar and start writing songs in an attempt to stand out from the crowd. Her fingers were still “too small,” so her parents advised her not to start with a 12-string guitar. However, she immediately set out to prove them wrong.

Never tell Taylor you won’t ever be able to achieve something or that you can’t do it. Andrea told the news agency, “She started playing it for four hours every day and six hours on the weekends.”

 

They moved to the suburbs of Nashville to support Taylor’s career

She became the youngest person to sign with Sony/ATV Publishing in 2003, and the family moved to Hendersonville, which is just outside of Nashville. Taylor’s parents tried to ease her pressure by assuring her it would be “a change of scenery” when she moved to support her profession at the age of 14.

“I never wanted to make that move about her’making it,'” she said to EW. “Because it would have been such a horrible thing if it hadn’t happened for her to be under that much pressure or guilt.” Simultaneously, Scott relocated The Swift Group, a Merrill Lynch-affiliated financial advice firm where he had nearly thirty years of experience, to their new location.

According to Andrea, one reason they wanted to shield Taylor from the demands of fame was that they detoured from their original plan to go directly to Nashville. She said, “And we moved far enough outside Nashville so she didn’t have to be reminded constantly that she was struggling to make it and go to school with producers’ kids and label presidents’ kids.” “We have consistently informed her that this is not about fulfilling our dreams or putting food on the table.”

 

Scott often joined Taylor on tour — where he playfully did his best to embarrass her

Just like any other dad, Scott liked making fun of his teenage daughter, but Taylor didn’t mind at all.

In 2009, she wrote on MySpace, “My dad is coming with us on this trip.” “He likes being around people and being on tour.” He loves it so much; he thinks it’s hilarious to make me look bad as much as possible.”

“For example,” the 19-year-old said, “I’m walking into the hotel lobby after coming back from dinner.” It’s peaceful and lovely when all of a suԀԀen a voice screams, “HEY!” “That is Taylor Swift!” “Dad,” I said. “Please don’t do that again.”

He made fun of her, but she insisted, “It’s pretty priceless having my dad out here with me.”

 

Taylor shared with fans that Andrea has faced cаncer twice

Although Taylor often deals with her emotions and expresses them to her fans through songs, she informed them openly and honestly about Andrea’s cancer diagnosis in a 2015 Tumblr post.

“I’m writing to you with an update that I wish I wasn’t giving you, but it’s necessary, and I usually share significant life events with you,” Taylor stated. “I like to think about bad things that happen to me and then write music about my feelings.” Long after it has passed, you hear it. I felt that you should know this immediately, as did my family. Then she revealed that she had forced her mother to get a routine checkup, during which Andrea was discovered to have cancer.

“She wanted you to know, but I’d like to keep the specifics of her condition and treatment plans private,” Taylor stated. Her explanation for maybe missing fewer shows this tour was given to you. She must imagine a major battle.

In 2019, Taylor revealed that her mother’s cancer had returned in an insightful personal essay she penned for Elle. “I’ve discovered that there are important things and actual problems.” My mother’s cancer is a serious issue. She remarked, “I used to worry so much about the ups and downs of every day,” but that time her priorities had shifted. “I now direct all of my anxiety, stress, and prayers towards actual problems.”

Taylor revealed in the same post that her father Scott had also received a cancer diagnosis, although she gave no details about his medical history. She added, “Both of my parents have had cancer,” adding more details about her mother’s condition but omitting those concerning her father.

In 2020, Taylor revealed to Variety that while Andrea was receiving cancer treatment, she also received a brain tumour diagnosis.

“Everyone loves their mum; everyone’s got an important mum,” Taylor said to the news organisation. She continued by discussing how their family was being impacted by the news. “But in reality, it’s her who leads me.” Almost every decision I make is discussed with her first. It was plainly crucial that she never again discuss her sickness.

The symptoms of a brain tumour “are nothing like what we’ve ever been through with her cancer,” she added, adding that it was “a really hard time” for her family.

 

Andrea introduced Taylor at the 2015 Academy of Country Music Awards

Fans first learned that Andrea had cаncer a little over a week ago. That same night, Andrea joined Taylor onstage at the ACM Awards, where the singer was receiving the Milestone Award. She told everyone that she was a “proud mom” as she introduced her daughter.

