In the middle of 2024, a single lyric sent the internet into a tailspin. "I was a functioning alcoholic / 'til nobody noticed my new aesthetic."
People lost it.
Was this a confession? A cry for help? Or just another layer of the "Tortured Poet" persona she’s been building for years? Honestly, when you’re the biggest star on the planet, every glass of wine you hold becomes a headline. Every mention of a "dive bar on the east side" gets dissected by fans and critics alike. But if we’re looking for a simple "yes" or "no" to the question of whether Taylor Swift is an alcoholic, we have to look past the clickbait and into the actual evidence.
The "Fortnight" Frenzy and Lyrics vs. Reality
Let’s talk about that line from Fortnight. For anyone who has actually struggled with substance use, those words hit like a physical punch. It’s a heavy thing to say. But here is the thing about Taylor: she is a songwriter who treats her life like a series of metaphors.
Sometimes she’s the hero. Sometimes she’s the villain. Sometimes she’s a character in a fictional town called Holiday House.
In her Time Person of the Year interview, she admitted she used to "tour like a frat guy" but had to change everything for the Eras Tour. She basically went stone-cold sober for the tour. Why? Because you can’t perform for three and a half hours, three nights a row, with a hangover. You just can’t.
Why the rumors started in the first place
- The Reputation Shift: Before 2017, Taylor was the "good girl." Suddenly, her songs were full of Old Fashioneds, whiskey on ice, and "spilling wine in the bathtub."
- Pandemic Press: Like half the world, Taylor hinted at drinking more during the 2020 lockdowns. We all saw the "not wasting wine" comments.
- The Matty Healy Era: There’s a lot of fan chatter that the Tortured Poets Department lyrics reflect a time when she was trying to keep up with someone else’s lifestyle.
- Public Sightings: From chugging a beer at the Super Bowl to holding a French Blonde at a party, her social drinking is very public.
The Discipline of the Eras Tour
If you want to see what someone’s relationship with a substance looks like, look at their work ethic. Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is basically a marathon in sequins. She told Time magazine that she stopped drinking months before the tour started.
✨ Don't miss: Joseph Herbert Jr. Explained: Why Jo Koy’s Son Is More Than Just a Punchline
"Doing that show with a hangover... I don't want to know that world," she said.
That doesn't sound like someone who can't control their intake. It sounds like someone who views alcohol as a "fun night" reward rather than a daily necessity. She even joked about her "one night of freedom" at the Grammys where she let loose before going back to the grind.
But some people find this confusing. They see her with a drink at a Chiefs game and think, "Wait, she said she wasn't drinking." There's a big difference between being "sober" (the identity) and "not drinking right now" (the choice for a specific goal). Taylor seems to fall into the latter camp. She’s disciplined when it matters, and relaxed when it doesn't.
Is the "Functioning Alcoholic" Line Autobiographical?
This is where the E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) comes in. Experts in addiction, like those who spoke to Everyday Health after the album dropped, point out that "functioning alcoholic" isn't a medical diagnosis—it's a stage.
Many people use alcohol to cope with "gilded cage" syndrome—the feeling of being trapped by fame. In Dear Reader, she sings about "my fourth drink in my hand" and tells the listener they wouldn't want to follow her advice if they knew who was talking.
It’s dark. It’s gritty. But is it Taylor Swift the person, or Taylor Swift the artist exploring a feeling?
🔗 Read more: John Belushi Death Pictures: What Really Happened at the Chateau Marmont
The "Aesthetic" of Misery
In the Fortnight video, she’s in a psychiatric ward. It’s stylized. It’s an "aesthetic." It's possible she was using the term to describe a period of deep depression following her breakup with Joe Alwyn. When you're that sad, a glass of wine can easily turn into three.
But labeling her an "alcoholic" based on lyrics is a reach. It ignores the fact that she has maintained a record-breaking career for two decades without a single public "meltdown" or cancelled show due to substance issues. Most people in the throes of true addiction don't have the stamina to run on a treadmill for two hours while singing their entire setlist.
What Taylor Has Actually Said
Back when she was 21, she told 60 Minutes she didn't even like the taste of beer. She wasn't a "drinker." Obviously, people change. You grow up, you find a cocktail you like, you go to dinner with friends.
She has never checked into rehab. She has never been arrested for a DUI. She has never appeared visibly intoxicated in a way that interfered with her job.
The most "scandalous" thing she's done is look a little tipsy at an after-party or an award show. Honestly? If I had to deal with that much paparazzi, I’d probably want a drink too.
Understanding the Difference
It’s important to distinguish between alcohol misuse and alcoholism.
💡 You might also like: Jesus Guerrero: What Really Happened With the Celebrity Hair Stylist Death Cause
- Misuse: Drinking to cope with a breakup or a stressful time (like a pandemic).
- Alcoholism (AUD): A chronic inability to stop despite negative consequences.
Taylor’s "negative consequences" seem non-existent. She’s at the peak of her physical health and her financial power.
Actionable Takeaways for the Curious
If you're looking at Taylor's lyrics and wondering about your own habits, there's a few things to keep in mind. Lyrics are a mirror, not a medical record.
- Audit your "why": Taylor sings about drinking for celebration (Champagne Problems) but also for escape (Cruel Summer). If you find yourself only drinking for the latter, it's worth a look.
- The stamina test: If you can’t cut out alcohol to achieve a major life goal—like she did for her tour—that’s a red flag.
- Ignore the "aesthetic": Don't romanticize the "tortured poet" who drinks alone. It's a great theme for a song, but a tough way to live a life.
Taylor Swift is a master of storytelling. She knows that "I had a glass of Pinot Noir with my salmon" doesn't sell records. "I was a functioning alcoholic" does. She’s giving us the drama we pay for, while living a life that is clearly defined by extreme discipline and health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol, the conversation shouldn't be about a pop star's lyrics. It should be about reaching out to professionals. You can find resources at SAMHSA or talk to a doctor about the spectrum of Alcohol Use Disorder.
To stay informed on how celebrity culture impacts mental health discussions, you might want to look into the "Sober Curious" movement or read up on how modern stars are balancing public pressure with personal wellness.
Next steps: Research the "Sober Curious" trend in Hollywood to see how other celebrities like Bella Hadid or Blake Lively approach drinking, or check out the official NIAAA guidelines to understand the clinical definition of "functioning" vs. "disorder."