Transgender Man Cast as Taylor Swift’s Love Interest in New Music Video
Music & Arts
Taylor Swift’s ‘Lavender Haze’ video was released just last Friday and has already been viewed over 10 million times. Written and directed by Swift, the video featured Laith Ashley, a transgender model, as her love interest. The two are seen cuddling and lying in bed together throughout the video, which is the third released from Swift’s recent ‘Midnights’ album.
The album is Swift’s tenth studio album, released in October 2022 telling “the stories of 13 sleepless nights” throughout her life.
Swift took to Instagram to thank Ashley for his involvement, saying that she "absolutely adored working" with him to create a "sultry sleepless 70's fever dream."
Swift has been praised for featuring a trans man in her video, particularly at a time when trans lives are constantly under attack, and is seen to be a part of her wider support and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.
"The love interest in Taylor Swift’s new Lavender Haze music video is trans model and artist, Laith Ashley," Ashley Spencer, culture writer, noted. "At a time when trans rights are increasingly under attack, this representation is major."
Ashley took to Instagram to thank Swift for involving him in the music video, recognizing the significance of his casting and appreciating her allyship. “Thank you Taylor Swift, for allowing me to play a small part in your story. You are brilliant, and this is an experience I will never forget. It was truly magical. Your storytelling abilities through your music and visuals continue to leave me in awe, inspired, and hopeful.
“Thank you for being an ally,” Ashley continued, “And for continuously using your platform for good. Representation matters. AND LOVE WILL ALWAYS WIN!”
