In her first UK interview in more than three years, Taylor Swift has opened up about feeling "totally broken" after the turmoil of 2016. Speaking in mid-August at her Nashville apartment, the 29-year-old singer said that "every domino fell" during that period, leaving her unable to speak publicly about anything.
Swift, who has spent much of the past three years living quietly in London with actor Joe Alwyn, gave the interview at the property she bought in 2009. She described the apartment as a time capsule from her teenage years, complete with a blue velvet vestibule, gilt frames and a giant birdcage.
Reflecting on the turmoil of 2016, which saw a high-profile standoff with Kanye West and a backlash over her failure to endorse a US presidential candidate, Swift said she felt "completely incapable" of doing or saying anything publicly. She also faced a court case over a sexual assault claim during that time.
Her new album, Lover, released yesterday, marks a lighter departure from its predecessor, Reputation. Much of the record is inspired by her relationship with Alwyn, although she declined to discuss the relationship in detail, saying: "I just need some things that are mine."
