A Taylor Swift fan has sparked backlash after putting the singer's iconic hat, which she gives away to one lucky fan during every concert, up for sale for $20,000.
Many Swift fans, also known as “Swifties,” took to social media to share that they saw the cap for sale on Ebay. During each of her Eras Tour concerts, Swift heads to the back of the stage to give her black hat to a fan. She places the hat on a concertgoer's head while she performs the song “22,” as the music video for the tune features Swift wearing the accessory.
According to the list, which has since been deleted but reposted on X (formerly known as Twitter), the fan received Swift's hat when she attended one of her shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey last year. The inside of the hat was signed by Swift herself with a silver marker.
The starting bid for the item was $20,000, while the person who shared the ad said the money would go to the college fund of the young fan, who initially received the black hat at the concert.
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“OMG, someone is selling the '22' cap?! I hate people!!!” one person wrote.
“I understand that people go through difficult times and that money like that really changes their lives. If they need the money, I can't blame them. You can give them food and shelter for their family. But personally, I would never forgive my parents if they did this to me,” another responded.
A third wrote: “I really don't think it's okay for parents to sell a hat that wasn't given to them. It's the child's. It's not their hat they should sell. And if the child needs to pay for their own college because the parents can't afford it, let the child decide how they would like to finance it.”
However, other people said they understand the seller's decision and noted how expensive college can be.
“I don't know this shot, but we know nothing about this family's situation,” one wrote. “Yes, I know it may be a very real possibility that the parents forced themselves on the child, but we don't know for sure. Maybe she really needs that money to finance college? I think you all are too quick to judge.”
“Hey, drink it hot. “We don’t KNOW anything about this family’s situation,” added another. “You are all assuming the worst and yes, it is a very real possibility that the child will be forced to sell and the parents will spend the money… but it is really none of our business.”
Since the start of her Eras Tour last year, Swift has continued to use her iconic black hat as an opportunity to interact with a fan at every show. On certain occasions, she has given the hat to loved ones, as she gave it to Kobe Bryant's daughter, Bianka, during her concert in Los Angeles in August 2023. While performing in Texas in March 2023, Swift gave her sweetly the hat to the best. Gracie, the little sister of her friend Selena Gomez.
During a concert in Sydney, Australia, in February, Swift also gave the hat to a nine-year-old girl named Scarlett, who was diagnosed with cancer in October 2023. In a Facebook post, shared with X, Scarlett's stepmother revealed his initial hope that the nine-year-old would get the “22” hat, days before they attended the concert.
“Scarlett is very excited and would love to receive Taylor's '22' hat (like everyone else, I'm sure),” she wrote. “I just want her to experience everything in life and if anyone deserves a little happiness it's her. “She deserves the world.”
As of May 21, the list was removed.
