Topline<\/p>\n
A new documentary series about Taylor Swift\u2019s record-breaking Eras Tour has reignited a debate online about the moral implications of wealth accumulation, as scenes showing Swift giving generous bonuses to her tour staff have fans claiming she should be exempt from criticism faced by other billionaires.<\/p>\n
American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift on May 24, 2024. <\/p>\n
AFP via Getty ImagesKey Facts<\/p>\n
The second episode of her new docuseries \u201cTaylor Swift: The Eras Tour | The End of an Era\u201d shows what Swift called \u201cbonus day,\u201d when crew members were each given handwritten letters and large bonuses for their months of work around the world.<\/p>\n
In the episode, backup dancer Kameron Saunders reads a letter from Swift aloud to other dancers and, while the exact amount of the bonus is bleeped out, it has been reported the dancers took home an extra $500,000 each.<\/p>\n
Other scenes show production assistant Max Holmes saying he’s going to “pass out” after receiving his bonus and one dancer taking a breath from an inhaler before joining in on a group hug. <\/p>\n
In total, Swift gave out $197 million in bonuses to everyone working on her tour from truck drivers to caterers, lighting engineers and her glam team, and the gifts have<\/a> fans<\/a> arguing<\/a> she\u2019s an example of an \u201cethical billionaire.\u201d<\/p>\n The \u201cethical<\/a> billionaire<\/a> debate<\/a>\u201d questions whether or not it\u2019s possible for someone to accumulate vast wealth without exploiting people or systems in an unethical way, and weighs the positive contributions to society made by billionaires against perceived negative implications of broader issues like wealth disparity. <\/p>\n Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We\u2019re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day\u2019s headlines. Text \u201cAlerts\u201d to (201) 335-0739<\/a> or sign up here: joinsubtext.com\/forbes.<\/a><\/p>\n Key Background<\/p>\n Swift became a billionaire<\/a> in October 2023 and owes much of her wealth to $800 million she pulled in from royalties and touring, along with her $600 million music catalogue, and $110 million in real estate. Criticisms of Swift’s wealth have largely focused on her private jet<\/a> usage<\/a> and the corresponding environmental impact, and claims she\u2019s exploited her fans by encouraging over consumption. Earlier this year she was criticized<\/a> by<\/a> fans<\/a> who said she used her latest album, the \u201cLife of a Showgirl,\u201d to chase industry records by partnering with tech giants Apple and Google to promote the album and releasing more than two dozen \u201cexclusive\u201d variations of the same record. She put out 34 different physical and digital versions of the same songs\u2014all with different art and exclusives\u2014within weeks of the album\u2019s release. <\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n