Can Taylor Swift Be an Underdog and the Biggest Pop Star on Earth?

Feelings of persecution have long driven Swift’s most powerful songwriting. But even as fans and critics dinged her latest album, her numbers continue to explode.

Last week, Taylor Swift did something highly unusual, in the context of the past decade of her career: She responded, however obliquely, to her critics. And it wasn’t in a song.

Asked by the Apple Music radio host Zane Lowe how she felt about the reaction to her 12th original album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” Swift seemed to acknowledge that her latest work hadn’t been universally praised, or invariably defended by her loyal fans.

“I have a lot of respect for people’s subjective opinions on art. I’m not the art police,” she said, turning the focus to her listeners. “Oftentimes, an album is a really, really wild way to look at yourself, right? What you’re going through in your life is going to affect whether you relate to the music I’m putting out at any given moment.”

Inside the World of Taylor Swift

A Cinematic Universe: Pop culture is saturated with franchises, and Taylor Swift is the master of creating them. But her marketing is beginning to overtake the music.

‘The Life of a Showgirl’: Swift sold four million copies of her latest album in opening-week sales, topping a decade-old milestone by Adele.

Musso and Frank: Swift name-dropped the storied Hollywood restaurant on her new album, and the restaurant confirmed she is a customer. But which booth does she prefer?

The Path to Fame: As she enters her next era, we look back at pivotal moments of Swift’s career

Her Engaged Era: Swift and football player Travis Kelce announced their engagement on Instagram: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.” Kansas City was enchanted by the announcement and we already have ideas on where they should honeymoon.