The Emmy-nominated stand-up comedian explains why she never wants to monetize her love for the pop star and why she keeps going back to the Eras Tour.
It’s no secret that Nikki Glaser is a certified Swiftie. The 40-year-old comedian has been extremely vocal about her admiration for Taylor Swift.
Glaser has been to several stops of Swift’s Eras Tour. Last month, she posted videos to her TikTok with her parents at two of the shows, including an adorable video of her dad crying at the show.
“He’s finally a Swiftie,” Glaser tells The Hollywood Reporter about the video of her father after being asked if Swift reached out to her after she posted the video. The comedian hasn’t heard from the pop star, “Honestly, I don’t even expect it,” she says. “I don’t think about it. I am so purely a Swiftie with no agenda to be in her life or get any status from being in a certain tent.”
She adds that she had hesitation about posting content related to the singer. “I never want to monetize my love for her or ever think that she thinks I’m trying to get a headline by talking about her.” Glaser points out that just talking about Swift tends to make headlines, adding: “It’s a tool that I’m sure she’s aware people are using to… even though they have nothing to do with her, they sound off about her, and suddenly they’re in an article.”
Taylor Swift performs onstage in Amsterdam.
Aldara Zarraoa/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management
Glaser says there was a part of her that felt embarrassed, pondering whether or not comedians would make fun of her. The comedian likens it to kids at the cool table calling her a dork. Adding the concern that people would say: “She’s doing this to get Taylor’s attention, or she’s doing this for some other reason than just genuinely loving something.”
She admits that she was also partially “embarrassed to love something so much” when most of her friends felt that way about their kids. “I really do want to talk about Taylor Swift as much as my friends want to talk about their kids,” Glaser says.
The FBoy Island host says she considered putting Swift content behind a paywall in order to weed out those looking to make fun of Glaser and other fans. She decided against it. “I didn’t want to make money off it,” she says, adding there was an idea to just donate any money to a cause Swift was passionate about. Glaser decided she wasn’t going to overthink things and started posting the content.
“I don’t read comments, and I just send a video to someone who posts for me because I just don’t want to see if I’m being made fun of,” she admits. “It’s my biggest fear, but I just love Taylor Swift, and I can’t hide it.”
Glaser believes Swifties will understand her hesitance in not wanting to look insincere. “They know that it’s just this unbridled love that doesn’t really make sense but makes total sense,” she says. “I’m maybe a Swiftie before I’m a comedian. That’s how strongly it resonates in my bones.”
She’s built a fan community online, telling a story of her upcoming plans to see a backyard performance by an 8-year-old who performs the Eras Tour at home. Glaser recalls posting or commenting on a clip of the boy and having his parents reach out to see if they could come see her show and then inviting Glaser to see their son’s show for his neighborhood. “I think he’s amazing, and I honestly want to get another Era show in,” she laughs.
The stand-up loves going to Swift’s Eras Tour. She was one of the many fans who traveled to Vienna for the now-canceled shows. (This conversation took place before news of the cancellation).
Swifties at Wembley Stadium before Taylor Swift’s first London show.
Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images
“When I go to Eras Tour, I get to put on makeup. I’m putting on the eyelashes, I’m putting on a fun little outfit. I’m dancing all night, and I’m watching someone perform,” she says. Glaser adds it makes her feel as though she’s “part of something big” and spreading joy. “I’ve always been a really emotional young girl that freaked people out with my feelings, and my opinions and my questions, and I just feel seen by Taylor Swift in that way,” she notes.
“I really don’t know what I’m going to do with my life when Eras Tour is over,” Glaser admits. “I really think I will end up flying to different cities to go to Taylor Swift sing-along nights because it’s something that… I won’t say I’m addicted to, but it’s a joy. I just want to chase joy.”