A number of Taylor Swift‘s fans have taken to social media to criticize the pricing of the pop star’s merchandise—specifically a branded candle.
Swift’s website offers a range of products ranging from apparel to a selection of trinkets and collectibles. And while her fans—who are dubbed “Swifties”—are known for their devotion to the star, some have complained about the pricing.
On Swift’s website, an 8oz candle is offered for $50. The soy candle’s glass jar and box are branded with the name of the star’s most recent album, The Tortured Poets Department. Per the website, the candle “features an oud and amber scent.”
Sharing a screenshot of the candle in question, which is part of Swift’s holiday collection, one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “I appreciate Taylor’s merch, but $50 for [an] 8 ounce candle is crazy.”
Another commented: Come on @taylorswift13. I love you girl but this candle is f****** ridiculous. Your fans should not be taken advantage of like this.”
On fan said that the candle “better smells like Taylor herself,” while another stated: “$50 for a candle? I don’t even like paying $10 for a candle I can actually smell before purchasing.”
“Is it just me or is $50 insane for a candle?” asked another.
“Taylor Swift herself better come and light the candle for that price,” read one comment.
Adding another product to their complaint, another fan chimed in: “I love you Taylor, but $75 for a blanket and $50 for a candle?!”
Newsweek has contacted a representative of Swift via email for comment.
While the price point on a Swift-branded candle hasn’t won the highest praise, products on her website sparked a conversation of a different kind last week.
On November 13, fans shared screenshots showing three sweaters placed on top of one another on Swift’s website. The image has been taken as a hint that Swift will be releasing recordings of her 2006 debut album, Taylor Swift, and her 2017 album Reputation.
“WAIT…. This is an Easter egg,” one fan wrote on X of the image. “WE ARE GETTING DEBUT TV BEFORE SUMMER AND THEN AFTER SUMMER WE GET REP TV.”
The “TV” in question is “Taylor’s Version,” representing the re-recordings of earlier albums that Swift has released following a rights dispute with music mogul Scooter Braun. The record executive purchased Big Machine Records, Swift’s first label, in 2019, giving him ownership of her first six albums.
The post showed the top sweater featuring Taylor Swift’s name, followed by another emblazoned with the words “Summer With You,” taken from the lyrics of her track “Cruel Summer.” The final sweater on the bottom showed the words “Starry Eyes,” taken from the lyrics of Swift’s track “Call It What You Want,” which features on her Reputation album.
With the “Summer” top serving as the divider, fans have theorized from the post that Swift’s version of Taylor Swift will likely be released in the earlier part of the year, while a new Reputation recording will follow in the latter half.
Back in 2019, after music mogul Braun purchased the rights to Swift’s master recordings from her first six albums—before selling them to Shamrock Holdings—Swift announced that she would re-record the albums.
Since 2021, Swift has released the re-recordings of 2008’s Fearless, 2012’s Red, 2010’s Speak Now, and 2014’s 1989. To date, Swift’s self-titled debut album and Reputation are the only two of the recordings not yet re-recorded.
Swift’s most recent album, The Tortured Poets Department, was released in April. It was her 11th album.
The post Taylor Swift’s Merch Comes Under Fire From Fans appeared first on Newsweek.
