Highlights
- Swift says she refuses to “go away” despite criticism about her visibility.
- She reflects on career longevity and the mentors she turns to for advice.
- The singer calls 2025 “a good year,” citing her engagement and regaining her masters.
Swift addresses criticism during late-night appearance
Taylor Swift uses her appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to respond to those who say she should step out of the spotlight. Discussing the people she relies on for guidance, she says she admires longevity in careers, friendships, and relationships.
She notes that while some celebrate consistency, others push for her to move aside. Swift’s answer to those critics is blunt: she tells Colbert she simply does not want to “go away.”
The advisers she turns to
Swift names three people she leans on for advice: Stevie Nicks, Max Martin, and her fiancé, NFL player Travis Kelce. She says she can talk to Kelce about any part of her career.
She also reflects on how much this year has meant to her. Calling 2025 “a good year,” Swift says she is grateful for both her engagement and the return of her masters, outcomes she once thought might never happen.
Engagement and a major career win
Swift credits her fans for helping her regain her masters. She and Kelce confirm their engagement in August, posting a photo of the proposal surrounded by flowers. The couple began dating after Kelce attended one of her Eras Tour shows and later shared on his podcast how he had hoped to meet her after the concert.
Touring through illness
Swift revisits the intensity of the Eras Tour, which ran from March 2023 to December 2024 across five continents, with 149 three-hour shows. She reveals she performs through the stomach flu several times, aiming never to let audiences know she is unwell.
How she unwinds after each show
Swift describes her post-show routine: returning to her hotel, taking a bath, and ordering room service. She explains that relaxing means switching off the constant flow of ideas.
To wind down, she watches Dateline and listens to audiobooks, often choosing stories filled with mystery, romance, or unexpected twists.
