– A TikToker impersonated Taylor Swift as a prank and received backlash from some fans.
– The impersonator had a positive experience in-person with Swifties, but criticized the possessiveness and involvement in Taylor’s private life.
– The backlash was described as out of proportion and the impersonator urged not to bully her friends.
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A TikToker named Ashley Leechin, who bears a striking resemblance to Taylor Swift, recently faced backlash for impersonating the pop star in a prank. Collaborating with YouTuber Vic In the Game, Ashley embarked on a “social experiment” to experience a day in the life of a high-profile celebrity. Wearing large sunglasses and Taylor’s signature red lipstick, she was accompanied by bodyguards as she toured various tourist attractions in Los Angeles, attracting mobs of fans. While Ashley had a positive experience in person when fans discovered she was an impersonator, she received online criticism that made her question the fandom.
People criticized Ashley for treating Taylor as a character instead of recognizing her as a real person. The timing of the prank, which coincided with fans swarming Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley’s wedding venue to catch a glimpse of Taylor, was deemed “horrific.” Ashley admitted that she was not aware of all the recent Taylor Swift news when planning the prank, but she believed the possessiveness and involvement of the fandom in Taylor’s private life could be dangerous. She stated that her intention was not to be malicious and the backlash had been blown out of proportion.
Addressing the backlash in a TikTok video, Ashley defended her friends who were involved in the prank and asked that they not be bullied. She also emphasized the difference between being a Taylor Swift fan and being a Swiftie, stating that they are two distinct groups. Despite resembling Taylor, Ashley expressed her struggle in fitting into the narrative of a Swiftie due to the expectations placed upon her appearance and mannerisms. Vic In the Game, the YouTuber she collaborated with, has not publicly responded to the criticism.
It is worth noting that Vic In the Game has a history of creating prank videos with celebrity impersonators, including Bad Bunny, Maluma, and The Weeknd, in order to gauge fans’ reactions in public settings. Overall, Ashley’s impersonation prank has sparked a debate about the boundaries between fandom and personal privacy, as well as the impact of social media on celebrities and their look-alikes.
