Disappointment swept through the crowd at Detroit's Jingle Ball as fans eagerly anticipating pop star Taylor Swift's performance were instead greeted by an impersonator, prompting many to criticize the event for false advertising.
The excitement was palpable as iHeartRadio, the event's organizers, announced Swift as the headliner for the festive concert, alongside other popular artists like Usher, Flo Rida, and Lil Durk.
However, what fans didn't realize was that the introduction of "Taylor Swift" was actually an impersonator going by the name 'Trailer Swift.' As the performer took the stage, delivering renditions of some of Taylor's greatest hits, the audience's initial elation turned into a mix of confusion and disappointment when they realized it wasn't their beloved pop icon.
You can see the impersonator's performance below.
The hosts hyped up the impersonator, riling up the crowd by referencing Swift's chart-topping songs like "Cruel Summer," causing many fans to believe they would actually see Swift on stage.
You can watch the deceptive intro below.
@_mindorbit A radio station from Detroit tricked the audience into thinking that Taylor Swift would be performing at Jingleball.. and people weren’t happy #fyp #taylorswift #taylorsversion #swiftie #erastour #greenscreen
Later revealed to be a stunt by a Detroit radio station, the act aimed to promote a competition for tickets to Swift's upcoming 2024 Eras Tour shows.
After footage of the incident circulated on social media, many criticized the event organizers.
Reporters with The Messenger later identified the impersonator as the station’s producer, Kristin Penrose, who started her set by performing an off-key rendition of "Fearless," one of Swift's earliest hits.
The disappointment felt by fans was evident, with some concertgoers mentioning that Penrose faced a tough crowd, even having to restart her set due to the audience's realization that she wasn't actually Swift.
Swift herself is currently enjoying a two-month break before she resumes her Eras tour. The tour, spanning 24 cities, has been credited with injecting life back into local economies and tourism significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic's aftermath.
Additionally, her Eras Tour concert film swiftly ascended to become the highest-grossing concert film in the U.S. and Canada, raking in nearly $250 million worldwide within eight weeks of its 13-week run.