Taylor Swift’s Exclusive Listening Session

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Julia Aleo, Writer

When the phone rang on Wednesday, October 1, this was the last thing I was expecting.

The person on the other end of the phone claimed to work for taylorswift.com, and wanted to invite me to a secret event on Friday, October 3.  She would not tell me what we were doing, but just explained it would be the best night of my life.

I had to meet at a secret location, which was the Holiday Inn in NYC, at three in the afternoon on Friday. No earlier, no later. She explained I would not be allowed to take anything in with me to this event, including my phone. I would be taken to a location which they could not disclose at the time.

I was told very sternly that I could not tell a single person about this event (except immediate family and friend who was also invited), otherwise I would be disqualified. My father and I did not know what to think. Was this real? Was it a scam? Was I being sold to slavery? Well, we took the chance.

I did what I was told, and showed up on time Friday with my friend, Bridget, to the hotel. We soon found out our other friends, Traci and Olivia were there, and I became even happier. We stood in line what felt like hours to be checked in, and held hands with excitement the entire time.

We went through about four security check points that took quite a bit of time, I was given a wristband and my hand was stamped, I was finally ready to go.

When we pulled up in the coach bus, I already knew exactly where we were. Everyone began screaming with excitement because we were outside Taylor Swift’s apartment complex.

After finally reaching the top floor, the ladies of Taylor Nation opened the doors for us, and we were welcomed in to Taylor Swift’s New York City apartment.

We were told we can go anywhere throughout the house, except upstairs which was blocked by a security guard. I began to walk into the living room, which was huge to say the least. The couches were moved around walls of the room, and there were pillows all over the floor, surrounding a chair. There was a big flat screen TV, and a pool table.

The whole place had a vintage feel, with old cameras and bird cages with books in them. She also had all of her awards (Grammys, VMAs, Billboard) scattered everywhere.

Past the living room there was an open room with a piano. The piano was a grand, and wide open with the keys and everything. There were tall cabinets and high windows with huge curtains. There was a secret little bathroom within the cabinets as well!

In the kitchen is where the drinks were held in big tubs of ice. The kitchen was completely white with a big white marble island in the middle. All of the appliances were sterling silver, and looked brand new. There were paintings and drawings on a cork board/chalk board in her kitchen.

There were also black and white pictures throughout home of Taylor and her friends.

There were three rooms in the back, two were bedrooms and one sitting room. The sitting room had Polaroid pictures of Taylor and her friends on the wall framed. Both of the bedrooms were decorated beautifully, and each had bathrooms.

In one of the bedrooms, there was a very big window looking over the city, and on the windowsill Meredith, one of Taylor’s cats, was sitting in the sun. We were allowed to pet her and hold her, but she looked a little grumpy.

Finally, the beautiful Miss Swift made her way down the grand stair case into the living room. She looked happier than I’ve ever seen her.

Taylor made her way around the room to her seat. As she was walking, she began to point out people and said hello.

“Patty, I’m so glad you could make it!” “Arielle, oh and the boyfriend! Thank you for coming so last minute!” Taylor did this to multiple different people.

She sat down in her chair and looked around the room with glee for one last time. Taylor laid her eyes on Traci, Bridget and me. I can still hear her saying “You’re the Fearless Fab girls, right?” and we instantly started screaming and crying.

(Background: The Fearless Fab is a group of eight girls, me included, who constantly support Taylor. We live in different parts of America, but we are friends because of Taylor. We each send her a letter a week to her fan mail address, and this is how we got picked to meet Taylor. Taylor Nation knew who we were when they called us and arrived to the event as well)

At this point, Taylor got back on track and began talking about the new album. I cannot disclose any of this information because Taylor really wants this album to be a surprise for the others.

But, I can tell you Taylor put her heart and soul into this album and she is extremely proud of it. She told about a 10-15 minute background about each song (NOT WHO IT WAS WRITTEN ABOUT) and then played the song.

Taylor played the first six songs and then we had a short intermission. Taylor went into her kitchen and came out with huge plates of homemade, (by her) cookies and Rice Krispy treats. They were SO GOOD.

During this time I was passed Taylor’s other cat, Olivia. This little white furball is the cutest, loving thing in the whole world! She laid on my arm and just purred the whole time.

After the other six songs were finished, Taylor took off her heels and danced around the room with everyone, holding her heels high in the air, to “Shake it Off.”

After “shaking it all off,” Taylor screams “Time for pictures!” and walked into the hallway by the grand stair case.

The Taylor Nation girls told us to line up according to our numbers on our wrist bands. I was group six, and on the second bus load, so I knew I had awhile.

We talked to a security guard and asked if we could play pool. Scott Swift, Taylor’s father, overheard and immediately said “Lets’ do it!” He helped us rack up the balls and talked to us for a while. He gave us some Taylor guitar picks and just chatted as we all took turns shooting. He’s a pretty funny guy.

We also talked to Mama Swift, Taylor’s mom, for about an hour. She’s the sweetest lady in the entire world and I asked her multiple questions I wanted to know. She also told us stories about Taylor’s childhood, things about the RED tour, and shared some thoughts for the upcoming tour.

It was about our time to take pictures, so we hugged Mama goodbye and she told us we were the sweetest girls and thanked us for loving Taylor.

Olivia was the first to meet Taylor. I watched with excitement as all of her dreams came true, and she told Taylor everything she ever wanted. Right after Olivia, I went.

I gave Taylor the biggest hug in the world and she said she was so happy I could make it despite the wedding I was supposed to attend. (Taylor knew my name and this before I told her.) I told her my “Swift Story,” how I discovered her in 2007 and how she has been my bestfriend ever since. Taylor told me I was hers as well.

I asked her how she knew about the Fearless Fab, and she told me that she sees how active we are online and she really appreciated it. I asked her if she knew about out letter project, and she looked slightly confused.

I began to explain and she immediately screamed “YES.” She grasped my arms and looked me in the eyes and told me she received all our letters and told me it was her goal to meet us all, I began tearing up.

I told her she was basically my diary, and that I told her everything. I asked if she read my five page letter after I got home from camp, she told me yes of course, and even quoted something from it. I was so happy. I thanked her for giving me my bestfriends, and smiled and hugged me again.

It was time for the picture. She said right after that she knew I wanted to do something funny.

I asked if it would be okay if she jumped on my back and she said yes right away. But she said, “Wait, are you strong? I’m heavier then I look.” I laughed and said yes of course, I took off my heels and she jumped on my back. She was extremely light, by the way.

After, she said she wanted to take a picture with the Fearless Fab. Traci and Bridget ran over and we decided that Bridget and I would kiss her cheeks and Taylor would hug Traci’s shoulders. When the pictured was finished, I gave Taylor one last hug.

I gave Bridget her turn to talk to Taylor before we exited it together. When we walked out of Taylor’s apartment, we were given a tote bag full of presents.

On this tote bag was the 1989 album cover, and on the inside was three t-shirts, two 2015 calendars, and a key chain that says “1989 Listening Session New York, New York.”

Thank you, to Taylor Swift and Taylor Nation for giving me the best night of my life, it felt like a dream. I could never explain the gratitude I have toward you all. Thank you for everything you do for the fans, and most importantly thank you for always being there for me, Taylor.