Taylor Swift’s rise to stardom wasn’t just the result of her incredible songwriting and performances—it also had a lot to do with her fearless attitude and bold decisions. One of the most memorable moments in her early career came when she personally reached out to Tyler Hilton, leading him to star in her Teardrops on My Guitar music video.
In a recent interview, Hilton opened up about the events that led him to appear in one of Swift’s earliest music videos, sharing an inside look into their early interactions.
A Growing Admiration Between Artists
Back in 2007, Hilton, who had already made a name for himself in the music world, praised Swift’s songwriting skills and particularly expressed his admiration for her debut hit, Tim McGraw. In an interview with US Weekly, Hilton gushed about the then-up-and-coming artist. Little did he know, this would lead to an unexpected connection.
“I didn’t know this, but she had watched all my videos on YouTube, like, all these little skits I did,” Hilton shared. This small gesture of admiration soon blossomed into something more substantial.
The Invitation
Swift’s team reached out to Hilton to let him know how much she appreciated his support, with her manager informing him that Swift was a big fan. “Her manager reached out and was like, ‘Wait, this girl Taylor Swift is actually a huge Tyler fan. She’s freaking out that you mentioned her in this magazine,'” Hilton explained.
Finding the situation endearing, Hilton was invited to attend one of Swift’s shows. However, what happened next was nothing short of a moment that would define their future interactions.
A Bold Request from a 15-Year-Old Taylor Swift
At the show, Hilton recalled an unforgettable moment when a 15-year-old Swift cornered him on stage. “She literally corners me on stage and goes, ‘I didn’t want to ask you backstage cause I was afraid you’d say no, but would you be in my next music video?'” Hilton remembered. This direct approach marked the beginning of their collaboration.
But Swift wasn’t done with just asking Hilton to appear in her music video. She also invited him to open for her during her upcoming shows. “And she just kept getting bigger and bigger,” Hilton said, admiring how swiftly (pun intended) Swift’s career took off after that moment.
Swift’s Continued Rise to Stardom
Since then, Taylor Swift has released 11 studio albums, each one showcasing her evolution as an artist and solidifying her status as a global superstar. She has embarked on multiple record-breaking tours, with the most recent being The Eras Tour, which captivated audiences around the world.
For Hilton, being a part of Swift’s early journey holds special significance. What started as a direct request from a young, ambitious artist led to a partnership that helped define a moment in Swift’s growing career.
Now, with Swift’s continued success, Hilton reflects fondly on the moment that helped create an even greater bond between two artists who, in many ways, grew up alongside each other in the music world.
