Last week she released a catchy new song called Welcome to New York.
And her enthusiasm for the Big Apple was cemented yesterday, when Taylor Swift was announced as Global Welcome Ambassador for New York City.
Appearing on Good Morning America, the 24-year-old, who was born in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Nashville, said: ‘I’m so enthusiastic about this city that I feel like, when I love something, I’m very vocal about it, I’m vocal about it with my music.
As part of her role, the singer presented a series of videos for New York’s official tourism agency, NYC Go, including one in which the singer explains some common slang words, such as ‘stoop’ (commonly known as a porch) and ‘bodega’, the 24-hour corner shops which sell ‘almost anything’.
I heart NYC: Taylor Swift, pictured enjoying the sights in August, is a passionate New York fan
‘A lot of heart’: The singer explains that New Yorkers are friendly to tourists and the city is easy to get around
In another video, she assures visitors that in New York, ‘people are very friendly and there’s also a lot of heart here. And it’s easy to get around. People will help you if you ask for help.’
But it seems not everyone is quite so upbeat about her appointment.
The singer, who recently bought a £12million apartment in the trendy Tribeca area, has lived in the city less than a year, and residents were shocked that she was selected to represent the city.
No stranger to the bright lights: The singer performs on New Year’s Eve 2013 in Times Square
Enjoying the Big Apple: The pop star recently bought a £12million property in the city’s Tribeca neighbourhood
‘Taylor Swift has nothing to do with NYC, she is a bad representation. Get a real NY’er instead,’ commented Ilana Vickers.
‘Seems like a truly ridiculous ambassador,’ wrote another poster, Kiersten Kehrer.
But NYC Go stood by their decision, saying: ‘We couldn’t have asked for a better synergy between Taylor and NYC & Company to tell our story about what makes New York City, New York City.’
‘This is a campaign targeting visitors to New York City rather than locals,’ they told MailOnline Travel.
‘There’s a separate campaign encouraging locals to explore their own city that celebrates the views of locals.’
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL
