Getting over my aversion to the mainstream

Ok. I have a problem. I’ll admit it. Sometimes, I may be a bit snobbish about certain famous people that are in the spotlight. If someone’s movie takes off, or their album is charting, I automatically think “Oh, they’re not for me.” Or I like someone until they become super successful, and then I lose interest. And to be completely honest, I have no idea why I do that. I’m not a cynical or arrogant person.

I think that I may get a little defensive of the people I’m already a fan of and be like “I’m sure they’re not as good as …” or “I’m sure they don’t live up to the hype.” But I think I’m growing. I have been proven wrong so many times. Most of these are very popular pop artists, so you’re probably going to be disappointed if you think there any “deep cut” musicians in here. That may be for another day.

1. Olivia Rodrigo

Anyway, one of these artists is Olivia Rodrigo. I watched the first season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and I liked her music and singing on there, but when “Driver’s License” came out, I didn’t really want to listen to it, like a little hater. Everybody was just so obsessed with it.

But, when I inevitably heard it every time I opened my phone, I started loving it like everyone else did. Then, I added the album and loved it. It was like every song was so catchy, but also had quality lyrics that stayed in my head. I really enjoyed it.

Her second album didn’t hook me, though, and I can’t tell if I’ve fallen into the “oh, she’s overrated” trap again, or if I’m just not that into it. I may keep you updated. If you see a “Guts Is the Best Album In The Universe” story pop up on my page, you’ll know I’ve been humbled again.

2. Taylor Swift

Another artist who humbled me is Taylor Swift. Now, anyone who knows me is aware that I’m a big Taylor Swift fan. And I promise I’m not a crazy Swiftie who thinks she’s the most amazing human that’s ever lived or anything, but I think that her music is just so dang good. And I may get attacked by the “eat the rich” people, but I think she may actually be a decent person. I’m not completely sold yet, just because I don’t know her, but I think she gets way too much hate.

Anyway, I’ve liked her music all my life, but I think when she disappeared for that year before Reputation, I forgot about my casual “fan-ness.” Then, she came back with guns a’blazing with Reputation, which I didn’t know how to digest. I think that I was honestly worried that she was pulling a Miley Cyrus and changing everything about herself and her music. I still listened to the album, but I didn’t really love it (don’t worry, I love it now, and realize the meaning of her writing Reputation).

After that, I still only kind of listened to her music. But that started to change in 2020 when she released Folklore and Evermore, which I both love, and then when she started to release her re-recordings.

The big changing point, though, was when my friends and I decided to go to the Eras Tour. So, to go to the Eras Tour, one must prepare. And prepare, I did. I slowly fell into a deep chasm of “Oh my gosh, these songs are amazing”. And then, after the concert, it somehow got worse. The performances would play in my head to the songs, and I missed the concert. I actually MISSED being at a concert, like I went there all the time, and it wasn’t a single night of my life.

I’m still pretty deep into her music, even a year after the concert. All of this to say, I would like to publicly apologize to Taylor Swift for being judgy and lame. I would appreciate your forgiveness.

3. Justin Bieber

So, the third artist who humbled me is Justin Bieber. I never really understood the obsession with Justin Bieber when I was a kid. I honestly still kind of don’t get it. But he was the first artist that I ever chose to not like because of how much everybody else liked him. And I KNOW. That is so obnoxiously snobby. All my cousins would play his music and I would plug my ears and “la la la” over it. But I had a secret. I actually kind of liked his music. I mean, I didn’t listen to it when it wasn’t forced on me, but when I heard it, I enjoyed it. Secretly. Very ashamedly.

But I think that changed when me and my mom got into his Christmas album. It’s still one of my favorite Christmas albums ever. It’s SO GOOD. And, from then on, I think I kind of got over my public aversion to him.

I still don’t listen to his music all the time, but I can say that I really like some of his songs. I also don’t dislike him just for the principle of it. I’m so proud of me.

4. Hamilton

The last one is Hamilton, which isn’t a musical artist, but a Broadway musical. It’s also probably the one I refused the most. I was in high school when Hamilton came out, and my friends suddenly got obsessed with it. I remember that for some reason I REFUSED to listen to or like it.

It was probably the longest grudge I’ve ever kept. I just got so upset when they talked about it, and I DON’T KNOW WHY.

I just remember that I eventually felt so left out (by my own doing) that I broke down and listened to it. And loved it. And joined them in being obsessed with it for a few years.

Featured photo via Billboard