Taylor Swift opened up about her "biggest scandal" and how much her life has changed over the past two years while being interviewed for the November issue of Esquire magazine.
While discussing her recent relocation to the Big Apple the 24-year-old singer told the magazine's Scott Raab that she never expected to fall in love with New York City.
"I thought I'd be too overwhelmed by how busy and bright and crazy the city is," she said. "Then all of a sudden, this year, all I wanted to do was live in New York. I never thought I would be so happy being completely unattached to anyone romantically."
Asked if she understood the public's obsession with her dating habits, Swift was quick to point out sexism in the media and the fact that behind every celebrity story -- especially if it's about a female celebrity -- there's a "yea... but" situation.
"Take Beyonce," she said. "She's incredibly talented, gorgeous, perfect role model for girls, empowering women all over the world. Yeah, but ... let's try to pick at her marriage. I think that every celebrity has that. And predominantly women, unfortunately."
Swift's realization that she can't control the way the media spins stories -- she said it's "the only thing" she can't control -- is what led her to stop dating.
"I would date someone, figure out we weren't compatible or figure out we didn't work out, and then we'd break up. That seems like a very normal thing for a young 20-something to do, and that is my biggest scandal," she shared.
But spending time being single has been beneficial for the singer in more than one way, as she claims to have found an "entire league of incredible girlfriends" who are the only people she can trust. She knows this because: "nothing true about [her] is being written in the press right now."
However, dealing with the media's scrutiny is not the only thing Swift doesn't like about celebrity culture. The "Out of The Woods" singer said people's obsession with Hollywood -- she has received death threats and multiple men have been arrested lurking around her houses -- has rendered her unable to walk around without security and has kept her from driving alone for the past six years.
"I'm not gonna let them make me have a meltdown. But, I think, as a songwriter you lose your edge if you find a way to protect yourself from everything they're going to say about you," she said, later adding. "It's all about walking a tightrope between not being so fragile and breakable that they can level you with one blow and being raw enough to feel it and write about it when you feel it."