Things have been very different for Taylor Swift’s team since 2013.
In that year, before a concert in Denver. Despite her many years in the industry and thousands of engagements with fans, this was the first time the singer was sexually assaulted, her mother Andrea Swift testified Wednesday in U.S. District Court.
Swift is currently in a , David Mueller, the man she said groped her. Mueller says he did not assault the singer. He sued Taylor Swift, Andrea Swift, who doubled as senior management at the time, and the singer’s radio promotions manager, claiming they got him fired on false allegations. The with claims of assault and battery.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
A member of the media naps, during the third day of the Taylor Swift and David Mueller trial, outside Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse on Aug. 9, 2017 in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
The public standing area is empty, during the third day of the Taylor Swift and David Mueller trial, outside Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse on Aug. 9, 2017 in Denver.
David Zalubowski, The Associated Press
Members of the public enter the federal courthouse to sit in the courtroom for the third day of a civil trial to determine whether a Denver radio host groped pop singer Taylor Swift in a case in federal court Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Denver.
David Zalubowski, The Associated Press
A court officer directs members of the public into the federal courthouse to view the afternoon session of the third day of a civil trial to determine whether a radio host groped pop singer Taylor Swift in a case in federal court Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Taking a line from one of her songs, workers put up a sign in support of pop singer Taylor Swift in the window of an office building across the street from the Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse on Aug. 9, 2017 in Denver. the federal courthouse Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Denver. It is the third day of the Taylor Swift and David Mueller trial.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Paparazzi tries to take photos of Taylor Swift on the 8th flood of the Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse, during the third day of the Taylor Swift and David Mueller trial, on Aug. 9, 2017 in Denver.
David Zalubowski, The Associated Press
Johnny Hultzapple, front, of Denver, waits in a public line to view the afternoon session of the third day of a civil trial to determine whether a radio host groped pop singer Taylor Swift in a case in federal court Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Taylor Swift fans Johnny Hultzapple, 16, left and Laura Brandon, 17, stand outside the Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse, during the third day of the Taylor Swift and David Mueller trial, on Aug. 9, 2017 in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Taylor Swift fan Laura Brandon, 17, stand outside the Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse, during the third day of the Taylor Swift and David Mueller trial, on Aug. 9, 2017 in Denver.
David Zalubowski, The Associated Press
Hannah Gu, left, and Shantel Bartolme, both of Denver, emerge from the federal courthouse after attending the morning session of the third day of a civil trial to determine whether a Denver radio host groped pop singer Taylor Swift in a case in federal court Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Denver.
David Zalubowski, The Associated Press
Lawyers for pop singer Taylor Swift head into the federal courthouse for the third day of a civil trial to determine whether a radio host groped the pop singer in a case in federal court Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Denver. Former DJ David Mueller, sued Swift after she said he touched her backside before a concert in Denver in 2013. He's seeking at least $3 million. Swift countersued for sexual assault and is seeking $1.
David Zalubowski, The Associated Press
Surrounded by a phalanx of guards, Tree Paine, right, publicist for pop singer Taylor Swift, returns to a hotel after the second day of a civil trial to determine whether a Denver radio host groped the pop singer in a case in federal court Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, in Denver.
David Zalubowski, The Associated Press
Lauren Simpson, center, jokes with her husband, Ian, both of Provo, Ut., as they stand at the front of the line for public access to the courtroom for the third day of a civil trial to determine whether a radio host groped pop singer Taylor Swift in a case in federal court Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Denver. Former DJ David Mueller sued Swift after she said he touched her backside before a concert in Denver in 2013. He's seeking at least $3 million. Swift countersued for sexual assault and is seeking $1.
David Zalubowski, The Associated Press
Arthur Lewis, center, of Denver, talks to television reporter as Lewis waits in a public line to view the third day of a civil trial to determine whether a radio host groped pop singer Taylor Swift in a case in federal court Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Denver. Former DJ David Mueller sued Swift after she said he touched her backside before a concert in Denver in 2013. He's seeking at least $3 million. Swift countersued for sexual assault and is seeking $1.
