A pair of Taylor Swift fans have faced criticism for soliciting donations from strangers to fund their 1,500km journey to attend her concert at Melbourne’s MCG.
Emily and Gemma, dedicated Swifties from Lismore, NSW, embarked on a road trip spanning two states and the ACT to witness the 14-time Grammy winner perform live.
Displaying their dedication on their vehicle’s back windscreen, they provided a PayID number for contributions with the message: ‘1500 KMs to Taylor Swift. #2brokegirls.’
However, their plea for financial support sparked backlash when a photo of their car’s back window circulated on Facebook.
One commenter described the act as ’embarrassing and shameless,’ asserting, ‘It’s wild to ask for donations when everyone is struggling right now.’
Another echoed the sentiment, stating, ‘If she can afford Taylor Swift, she can afford god damn fuel.’
Despite the criticism, some individuals were more sympathetic to Emily and Gemma’s situation.
‘Work smarter, not harder,’ one person advised, while another shared their own experience of driving from Brisbane to Melbourne, lamenting they should have employed a similar tactic.
A different perspective was shared by those who defended the fans’ right to seek donations, emphasizing individual choice and autonomy.
Amidst the debate, one woman disclosed that she had contributed money to support the pair, finding humor in the situation: ‘This is hilarious. I have adult money so I sent them some. Hope they have fun.’
Meanwhile, excitement brewed as thousands of Swifties, adorned in cowboy boots and glittery attire, descended upon the MCG for the highly anticipated concert.
Anticipated to draw crowds of up to 260,000 over three consecutive nights, the Melbourne shows mark the beginning of Swift’s Eras tour, spanning every phase of her illustrious career.
The economic impact of the concerts is expected to extend beyond Victoria and NSW, with interstate and overseas fans booking flights and accommodations for the event.
Enhanced transportation services have been arranged to accommodate the influx of concertgoers, including extended tram services and additional train and bus routes.
While logistical challenges loom, with road closures and other events taking place in the vicinity, fans eagerly await the opportunity to immerse themselves in Swift’s musical journey.
