Analysis
The quote appears verbatim in the published interview titled **‘Taylor Swift: “I’m intimidated by the fear of being average”’**, conducted by Emma Brockes for *The Guardian* on **June 29, 2014**. The phrasing matches Swift’s documented tendency to discuss perfectionism and self-driven pressure in her career, as seen in other interviews from that era. No credible sources dispute the attribution, and the interview remains archived on *The Guardian*’s website.
Background
The 2014 interview coincided with the lead-up to Swift’s fifth studio album, *1989*, a period marked by her transition from country to pop and heightened media scrutiny. Swift has frequently addressed themes of ambition and self-doubt in interviews, aligning with the quoted sentiment. *The Guardian* is a reputable outlet with strict editorial standards, reducing the likelihood of misattribution.
Verdict summary
Taylor Swift did state in a 2014 *The Guardian* interview that she is 'intimidated by the fear of being average.'