Taylor Swift: A look at the guest stars who have popped up on her '1989' tour
Taylor Swift has shared the stage with mega-stars like Julia Roberts and John Legend, as well as lesser-known acts like Fifth Harmony and Walk the Moon.
Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press/AP/File
Another tour stop, another slew of celebrity guests for singer Taylor Swift.
Superstar Swift has been traveling on her “1989” tour this summer, and just about every stop has included appearances by celebrity guests. During her Aug. 25 show, singers John Legend, Beck, and St. Vincent all showed up on stage.
Other recent guests have included Ellen DeGeneres, Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, and Alanis Morrisette.
Swift is traveling on her tour following the 2014 release of her “1989” album. She’s nominated in several categories at the MTV Video Music Awards, which will air on Aug. 30, and she picked up various top awards at the Billboard Music Awards this past spring. “1989” is still at number seven on the Billboard 200, which ranks albums across all genres.
Swift’s special guests on the “1989” tour – and there have been many – have included non-singers such as Ms. DeGeneres and Julia Roberts, as well as singers who are as much a household name as Ms. Roberts or DeGeneres. But Swift has also invited people who are comparatively new kids on the block, including Fifth Harmony, which released its debut album earlier this year. Their song “Worth It” became a hit this summer.
In addition, the band Walk the Moon popped up on Swift’s tour. While the band released its first studio album in 2010, their song “Shut Up and Dance,” which debuted as part of their 2014 album, became a massive hit this spring.
Rapper Fetty Wap also appeared with Swift on tour. He has not yet released an album but he currently has two hit songs in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, “Trap Queen” and “679.” Another, “My Way,” is right below it at number 11.
Swift has proven in the past she has an eye for talent – singer Ed Sheeran opened for her many times on her 2013 “Red” tour. Mr. Sheeran, who was already well-known in the UK, said at the time, “I think Taylor’s just opening up a lot of doors and it’s up to me to make sure that I get through to them. It’s a massive opportunity for me and I want to make sure to grab it with both hands.” Sheeran has released such hit singles as “Thinking Out Loud” and “Sing.”
Swift’s “1989” tour was the most “in-demand” tour of the summer, according to ticket seller StubHub, and “1989” is now a five-time platinum album.