--- title: Taylor Swift Fourth of July Party Instagram description: Taylor Swift's annual Fourth of July party has long been revered as a source of FOMO — but is it actually fun IRL? canonical: https://time.com/4394014/taylor-swift-4th-of-july-instagram-2016/ author: Cady Lang article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2016-07-05T22:01:48.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-04-13T07:34:04.862Z article:section: Entertainment og:title: Looking At Taylor Swift's Fourth of July Party Is Stressful og:description: Welcome to Taymerica og:url: https://time.com/4394014/taylor-swift-4th-of-july-instagram-2016/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: TIME og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Looking At Taylor Swift's Fourth of July Party Is Stressful twitter:description: Welcome to Taymerica twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- # Taylor Swift's Fourth of July Party Looks Like a Lot of Work ## Video: The Power of Taylor Swift [Watch (HLS stream): The Power of Taylor Swift](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/mUgZx3qP.m3u8) (2:04)  _Published 2015-06-22. One day after Taylor Swift publicly blasted Apple Music for not paying artists during the service’s free, three-month trial period, Apple reversed its position_  by [Cady Lang](https://time.com/author/cady-lang/)  ## Cady Lang Jul 5, 2016 10:01 PM UTC  by [Cady Lang](https://time.com/author/cady-lang/)  ## Cady Lang Jul 5, 2016 10:01 PM UTC [Taylor Swift](http://time.com/3578249/taylor-swift-interview/) is bound and determined to lead a life (and then document it on Instagram, [because, ya know, pics or it didn’t happen](http://time.com/4384106/taylor-swift-tom-hiddleston-photos-beach/)) that induces FOMO—and [her Fourth of July party](http://time.com/4390634/taylor-swift-july-4th/) is practically the apex of photo-opp worthy, so-precious-it-hurts activities. This does, however, beg the question—_is it actually fun IRL_? The now-notorious annual soirée feels somewhat less than a party and more like a display of celebrity calisthenics, tailored (reference!) for the ‘Gram. Did you think that Fourth of July was a holiday to kick back and relax? Think again. Taylor Swift has taken good ol’ American patriotism to next level with a party that stresses me out, despite all the fun activities, boundless sunshine and beautiful people that she surrounds herself with. Here are eight examples of why being at Taylor Swift’s Fourth of July party is exhausting, as illustrated by her Instagram feed. 1\. Tay makes everyone dress in matching swimsuits, which is something that’s completely unacceptable outside of being a small child with no agency to protest, or a bridesmaid. 2\. So many group pics. ALL. OF. THE. GROUP. PICS. 3\. Normal slip-and-slide activities are discouraged. Major or significant water performances are preferred. 4\. Apparently, declarations of love have to come in the form of personalized T-shirts and temporary tattoos. 5\. In fact, aggressive body paint seems to be a recurring theme at T. Swift’s parties. 6\. We are all Ryan Reynolds’ face in this moment (be honest, wouldn’t Hiddleswift inspire this kind of reaction from you too?) 7\. Not playing charades is _not_ an option, apparently. 8\. More matching outfits. More group photos. 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