We’ve all seen the paparazzi shots. A group of impossibly tall, glamorous women walking three-abreast down a New York City sidewalk. It’s the visual shorthand for Taylor Swift’s friends, a group that has been analyzed, envied, and occasionally criticized for over a decade. But if you think you know the roster just by scrolling through Instagram, you’re probably missing the real story.
The "Squad" isn’t a fixed monolith. It’s more like a living, breathing ecosystem that has survived public feuds, messy breakups, and the sheer, exhausting weight of being associated with the biggest star on the planet.
The Inner Circle That Actually Lasts
People love to talk about the "new" friends, but the ones who really matter are the ones who were there before the private jets and stadium tours.
Abigail Anderson Berard is the blueprint. You know her from the song "Fifteen." She isn't a supermodel or a Grammy winner. She’s just Taylor’s best friend from high school in Nashville. While other faces come and go based on who is currently "in," Abigail is a constant. She’s the one Taylor calls when the world feels like it’s collapsing.
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Then there is Selena Gomez. Their friendship started in 2008 when they were both dating Jonas Brothers—Taylor was with Joe, Selena with Nick. It could have been a weird, competitive "celebrity friendship," but it turned into a sisterhood. On September 27, 2025, Taylor reportedly gave a moving speech at Selena’s wedding to Benny Blanco. That’s not a PR stunt; that’s nearly twenty years of shared history.
Why the Haim Sisters are Different
If you’re looking for the fun side of Taylor Swift’s friends, look at Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim. They aren't just opening acts for the Eras Tour. They are the friends she goes on vacation with and wears matching Bill Murray sweatshirts with. Honestly, their bond feels less like a professional networking group and more like a chaotic, loving family. They even collaborated on "no body, no crime," a song about—well, murdering a cheating husband. That’s true friendship.
The "New Era" and the Brittany Mahomes Factor
Everything changed when Taylor started dating Travis Kelce. Suddenly, the guest list at the Sunday games became the most-watched seating chart in America.
Brittany Mahomes is the name everyone is talking about lately. It was an unexpected pairing. You’ve got a global pop icon and the wife of a star quarterback, seemingly from two different worlds. They even have a secret handshake.
Critics have pointed out their differing political views, especially after the 2024 election cycle. Taylor endorsed Kamala Harris, while Brittany’s social media activity suggested a different lean. But interestingly, they’ve stayed close. It’s a rare example of a public friendship that doesn't immediately shatter the moment someone disagrees on a ballot. They’ve been seen at the U.S. Open and various Chiefs games, proving that the bond is likely deeper than the "WAG" headlines suggest.
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Is the "Squad" Still a Thing?
Sorta. But it’s not the 2015 version.
Back in the 1989 era, the "Squad" felt like a performance. It was a defensive wall built to protect Taylor after years of being mocked for her dating life. Today, the group is more fragmented and private.
- Gigi Hadid: Still very much in the picture. Taylor even made a handmade blanket for Gigi’s daughter, Khai.
- Blake Lively: There’s been a lot of internet chatter lately about a "rough patch" or a falling out following some legal drama involving Blake's film It Ends with Us. While some sources claim they aren't speaking as of late 2025, they’ve survived rumors before. Blake and Ryan Reynolds are basically family to Taylor; she even used their kids' names (James, Inez, and Betty) in her songs.
- Jack Antonoff: He’s the musical soulmate. Their friendship is built on 2 a.m. recording sessions and a shared obsession with 80s synth-pop. He’s probably the most influential person in her creative life.
The Reality of Being Taylor’s Friend
It’s not all glitter and VIP tents. Being one of Taylor Swift’s friends comes with a massive target on your back.
If you stop being seen with her, the internet assumes you’re a "traitor." Just look at what happened with Karlie Kloss. Once inseparable, the two haven't been seen together in years. Fans have spent literal hundreds of hours analyzing lyrics to figure out why. The pressure of that level of scrutiny is enough to make anyone want to retreat.
Emma Stone is a great example of how to do it right. She’s been friends with Taylor since they were teenagers, but she almost never talks about it. She stays off-camera. She doesn't do the "performative friend" thing. Because of that, their friendship has actually survived the madness of the last two decades.
How to Tell Who is "Real"
- The Gift Test: Taylor is famous for hand-sewing gifts or making blankets for her friends' babies. If you get a "misshapen" teddy bear, you're inner circle.
- The Eras Tour VIP Tent: If you’re in there more than once, you’re a regular. If you’re there once and never seen again, you might just be a "work friend."
- The Social Media Silence: In 2026, the realest friends are the ones you don't see on her Instagram.
The circle is clearly shifting. With the potential of a wedding with Travis Kelce on the horizon, the group of people Taylor trusts is getting smaller and tighter. It’s less about having the most famous people in the room and more about having the people who will actually keep her secrets.
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To keep up with the latest shifts in this circle, pay attention to the liner notes of her next project. Taylor doesn't usually give interviews about her personal life anymore, but she always leaves a paper trail in the credits. Watch for names like Ashley Avignone or Keleigh Sperry—the "behind-the-scenes" friends who are often the most permanent fixtures in her world.