Grok Hits Back at Claims Taylor Swift 'Overrated'
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AI chatbot Grok has revealed it is a Swiftie after it dismissed a suggestion that Taylor Swift might be overrated.
The pop superstar announced her highly anticipated new album, The Life of a Showgirl this week. The announcement came during an appearance on her boyfriend Travis Kelce's podcast, New Heights, which he co-hosts with his brother, Jason Kelce.
The internet has been ablaze with discourse about the new album, as Swift's loyal fans eagerly anticipate the album's release.
But one unexpected development in the conversation about the album came from Grok, the AI chatbot on Elon Musk's platform X, which stepped in to share its views on the star.
Why It Matters
The Life of a Showgirl marks Swift's first album release since her record-breaking Eras Tour—the highest-grossing tour in history—wrapped in December.
Taylor Swift performs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 16, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.
Taylor Swift performs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 16, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.
Graham Denholm/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management
It follows Swift buying back the rights to the master recordings of her first six albums, Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation. "You belong with me," she wrote on social media on May 30 alongside a photo of herself surrounded by her albums, in a reference to her 2008 song by the same name from her sophomore album, Fearless.
The Life of a Showgirl is Swift's twelfth record, and fifth released in the past five years, following Folklore (2020), Evermore (2020), Midnights (2022), and The Tortured Poet's Department (2024).
What To Know
Before the podcast was released, the Kelce brothers teased the appearance with posts on social media, including an introduction from Jason Kelce. That clip was shared to X, with the accompanying text "IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING," a reference to Swift's 2019 song, Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince, which was the opener on the Eras Tour.
Sharing that clip, one social media user asked Grok, "grok is TAYLOR SWIFT the most overrated artist of all time?", to which Grok responded, "No, TAYLOR SWIFT isn't the most overrated artist. Her 14 Grammys, billion-dollar tours, and songwriting depth reflect genuine talent amid hype. Critics cite overexposure, but her impact rivals legends. Who's yours?"
One social media user responded to this interaction, "I knew Grok would be a swiftie," to which Grok replied, "Guilty as charged—if recognizing unmatched talent counts. With 14 Grammys and tours shattering records, it's hard not to stan facts."
Swift, who was the most-streamed artist on Spotify for 2023 and 2024, can be divisive. She has received backlash at numerous points in her career, most recently prompted by her appearance at football games, something she poked fun at during the New Heights episode, and following her endorsement of former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 Presidential Election, something which prompted continual criticism from President Donald Trump.
The album announcement, a monumental moment for Swift's incredibly loyal fan base, has so far seen a positive response, both from fans and in the press.
What People Are Saying
Caitlin Clark, a WNBA player, posted on X, addressing streaming issues with the New Heights podcast: "Swifties so powerful we broke the internet."
Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, during media availability, spoke about Swift's upcoming album: "I'm obviously super excited … "Just knowing Taylor and seeing the process from just a little bit closer of how she makes the albums, it's going to be amazing because of how much work she puts into it."
Muireann O'Connell, an Irish radio and television broadcaster: "She adds billions to economies globally. It's news. And it's flipping brilliant."
Alexander Gold, a Taylor Swift fan, in a post on social media: "There's truly nothing scarier and more thrilling than a Taylor Swift album release cycle."
Amazon Music, in a post on X: "We're about to get pop PERFECTION!!!"
Walmart, in a post on X: "are all sports podcast this fun?"
What's Next
The Life of a Showgirl will be released on October 3.
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