‘Swiftie dads’ find special bond with kids, thanks to superstar
Collingwood star Jack Crisp is a "Swiftie dad" and proud of it. Photo: Supplied
If there is one person who knows how loud the MCG can be, it’s Collingwood midfielder Jack Crisp.
Crisp also happens to be one of Australia’s “Swiftie dads”, emblematic of the rise and rise of the Swiftie-obsessed fathers who have emerged during the music artist’s time Down Under.
When Taylor Swift played at Crisp’s home ground, the MCG, he took along his six-year-old daughter Lilah.
Before heading off to the Eras Tour, Swift’s music was played at the Crisp house, though Lilah already knew quite a few songs, and the Collingwood star tried his hand at making friendship bracelets.
Speaking to TND, the father of three said Swift’s performance was “unbelievable”.
“At the end of the night when we got to the car Lilah said ‘That was so great, I loved it’ and with that, you know you made the right call,” he said.
Crisp can attest to Swift helping him bond with his daughters and said he saw several fathers at the show with their own daughters, including staff from Collingwood.
“I think it definitely holds a special place for the girls, and they really appreciate what their dads can do for them,” he said.
Crisp also thinks Swift is a good role model for his girls.
“She’s shown on many different levels that she can be an amazing role model for girls. She’s a strong, independent woman who followed her dreams,” he said.
“You can make your own story, live your life to its fullest and have your own journey and she’s doing that and bringing everybody along with her infectious music.”
In 2023, Swift had the biggest year of her career.
After releasing Midnights the year before, she kicked off the Eras Tour in the US, released two re-records and started a relationship with Super Bowl winner Travis Kelce.
In the US, the sports world went mad over the relationship and Swift’s attendance at Kansas City Chiefs games garnered a lot of media attention.
Some dads in the US were delighted their children were watching NFL games for the first time. Other fans weren’t too happy she was getting screen time.
Taylor Swift has introduced a whole new audience to NFL.
Crisp thinks Swift attending NFL games is a good thing, as she is introducing it to a whole new audience and getting young girls interested in sport.
He says he and plenty of other AFL players are supported by their partners and family, who also get a bit of screen time during the games, so it’s really not that different.
If there is one fan base in Australia that could perhaps rival Swift’s, it is the very passionate Magpie Army, whose cheers are often heard loudly at the MCG.
“The Swifties are next level,” Crisp said when asked about which group was louder.
Being able to take his daughter Lilah made the Eras Tour extra special for Jack Crisp.
The rise of Swiftie dads
New Spotify data has revealed 29 per cent of Aussie dads are Swifties and the vast majority say their children are to thank for that.
Of those Swiftie dads, 91 per cent said Swift’s music had a positive effect on their relationships with their children and 85 per cent believe her music has helped bring them together as a family.
Crisp isn’t the only famous Collingwood face who is proud to admit he’s a fan, with Magpies coach Craig McRae seen wearing a Kansas City shirt with his young girl at one show, and Mason Cox at another.
So perhaps it’s time more dads embraced Taylor Swift?
“Embrace being a Swiftie,” Crisp said.
“She’s changing the world, so why not?”
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