NYU's 2022 Commencement Speaker Taylor Swift

The video script begins with an introduction ceremony at NYU, where Jason King, Chair and Associate Professor of the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, presents Taylor Swift as a candidate for an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree. The audience's enthusiastic response highlights Swift's multifaceted career as a singer, songwriter, producer, director, actress, and advocate for artists' rights. Her philanthropic efforts and her influence across various demographics are acknowledged, culminating in the conferment of her honorary degree.

In the second paragraph, Taylor Swift expresses her gratitude to NYU's administration and faculty and shares the honor with her fellow honorees, Susan Hockfield and Félix Matos Rodríguez. She humorously attributes her honorary degree to her song '22' and celebrates the graduation of the Class of 2022. Swift emphasizes the collective journey of the graduates, acknowledging the support systems that have shaped their paths, and encourages the audience to remember and thank those who have influenced their lives.

Taylor Swift delves into her own unconventional educational journey, from public high school to homeschooling amidst her burgeoning music career. She contrasts this with the unique challenges faced by the NYU Class of 2022 during the global pandemic, highlighting the resilience and adaptability required in such circumstances. Swift's narrative focuses on the idea that life does not always go according to plan, but it is the ability to adapt and make the best of any situation that truly matters.

In this paragraph, Swift shares life lessons and 'hacks' she has learned, emphasizing the importance of letting go of grudges and unnecessary burdens to make room for the positive aspects of life. She encourages the audience to be discerning about what they choose to carry with them. Swift also discusses the inevitability of 'cringe' moments in life, advocating for the acceptance of past awkwardness as a natural part of personal growth and development.

Swift passionately advocates for the expression of enthusiasm and the rejection of the stigma around eagerness in society. She shares her personal journey as a songwriter and the various creative avenues it has opened for her, from music videos to live performances. The paragraph underscores the interconnectedness of her artistic endeavors and the joy of creative exploration, while also acknowledging the complexity of navigating different 'voices' in various aspects of life.

Taylor Swift reflects on the transformative power of mistakes, sharing her personal experiences with rejection, public scrutiny, and the challenges of maintaining a private life in the public eye. She discusses the pressure of perfectionism and the liberating realization that mistakes are an integral part of life, leading to growth and resilience. Swift encourages the graduates to embrace their imperfections and to learn from their experiences.

In the final paragraph, Swift addresses the uncertainty and excitement of stepping into the future without the structured framework of school. She acknowledges the difficulty of making life choices and the impossibility of knowing which path is the right one. Swift leaves the audience with a message of empowerment, emphasizing that while they will make mistakes, they will also learn, grow, and become more resilient. She ends with a humorous nod to her new title as a doctor and an optimistic note about the shared experience of the Class of '22.