Taylor Swift urged students to embrace life’s awkwardness in her commencement speech after receiving her honorary doctorate.
Swift, 32, told thousands of NYU students Wednesday at Yankee Stadium that getting into embarrassing bruises is just a fact of life.
“Learn to live with cringe,” she said as she received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from the prestigious university.
“No matter how hard you try to avoid flinching, you’ll look back on your life and flinch.”
Swift added: “Life can be heavy, especially if you’re trying to carry it all at once.”
Continuing her philosophical theme, she added: “The scary news is that you are now on your own, but the cool news is that you are now on your own.”
The superstar also made a small joke in her eloquent speech, saying: “I’m 90% sure I got invited because I have a song called ’22’.”
Instead of going to college, the red pop star went straight into the music industry after graduating from high school a year early, aged 17.
Wednesday’s ceremony was an oversized ceremony honoring the 2020, 2021 and 2022 graduates. Graduation ceremonies for previous years’ graduates have been canceled due to COVID safety rules.
She urges students to think about the people who cared for them as children and to answer all their questions growing up, no matter how ridiculous. The music icon advised students that if they were in a crowd with them, they should find a way to thank that person, or if they were dead, to remember them.
“First time in hat and gown – bye NYU,” the singer wrote in an Instagram post as she headed to Yankee Stadium in New York, where the event will take place.
Taylor Swift held NYU Commencement at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday.She was awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts, left school to enter the music industry instead of college
This is the moment Taylor Swift received her honorary degree at NYU Commencement at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday
Swift looks delighted after getting a scarf in honor of her fine arts doctorate
On Wednesday, Swift waved to the crowd as she picked up a paper copy of her honorary degree
Taylor Swift is pictured at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday as she prepares to deliver the commencement address to NYU graduates and receive an honorary doctorate of performing arts
Taylor was apparently excited to receive an honorary degree at the famous New York City baseball stadium, and she was seen gasping as she walked across the field
The music icon donned a pair of leopard-print heels for the occasion and waved as she walked past the baseball field
Taylor is pictured with Jason King, head of the Clive Davis School of Recording Music, who also delivered the commencement address
Swift’s excitement was palpable as she walked to receive her honorary degree.She urges her graduates to thank those who have helped guide them through their lives so far
Swift is clearly excited about graduating as she and her graduates walk to the stage erected at New York City’s iconic baseball stadium
Graduate: Taylor Swift seen in hat and gown in new social media post
In the spotlight: The 32-year-old singer-songwriter will receive an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from New York University on Monday.The red pop star will also speak to the distinguished school’s graduating class
Her father, Scott Kingsley Swift, 70, posted the photo online as Swift prepared to head to the ceremony.
The star dropped her long blonde hair in bright red lipstick. A purple and black gown was paired with a black sleeveless dress, and she also wore heels with a fun leopard print.
The honorary degree will be a first for Taylor, as her career started right out of high school.
Pretty kicks: The hit maker also wears heels with a fun leopard print.Her father, Scott Kingsley Swift, 70, took the photo
The look below: The purple and black gown was worn over a black sleeveless dress like she also wore it
Due to the pandemic, NYU Commencement will recognize the graduating class of 2020, 2021 and 2022.
The university announced its upcoming plans in March.
“I cannot overstate how excited I am to be at NYU Commencement with graduates, parents, faculty and award recipients,” NYU President Andrew Hamilton said in a release.
A closer look: Bad Blood star dangles her long blonde hair down in bright red lipstick
Hello everyone: She was later seen giving the NYU 2022 Commencement address at Yankee Stadium
“Since 2019, we’ve been deprived of the festive, shared joy of graduation, and its absence has been strongly felt.
“Few groups of graduates deserve more celebration than these courses: their studies have been disrupted and isolated by a daunting pandemic, and these courses – 2022, 2021 and 2020 – with their courage, Known for grace and patience.
“We reconvened at Yankee Stadium with renewed gratitude for the act of celebrating together in person, recognition for the tremendous achievements of our graduates, and respect for their character and perseverance.”
Low key: Swift has been posting a lot of buzz about re-recording music; see 2021
Golden Girls: Swift at the 2019 AMA in Los Angeles
