Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Taylor Swift Plays The Role Of An Entitled Dude For “The Man” Video, And It’s Full Of Easter Eggs
57

Taylor Swift Plays The Role Of An Entitled Dude For “The Man” Video, And It’s Full Of Easter Eggs

ADVERTISEMENT

Taylor Swift sure has a way of grabbing the entire world’s attention. Just when you think her career might fade a bit, she turns the spotlight back on herself. This time, her fans are going wild over her newest music video The Man which is chock full of Easter eggs and tiny surprises.

In the clip, Swift dresses up as and plays the titular Man who does whatever he wants. The singer does such a great job of portraying the privileged character that it’s unbelievably hard to recognize her if you don’t know that she’s in the video. Her special effects makeup team and CGI did their job well!

In fact, here’s a small challenge for you: if you have any friends who haven’t heard about Swift’s new song, show them the video and see if they can recognize the famous singer. Let us know the results and share your thoughts about The Man in the comments below.

More info: TaylorSwift.com | YouTube | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | MySpace (Yes, Taylor Swift has a MySpace account)

Taylor Swift plays the titular character in her new music video The Man

The star examines the different ways that the world looks at men and women

According to Swift, men can do whatever they want

ADVERTISEMENT

Swift wowed her supporters with her creative way of taking on the patriarchy and ‘subtly’ alluding to some famous men like Leonardo DiCaprio and his role in The Wolf of Wall Street.

Here’s the full music video (the song’s been stuck in our heads since the morning)

The 30-year-old singer uses the song to highlight the different ways that the world sees gender roles. Swift believes that men can do whatever they want while women are judged if they go outside the prescribed social norms. The star directed the music video all by herself, so the creative decisions are her own.

Here’s how Swift was made up to look like the Man

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The video’s full of Easter eggs, including the fact that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson voices the protagonist at one point

Among the Easter eggs hidden throughout the video is a surprise cameo by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson who voices the protagonist at one point. Another hidden surprise is Swift’s dad as a tennis umpire.

“My dad making his acting debut as ‘unimpressed umpire’ is a memory I’ll always cherish. Thank you to the entire cast and crew for helping me become the man I always knew I could be,” Swift wrote on Instagram.

The Man on the subway can be seen reading a newspaper with the headline “WHAT MAN WON THE YEAR IN CELEBRITY DATING.” This is a call out for double standards Taylor has dealt with when she was branded a “serial dater”

ADVERTISEMENT

The wall is graffitied with the names of some of Taylor’s old albums—Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation

This is a reference to Taylor’s  battle with Scooter Braun and her old record label, Big Machine, for the rights to the master recordings of her first six albums

This is a reference to Miss Americana—a Taylor Swift Netflix documentary

Fans say that this scene of the Man running through a hallway looks very similar to the inside of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s house

The scene with the Man losing it on the tennis court could be a reference to Serena Williams’ loss at the 2018 US Open final. She was fined $17k for shouting at the umpire during the match, and it caused a lot of debate about double standards and sexism in tennis

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: NotAgainBen

Image credits: TSwiftNZ

Bored Panda spoke with Elizabeth Arif-Fear, writer and founder of Voice of Salam, about the plight of women in the 21st century, and what Swift’s song represents.

According to Arif-Fear, the job market is becoming more and more competitive: “It’s not easy for men or women but the gender pay gap continues to grossly exploit women. For every dollar men earn, women earn 70 to 90 cents” she said.

“The stereotypes that Swift discussed in her latest release for example around sexual conduct remain true—there is a clear double standard. The concern by some men of the #MeToo movement shows that attitudes need to change.”

She continued: “There are still double standards concerning men’s behavior vs. women’s’ behavior. Just think of the phrase ‘boys, will be boys.’ However, we must be careful to not demonize all men. There are major obstacles for women in the workplace – but to what extent/how this manifests itself will vary by profession, sector, location and the working culture of the specific company/organization/employer and individual employers and colleagues.”

ADVERTISEMENT

We also wanted to know if Arif-Fear believes that Swift’s song will have a wider impact on society. “Swift’s song raises some good points. However, for things to change, we need to keep further amplifying voices and the issues raised in the song. Women need to speak out, leaders need to stand up and so too crucially do male allies.”

“We need to share stories, get people talking, hold panels, lead campaigns and get people thinking about these issues. It’s not easy but every bit counts. We can all make a difference: challenge sexist attitudes, report inappropriate behavior and encourage the women in your life to follow their dreams (not a ‘female’ job) and keep pushing to smash that glass ceiling!”

Fans loved Swift’s new music video

Share on Facebook
You May Like
Popular on Bored Panda
Write comments
Add photo comments
POST
leaspringstead_1 avatar
Lea Springstead
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The next wave of feminism will examine the finer details of existing as a woman on this planet. Sexism runs much deeper than most realize. Taylor could have made another video about being in a relationship and crooning over some guy, but she decided instead to make a much needed statement. Go Taylor!

callabrietta avatar
Lip
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is an intelligent comment. It seems from my perspective that the type of sexism today is less overt and that is how it remains so powerful and insidious.

