Taylor Swift Lookalike Responds to Prank Backlash

A TikTok star gaining popularity on the platform for making herself look like Taylor Swift has faced backlash. She performed what she called a "social experiment." The TikToker, Ashley Leechin, whose handle is @noitisashley13 (a play on Swift's favorite number 13 and her Twitter/X handle), has over one million followers. She collaborated with YouTuber Vic In the Game over the weekend. It was reported that the she was "escorted out of a shop in Los Angeles after being mistaken for the singer by fans." Leechin, 30, described this staged event as a "social experiment." She wanted to see what it was like to live a day as a high-profile celebrity. The TikToker wore oversized sunglasses and Taylor's signature red lipstick, with the YouTuber's crew posing as her bodyguards.

Ashley had a "positive experience" with Swifties in person when she revealed to them that she was an impersonator. But, she said online criticism over the prank has made her question the fandom. Posting on her Instagram Stories, Leechin wrote over a screenshot, "While we are still bashing me for collaborating with a YouTuber, let's not forget the insane amount of other people who do and have done the same exact thing." She continued on to say, "It was a video and it was fun. No one got hurt except your feelings at this point. I will continue to collaborate with whoever I want to and your nasty comments do not affect my life."

The nurse, wife, and mom of two addressed the backlash on TikTok yesterday (August 21). Following that up, she posted a video lip-syncing to Swift's 1989 track, "Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince." With the lyrics "You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes," the TikToker added in the caption: "Bad timing huh."

The TikToker isn't the first person to impersonate Swift in public, which she pointed out on her Instagram Stories. The YouTuber Vic In The Game has also done other experiments of other artists like Bad Bunny and The Weeknd lookalikes as well.