David Zalubowski, The Associated Press
Tree Paine, publicist for pop singer Taylor Swift, heads back to a hotel after the second day of a civil trial to determine whether a radio host groped pop singer in a case in federal court Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, in Denver.
David Zalubowski, The Associated Press
Dani Kuta, a 17-year-old from Denver, smiles as she heads back to wait in a public line to view the afternoon session of the third day of a civil trial to determine whether a radio host groped pop singer Taylor Swift in a case in federal court Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Denver.
Jeff Kandyba via AP
In this sketch by courtroom artist Jeff Kandyba, pop singer Taylor Swift, left, and a defense attorney look on as former radio host David Mueller, background right, speaks during a civil trial in federal court Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, in Denver. Swift alleges that Mueller touched her during a concert meet-and-greet in 2013. The case went to court after Mueller sued Swift, claiming her false accusation cost him his job. He is seeking at least $3 million in damages. Swift countersued, claiming sexual assault.
In this courtroom sketch, pop singer Taylor Swift, left, appears with her lawyer and mother in federal court Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, in Denver. Swift alleges that radio host David Mueller touched her during a concert meet-and-greet in 2013. The case went to court after Mueller sued Swift, claiming her false accusation cost him his job. He is seeking at least $3 million in damages. Swift countersued, claiming sexual assault.
Jeff Kandyba via AP
In this courtroom sketch, pop singer Taylor Swift, front left, confers with her attorney as David Mueller, back left, and the judge look on during a civil trial in federal court Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, in Denver. Mueller, a former radio disc jockey accused of groping Swift before a concert testified Tuesday that he may have touched the pop superstar's ribs with a closed hand as he tried to jump into a photo with her but insisted he did not touch her backside as she claims.
Jeff Kandyba, The Associated Press
In this sketch provided by courtroom artist Jeff Kandyba, former radio host David Mueller appears in federal court Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, in Denver. Pop singer Taylor Swift alleges that Mueller touched her during a concert meet-and-greet in 2013. The case went to court after Mueller sued Swift, claiming her false accusation cost him his job. He is seeking at least $3 million in damages. Swift countersued, claiming sexual assault.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Courtroom artist Jeff Kandyba holds his drawing up for media outside the Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse on Aug. 8, 2017 in Denver. It is the second day in the trail of Taylor Swift against a Colorado radio personality, David Mueller, over allegations the former disc jockey fondled her four years ago.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Media takes images of drawing from courtroom artist Jeff Kandyba outside the Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse on Aug. 8, 2017 in Denver. It is the second day in the trail of Taylor Swift against a Colorado radio personality, David Mueller, over allegations the former disc jockey fondled her four years ago.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Fans line up to go inside the courtroom at Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse on Aug. 8, 2017 in Denver. It is the second day in the trail of Taylor Swift against a Colorado radio personality, David Mueller, over allegations the former disc jockey fondled her four years ago.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
A federal police officer takes a photo of a sign, where people wrote 'Free Tay!' with sticky notes, in an office window across the street from the Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse on Aug. 8, 2017 in Denver. It is the second day in the trail of Taylor Swift against a Colorado radio personality, David Mueller, over allegations the former disc jockey fondled her four years ago.