“I’ve been a fan of this important artist since she was a little girl with tangled hair…” She has been imaginative and creative up until now, when she is getting ready for her next world tour. Andrea said through tears, “I’m a very proud mom.”

 

Andrea has inspired two of Taylor’s songs

The music sensation initially revealed to her fans how close she is to Andrea in 2008’s “The Best Day.” The song recalls some of their special moments spent together over the years. In 2021, Taylor released the song’s lyric video, which featured adorable home movies of the couple that no one had ever seen before.

Taylor talks on how difficult it was for her to deal with her mom’s cancer diagnosis in the Lover song “Soon You’ll Get Better.” “And I hate to make this all about me/But who am I supposed to talk to?” she said in her song. What manner ought I to behave? if you are not present. Taylor claimed on a YouTube Live that the family decided whether or not to include the song on the album. “It’s really difficult, but I’m really proud of it.” I can’t even sing that. She remarked, “That song makes it hard to just deal with your feelings.”

 

Scott worried about Taylor’s safety when decided to speak out about politics

Taylor was criticized for years for not talking about her political views. In 2018, she broke her silence and publicly backed two Democratic candidates in her home state of Tennessee, which made her dad nervous at first.

In the Netflix movie Taylor Swift: Miss Americana, she and her dad talk about the Instagram post. “I read the whole statement, and I’m scаred right now.” In the film, Scott told Taylor, “I’m the one who went out and bought armored cars.” According to Taylor, she told Variety that she understood why he was worried about her safety, but she felt she had to speak out.

“This was a situation where, from a humanity perspective, and from what my moral compass was telling me I needed to do, I knew was right, and I really didn’t care about repercussions,” she explains. “My father is scаred of threats against my safety and life. Every day we deal with a lot of stalkers, and he has to remember that this is his child.” This is where he comes from.

 

Scott is still a hands-on dad

Taylor Swift, Scott Swift, and the backstage pass she made herself. Photographs by Rick Diamond (ACMA2013) and Taylor Swift (Instagram).

In August 2019, a lot of Swift fans camped out all night to see the “You Need to Calm Down” singer on Good Morning America. Taylor made sure that none of them went hungry. The singer asked for 30 pizzas to be brought to the line of fans outside of Central Park in New York City. 

Her team, including her dad, then handed them out. “My parents are like, ‘That’s my kid!’” People are lined up on the street to watch her sing!” She told GMA that her dad was involved.Scott finally got to see his daughter on her first show on her Eras Tour in March 2023. She put a picture of the backstage pass she made for her dad on her Instagram Story before her opening night concert. It was hand-made and said “D.O.H. Pass” in gold letters. Below it, Taylor wrote “(Dad of Headliner)” in his own handwriting.Swift wrote under the picture, “Made my Dad’s tour credential.” “We are a small family business.”

 

Scott and Andrea attended several shows during Swift’s Eras Tour

In April 2023, Taylor surprised her parents with a heartfelt shout-out during an Eras Tour event in Houston.

You can hear her say, “I love you Houston,” in a TikTok video. “You treat us as though my mum was raised in Houston, which is true.” You speak to us as though this were the location of my parents’ marriage, which it is.

Then, in May 2023, Scott was spotted hanging out with Matty Healy, who was rumoured to be Swift’s boyfriend, during a performance stop in Philadelphia. 

 On Mother’s Day, a Grammy-awarded musician honoured Andrea by performing “The Best Day.” Swift revealed to the Philadelphia audience that she had surprised her mother with the song back in 2008.

“I wrote this song just putting together these sort of core childhood memories I had of her as both a mother and a friend,” the singer stated in a Twitter video.

She then recalled the day she eventually played the song for Andrea.

“What a lovely song that is. How and where did you find it?

Swift’s mother commented, “It sounds exactly like what we went through.” “Mom, I wrote and recorded it in secrеt,” the singer said to her mother. It’s our recollections. She might have been surprised that I wrote a song about the two of us, in my opinion. It was the sweetest thing ever.

In July 2023, Swift posted a TikTok video of her father using his Segway backstage following a performance in Santa Clara, California.

She captioned a video of herself and Scott driving through the stadium tunnels behind her golf cart, saying, “My dad’s on his Segway s*** again.”

In October 2023, they both attended the Los Angeles premiere of Swift’s concert film from her Eras Tour.