Taylor Swift Addresses Her Sexual Assault Trial in a Rare Interview
“I was angry. Why should I be polite?"
Time magazine’s Person of the Year honors the “Silence Breakers,” the women who are speaking out about alleged sexual harassment and assault. As part of the issue, Taylor Swift took part in a rare interview and spoke out for the first time about her sexual assault trial, which took place in August.
RELATED STORIES
Swift alleged radio DJ David Mueller reached under her skirt and grabbed her rear end while they took a photo together in 2013. She reported him privately to the company, Mueller was fired, and Mueller sued her for defamation. Swift countersued, claiming Mueller did commit the assault and should be punished "to serve as an example to other women who may resist publicly reliving similar outrageous and humiliating acts."
She took the stand on August 10 to testify against him, after days of Mueller’s lawyer questioning her colleagues and loved ones. “My mom was so upset after her cross-examination, she was physically too ill to come to court the day I was on the stand. I was angry,” she said. “In that moment, I decided to forego any courtroom formalities and just answer the questions the way it happened.”
That led to a blunt testimony that immediately went viral. For example, when asked why the front of her skirt didn’t look wrinkled in the photo, she replied, “Because my ass is located at the back of my body.” Swift later says she didn’t feel like mincing words on the stand. “This man hadn’t considered any formalities when he assaulted me, and his lawyer didn’t hold back on my mom—why should I be polite?” she said. “I’m told it was the most amount of times the word ‘ass’ has ever been said in Colorado Federal Court.”
[pullquote align='center']“This man hadn’t considered any formalities when he assaulted me, and his lawyer didn’t hold back on my mom—why should I be polite?”[/pullquote]
Swift ended up winning the case, and Mueller was ordered to give her a symbolic $1. “To this day he has not paid me that dollar, and I think that act of defiance is symbolic in itself,” Swift said. In the meantime, Swift has personally donated money to charities that support sexual assault victims, like Mariska Hargitay’s Joyful Heart Foundation.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Megan Friedman is the former managing editor of the Newsroom at Hearst. She's worked at NBC and Time, and is a graduate of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism.
-
Kate Middleton Makes First Major Royal Appearance Since July at Festival of Remembrance Concert
The Princess of Wales is making her slow return to full-time royal work following the end of her cancer treatments.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Who is Susie Wiles? President-Elect Donald Trump Names His White House Chief of Staff
The political consultant helped the former president run his successful 2024 campaign.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Zoë Kravitz's Breakup Style Just Took an Elevated Turn
She's dressing in lace and diamonds.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Jimmy Kimmel Jokes He Hopes Donald Trump Lets Him "Share a Prison Cell With Taylor Swift"
Oof.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Taylor Swift Fan Reacts to Star Apparently Wearing Her Chiefs Jacket After Buying It on eBay
A pretty cool claim to fame.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Taylor Swift's Mom Andrea Is in Her "Chiefs Era" at Travis Kelce's Latest Game
This comes as the singer posted a reminder to her fans to vote.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Hailey Bieber Shares Her First Photo of Baby Son Jack Blues Since Giving Birth—See the Sweet Shot
So freaking cute.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Hugh Grant Got "Absolutely Smashed" on Tequila With Travis Kelce at the Eras Tour
Pardon me???
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Sources Are Saying There's an "Engagement Countdown"
"He is not going to do anything careless or reckless with her."
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Taylor Swift Fans Think Joe Alywn Might Be Dating Kendall Jenner
And, predictably, they have *thoughts*.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Stevie Nicks Wants Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce to "Ride Off Into the Sunset" and "Have Babies"
Well, don't we all.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published