Tree Paine, Taylor Swift's publicist second from the left, walks with associates from the Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse after the second day of the Taylor Swift David Mueller trial on Aug. 8, 2017 in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Taylor Swift's lead attorney Douglas Baldridge, center, walks with associates from the Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse after the second day of the Taylor Swift David Mueller trial on Aug. 8, 2017 in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
People wrote 'Free Tay!' with sticky notes in an office window across the street from the Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse on Aug. 8, 2017 in Denver. Jury selection continues, during the second day, in the trail of Taylor Swift against a Colorado radio personality, David Mueller, over allegations the former disc jockey fondled her four years ago.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
A man takes a photo of the sign outside Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse on Aug. 7, 2017 in Denver. Jury selection began in the trial Taylor Swift against a Colorado radio personality, David Mueller, over allegations the former disc jockey fondled her four years ago.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Federal police wait outside the Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse as media stands under tents on Aug. 7, 2017 in Denver. Jury selection began in the trail Taylor Swift against a Colorado radio personality, David Mueller, over allegations the former disc jockey fondled her four years ago.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Taylor Swift's publicist Tree Paine, center, walks into the Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse on Aug. 7, 2017 in Denver. Jury selection began in the trial of Taylor Swift against Colorado radio personality, David Mueller, over allegations the former disc jockey fondled her four years ago.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Tree Paine, Taylor Swift's publicist center, walks into Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse on Aug. 7, 2017 in Denver. Jury selection began in the trail Taylor Swift against a Colorado radio personality, David Mueller, over allegations the former disc jockey fondled her four years ago.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
A sign directs people who want to attend the civil trial of Taylor Swift and David Mueller at the U.S. District Court in Denver on Aug. 7, 2017.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Taylor Swift performs to a sold out crowd June 2, 2013 during her Red Tour stop in Denver at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Taylor Swift performs to a sold out crowd June 2, 2013 during her Red Tour stop in Denver at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Taylor Swift performs to a sold out crowd June 2, 2013 during her Red Tour stop in Denver at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Taylor Swift plays the Pepsi Center in September.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Taylor Swift performs to a sold out crowd June 2, 2013 during her Red Tour stop in Denver at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Taylor Swift performs to a sold out crowd June 2, 2013 during her Red Tour stop in Denver at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Taylor Swift performs to a sold out crowd June 2, 2013 at Denver's Pepsi Center.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
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A member of the media naps, during the third day of the Taylor Swift and David Mueller trial, outside Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse on Aug. 9, 2017 in Denver.
Taylor Swift makes sure her fans are treated well and with respect, Andrea Swift testified Wednesday. She doesn’t charge for meet-and-greets. She meets with sick fans or longtime fans who haven’t been able to go attend concerts. Stages are set up so the singer can be close to fans and she used to walk through the aisles in the crowd, playing music, she said.
But lots of things have changed since .
“It absolutely shattered our trust,” Andrea Swift testified. “It made us do a bunch of things differently.”
Taylor Swift stopped going into the crowds, she said. Meet-and-greets were shrunk to smaller numbers as security started using metal detectors and wands. Additionally, the team ran background checks on meet-and-greet attendees, she testified.
Some spectators attending the trial Thursday said it shines needed light on sexual assault and sexual harassment.
When Samaria Alli was 19, a man in his 60s approached her and launched into a sexually explicit rant. Alli, now 21, and a musician and tour manager, was working with a band made up of men.
“They said, “You have got to grow a tougher skin’,” she said.
She responded by doing her job and then “went into a porta potty and cried.”
Most women understand the way Swift might have felt following the incident. In fact, many have had similar experiences, Alli said.
On Tuesday, Swiftap mother, Andrea, took the stand. She described her feelings after hearing her daughter’s story.
And she said that Swiftap reaction to Mueller that day — she shook his hand, and thanked him for coming — made her wonder if she had taught her daughter to be too polite.
“She has an image,” said Alli. “She couldn’t punch the guy in face.”
Sarah Roisman, 26, said she sees Swift’s reaction as ingrained professionalism overcoming shock.
That reaction would probably be familiar to many women who have had to cope with unwanted and aggressive sexual advances, especially in the workplace, Alli said. “You can lose your job.”
The trial has drawn a collection of fans, and court-watchers to the federal courthouse in Denver. They arrive early and wait for hours for a chance to get one of 32 tickets set aside for the public to sit in the courtroom.
John Tara, 55, arrived at 5:30 a.m. Although he isn’t a big fan, he thinks Swift is a great role model. He said he’s surprised admission is free.
Tara said he’s been sending text messages and selfies of himself at the courthouse to everyone he knows so they have a chance “to envy me.”
