Taylor Swift Fans Earn the Wrath of Non-Swifties as Their Sleuthing for ‘Reputation (Taylor’s Version)’ Goes Too Far

Published 05/25/2025, 11:28 PM EDT

Taylor Swift is a lyrical illusionist who drops riddles in real time, and Swifties? The bounty hunters of the hidden, decoding eyeliner angles and font choices like they hold the key to national security. But since the sacred era of her re-recordings began, one ghost has haunted them more than any ex could: ‘Reputation (Taylor’s Version)’. Every sidewalk strut, every midnight Instagram post, every glittered mic grip, every outfit remains a suspect because nothing is safe from the Easter egg microscope. But just when the sleuthing hit a fever pitch, the non-Swifties armed with eye-rolls swiped at Swifties for making bagels of delusion out of breadcrumbs. 

Taylor Swift fans have reached the part of the mystery novel where even the red herrings are starting to sweat. A Taylor Swift fan page on X highlighted an aligned Instagram grid row from the pop star’s official Instagram profile, stressing the three consecutive posts she shared when she was announced TIME’s Person of the Year. Putting a microscope on the poses she struck for the cover shoot, the page emphasized they make silhouettes of “RTV,” abbreviations of ‘Reputation (Taylor’s Version).’

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In all honesty, even if the Swifties were to be believed, especially after the red outlines of Taylor Swift’s seemingly alphabetical postures, the row still reads “VTR.” But for the Swift devotees, not even a crumb can be lost in translation when it comes to ‘Reputation (Taylor’s Version).’ Any ordinary person would have let the Instagram grid slide, specifically because it dates back to 2023. However, with Swifties making the optimum yet bizarre use of their magnifying glasses, non-Swifties are curious whether they have lost sight of doing things the normal way.

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The timing is detrimental since Taylor Swift now has the chance to reclaim her master recordings with Scooter Braun reportedly backing a deal, urging Shamrock Capital to close the sale with her. But the non-Swifties? They are pretty much over with the entire ordeal.

Taylor Swift fans’ treasure hunt for Reputation (Taylor’s Version) has others on their last nerve

When it comes to Taylor Swift, Swifties can do anything and everything, just name it. But their incredible fan devotion is steadily irritating the ones residing on the other side. Since ‘Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor’s Version)’ hit The Handmaid’s Tale, fans caught a clue. However, with the Swiftverse on the vaguest trail of Easter eggs yet, the non-Swifties cannot help but call out their far-fetched theories.

A few were naturally devoid of the context because “RTV” for most read like a super-spy code.

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Meanwhile, the ones who caught up joined the row of ranters, armed with all kinds of Swiftie complaints. Some could not help but crack that despite the ridicule, Swifties mostly hit the bullseye with their bizarre theories. Sure, not all were as cynical. However, many lobbied shade, highlighting that when you look too hard for hidden meanings, you risk becoming one yourself.

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What do you think of the non-Swifties' shade on Taylor Swift fans? Let us know in the comments below!

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Anushka Bhattacharya

2387 articles

I'm Anushka Bhattacharya, an entertainment journalist at Netflix Junkie. Armed with a degree in literature, I once wielded my words to catalyze change within society through my work with NGOs. However, as I stumbled into the exuberant hole of crime thrillers and documentaries on Netflix, it was love at first sight and pushed me into entertainment journalism.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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