Load More Replies...
ttiagoribeiro avatar
Tiago Ribeiro
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Way to p**s the frágil ego man community that easly will take offence of it. In the trump era while manly anger it is at its height. But sure it will be fun to watch as I man I don't take offence on it!!! I am not like that not even on my worst days!!!!

lisaj avatar
Lisa
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hah the video was pretty good, the makeup was phenomenal. Though she looked like Scott Disick enough that he is probably feeling personally attacked.

arievk avatar
McQueen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The question is: is it wise as society to judge an individual by the group he/she is from? And project all negative stereotypes of that group on this person? I hope we agreed that every person is unique, worth to get knowing, and that prejudice of any kind serves nobody well.

el_dee avatar
El Dee
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it a commentary on the state of the world or is it a cheap shot designed to sell her latest tune? She's certainly getting plenty of publicity, we even see how she's done her make up for the shoot. We DO get to see how a rich and entitled man behaves but is that really how the average man behaves these days? Would we support a male doing the reverse and showing uncomfortable truths about female behaviour? The power dynamic means there would never be cause to do this but we are getting to the point where this could come..

lisaj avatar
Lisa
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hold up screw, this is a personal commentary about her frustration. Obviously she isn't speaking for everyone, but some of those moments are relatable regardless your level. Women's relationships and dating life is more scrutinized than men, but the workplace dynamic does feel like it has progressed, albeit slowly. If you live in the United States, the top positions are still mostly* held by white men. That's just the truth. And men have been showing uncomfortable truths about women forever, periods were called The Curse. Which is hilarious and apalling, watch Last Week's Bias in Medicine which gives a modern history (and current) way women are treated differently. It's messed up.

Load More Replies...
kennykulbiski avatar
Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

A rich, privileged, attractive female doesn't get to be a rich privileged, attractive male. Heartbreaking. I wonder if she'd like to switch with us poor, common, not so attractive males?

shireen_2 avatar
NeverGoWoke
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Incoming "woke" comments and downvotes! 🤣

shireen_2 avatar
NeverGoWoke
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I don't think I need to watch the video or read this post to know that it's Taylor Swift dressed as a man, in a "woke" video about how men treat women... Stop with the man bashing...

leaspringstead_1 avatar
Lea Springstead
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The next wave of feminism will examine the finer details of existing as a woman on this planet. Sexism runs much deeper than most realize. Taylor could have made another video about being in a relationship and crooning over some guy, but she decided instead to make a much needed statement. Go Taylor!

callabrietta avatar
Lip
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is an intelligent comment. It seems from my perspective that the type of sexism today is less overt and that is how it remains so powerful and insidious.

Load More Replies...
ttiagoribeiro avatar
Tiago Ribeiro
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Way to p**s the frágil ego man community that easly will take offence of it. In the trump era while manly anger it is at its height. But sure it will be fun to watch as I man I don't take offence on it!!! I am not like that not even on my worst days!!!!

lisaj avatar
Lisa
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hah the video was pretty good, the makeup was phenomenal. Though she looked like Scott Disick enough that he is probably feeling personally attacked.

arievk avatar
McQueen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The question is: is it wise as society to judge an individual by the group he/she is from? And project all negative stereotypes of that group on this person? I hope we agreed that every person is unique, worth to get knowing, and that prejudice of any kind serves nobody well.

el_dee avatar
El Dee
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it a commentary on the state of the world or is it a cheap shot designed to sell her latest tune? She's certainly getting plenty of publicity, we even see how she's done her make up for the shoot. We DO get to see how a rich and entitled man behaves but is that really how the average man behaves these days? Would we support a male doing the reverse and showing uncomfortable truths about female behaviour? The power dynamic means there would never be cause to do this but we are getting to the point where this could come..

lisaj avatar
Lisa
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hold up screw, this is a personal commentary about her frustration. Obviously she isn't speaking for everyone, but some of those moments are relatable regardless your level. Women's relationships and dating life is more scrutinized than men, but the workplace dynamic does feel like it has progressed, albeit slowly. If you live in the United States, the top positions are still mostly* held by white men. That's just the truth. And men have been showing uncomfortable truths about women forever, periods were called The Curse. Which is hilarious and apalling, watch Last Week's Bias in Medicine which gives a modern history (and current) way women are treated differently. It's messed up.

Load More Replies...
kennykulbiski avatar
Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

A rich, privileged, attractive female doesn't get to be a rich privileged, attractive male. Heartbreaking. I wonder if she'd like to switch with us poor, common, not so attractive males?

shireen_2 avatar
NeverGoWoke
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Incoming "woke" comments and downvotes! 🤣

shireen_2 avatar
NeverGoWoke
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I don't think I need to watch the video or read this post to know that it's Taylor Swift dressed as a man, in a "woke" video about how men treat women... Stop with the man bashing...

Popular on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda