Keeping up with Kellie Finlayson: It was a privilege to see Taylor Swift at her peak

There are hundreds of people wondering how I transitioned from sitting in a chemo chair to almost holding hands with the one and only, writes Kellie Finlayson.

At first glance, delving into the Taylor Swift phenomenon may seem unrelatable to many readers.

However, I can assure you that regardless of whether you’re a devoted ‘Swiftie’ or have never heard of her – though the latter is doubtful – the impact of her movement touches each of us in a unique way.

There are hundreds of people wondering how I transitioned from sitting in a chemo chair to almost holding hands with the one and only Tay Tay.

So, allow me to share my insights into how I got there and why her presence holds such significance.

Securing a ticket to night one of Taylor’s Eras Tour in Melbourne was an unbelievable stroke of luck for me.

The anticipation leading up to the event was lost on me, as I had been focused on treatment for the past two months.

Prior to that, I was among the many unfortunate Australian fans who missed out on tickets to any of the seven shows.

@kelliefinlayson_ Pleasssssse tiktok, do your thing! Get me to @Taylor Swift. And better yet, let me meet the queen 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽 #taylorswift#australia#melbourne#taylortickets#cancersucks#chemobrain#helpmeplease♬ original sound - Kellie Finlayson

The days leading up to her Australian arrival were filled with hype about her boyfriend’s Super Bowl win (I feel qualified in labelling Travis as her boyfriend after being labelled a WAG for several years).

Admittedly, I watched the Super Bowl solely in hopes that Justin Bieber would join Drake at the halftime show – my friends witnessed my soul leaving my body when he didn’t.

I turned to social media with a relatively desperate plea.

The power of social media, both positive and negative, could fill a column on its own. However, my lighthearted TikTok filmed in my chemo infusion chair found its way to its intended audience.

Kellie Finlayson and Matilda Conlon at Taylor Swift. Picture: Supplied

Taylor Swift from my vantage point. Picture: Instagram

I had several thousand people backing me to attend the concert, but one lovely follower, Shay Hill from Victoria, offered me an incredible opportunity to join her and her daughter in the A reserve section of the MCG, where I could basically touch Taylor.

It was a full-circle moment when I met her on the night and found out that just weeks before seeing my TikTok, she had stumbled across me and my experience through a friend who had been experiencing unusual symptoms and had gone to see a doctor in light of my advocacy – these are the stories I love hearing, and encourage me to continue sharing so authentically.

Now onto how she’s managed to sell out seven shows in Australia with over 95,000 people at each.

Taylor Swift’s song writing is unmatched; her ability to capture universal emotions through her own experiences resonates deeply with listeners.

Fans see themselves reflected in her music, within the complexities of their own love lives, self-discovery, or personal growth journeys.

Her lyrics cover all bases and transcend age, gender, and cultural background.

Personally, I believe the lyrics resonate deeply due to Taylor’s unwavering commitment to authenticity and vulnerability.

Swifties admire her willingness to share the intimate details of her life, struggles, and triumphs, creating a sense of friendship; it feels like her fans truly know her. A recent favourite example is the change in lyrics to her incredibly successful hit “Karma,” adding the likes of her new heart-throb Travis Kelce, which confirmed all the rumours of a potential romance.

Beyond her music, Taylor’s advocacy for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice has only increased and strengthened her fan base.

She’s a cultural icon and a role model for young people universally, earning respect from all ages.

The way she uses her platform for positive change is admirable; I certainly take a leaf out of her book most days.

For those wondering how her concerts could possibly be beneficial to the Australian’s that haven’t been lucky enough to watch her live?

The economy this woman is set to bring to Melbourne and Sydney over the weekends that she is playing her sell out shows, is astronomical.

While this may not have a direct impact on you, we, as Australians, should celebrate the wins our little island gets whenever they come our way.

And if you’re still not convinced that Taylor’s very presence in our country is a gift that we need to be grateful for and celebrate, than put yourself in the shoes of a Swiftie, and picture yourself being completely immersed in a crowd of echoing, slightly off tune, but simultaneously harmonic fans belting the lyrics that resonate so deeply, the happiest of tears dropping down their cheeks as they are starstruck by not only their idol but a complete universal icon.

This is girlhood.

This is a movement that I am convinced I’ll never see again in my lifetime, Taylor Swift has made history and I got to witness her at the pinnacle.