Let’s hear it for the birthday girl!
While Taylor Swift certainly has the love of her millions of fans worldwide, some of her closest friends have shared a glimpse into what it’s like to experience the girl behind all the glitter. As Blake Lively put it, “She’s even better in real life.”
From being “the most generous friend” to “how genuine she is” see some of the sweetest things Swift’s friends — and boyfriend — have said about her, in celebration of the Grammy winner’s 35th birthday on Dec. 13, 2024.
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Blake Lively
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“Somehow, she’s even better in real life. Happy, happy birthday to the one and only,” Blake Lively wrote in celebration of Swift’s 34th birthday last year alongside photos from the soirée.
Zoë Kravitz
“It’s crazy. I mean, I’m not surprised because Taylor is scary talented at everything she does so it’s not surprising that she’s so good,” Zoë Kravitz told Jimmy Fallon of her experience catching the Eras Tour in London this year.
She continued, “But what is weirder to me is that after she performs for however many thousands of people that are, you know, she just comes over after and we drink some wine and eat a burger and hang out. You would just never know that she just performed at Wembley.”
“There are a lot of famous people who don’t let you forget that they’re famous,” she added. “They bring Wembley home with them if that makes sense. She really just turns into a normal person. It’s pretty crazy.”
Sabrina Carpenter
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“She’s one of my best, best friends, and we grab dinner or text and catch up like you would with your best friend,” Sabrina Carpenter told Variety.
Gracie Abrams
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“Being a part of that tour in a tiny way has changed the course of my life in so many ways,” Eras Tour opening act Gracie Abrams told PEOPLE at the 2024 Grammys. “She’s just the most unbelievable performer and the most generous friend … It’s not lost on me that her belief in me has really just…done a lot. So, I’m deeply grateful to her, forever.”
Gigi Hadid
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When celebrating Swift’s 30th birthday in 2019, Gigi Hadid wrote, “My T ! 💛 An old soul celebrating 30 years here … and what a phenomenon you are. It’s rare someone can be inimitable yet still make hearts feel at home with innate generosity. I love you and can’t wait to celebrate you sister !!!!”
Haim
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“She has always put her friends before herself in every situation,” Alana Haim told PEOPLE last year. “She’s the kind of friend that checks up on us for weeks after a tough breakup and is a shoulder to lean on.”
Alana’s sister Danielle added, “She’s incredibly prolific. Every time we all get together, we get so excited because we know she’s going to play us something new and groundbreaking. Her heart is always open, and you can hear it in her songs.”
Hayley Williams
“Not long after we became friends, she knew I felt awkward going to my ex’s wedding, so she tagged along with me, made it fun, and then we ditched the reception to go to the Cheesecake Factory,” Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams, told PEOPLE in 2023.
“She recently called when I was going through a rough time, just to listen and crack jokes and give me solid advice that of course sounded like perfectly formed lyrics,” she added. “She’s funny as s— and so fun.”
Aaron Dessner
“Taylor is the hardest working artist I’ve ever encountered,” Aaron Dessner, who met Swift in 2014, told PEOPLE last year. “She is involved in every aspect of writing and producing her songs and has an incredible attention span and focus on detail.”
He added, “I’ve spent a lot of time with her and I’ve never seen anyone wait on her. When I have stayed at her house, Taylor herself was cooking everyone breakfast and dinner. She’s legitimately just a very down to earth and hardworking person.”
Ryan Reynolds & Hugh Jackman
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“She uses her powers for good — could use them for bad — but uses them a different way. [She’s] one of the funniest people you’ll meet,” Ryan Reynolds told PEOPLE during a chat with his pal Hugh Jackman (who agreed Swift is “very funny”) earlier this year.
Keleigh Teller
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“As a friend, this one hurts so much. She goes on stage sad or happy it’s so incredible 🥹,” Keleigh Teller commented on a since-deleted TikTok video in response to one of her followers calling “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” their favorite Taylor Swift song.
Travis Kelce
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Swift’s boyfriend has said an array of super sweet things about the superstar since the two started dating more than a year ago including opening up about the moment he “started to really fall” for her.
“She’s very self-aware,” he said on an episode of Barstool Sports’ Bussin’ with the Boys . “And I think that’s why I really started to really fall for her, was how genuine she is around friends [and] family. It can get crazy for somebody with that much attention … and she just keeps it so chill and so cool.”
