Taylor Swift’s Father Allegedly Assaults Photographer on Sydney Waterfront
Melbourne, Australia – A shocking incident unfolded on the Sydney waterfront on Tuesday when a photographer claimed to have been assaulted by none other than Taylor Swift’s father, Scott Swift. The alleged assault took place at the Neutral Bay Wharf, just after Taylor Swift and her father had disembarked from a luxury superyacht. The incident occurred shortly after the conclusion of the pop star’s Australian leg of her Eras Tour.
According to Ben McDonald, the photographer who reported the attack to the police, he had been taking pictures of Taylor Swift and her entourage on the superyacht in Sydney Harbor during a late-night celebration. McDonald decided to report the assault, despite not being seriously injured. He described the attack as “just a punch in the chops” and mentioned that he did not require medical assistance.
McDonald, a veteran paparazzo with 23 years of experience, expressed his surprise at being assaulted by the talent’s father. He stated, “In 23 years, I haven’t been assaulted and punched in the chops, particularly by the talent’s dad.” Taylor Swift’s representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
However, a spokesperson for the star informed Rolling Stone magazine that two individuals had been aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor Swift and her team. They had grabbed security personnel and even threatened a member of the singer’s staff. The New South Wales Police Force confirmed that they were investigating the alleged assault of a 51-year-old man by a 71-year-old man at 2:30 a.m. The police did not release any names in accordance with their policy.
The accused man was later identified as Scott Swift by a law enforcement source. Australian police revealed that Scott Swift had left the country, but investigations were ongoing. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift departed Australia on a private jet after performing in front of over 600,000 fans during seven stadium concerts. Her next stop is Singapore, where she has already sold out six dates at the National Stadium, with over 300,000 tickets purchased.
McDonald recounted the events leading up to the alleged assault, stating that he and other media personnel were waiting to photograph Taylor Swift as she walked with her entourage from a jetty to waiting cars. He claimed that security personnel were shoving umbrellas into him and his camera, and then Taylor Swift got into her car. Suddenly, another person came running towards McDonald and punched him in the face. Initially, he believed it was an Australian security personnel trying to protect the Americans, but upon reviewing photos from the evening, he realized it was Taylor Swift’s father.
McDonald insisted that there was no reason for the violence, stating that they had waited for Taylor Swift to come up and had kept the situation civil. He expressed his frustration, saying, “But no, they had to be (expletives) and put the umbrellas up and umbrellas over her and then shove the umbrellas into our faces and then make out that we’re the ones making contact with them.”
In response to the incident, Taylor Swift’s fans took to social media to defend her father. One user with the handle @Soyytv posted, “Free Scott Swift.” Scott Swift, affectionately known as “Papa Swift,” has become a fan favorite for his kind gestures towards young members of Taylor Swift’s audiences. Despite having a career as a financial adviser, he regularly attends his daughter’s concerts and public appearances.
The investigation into the alleged assault continues, leaving fans and the public eager for more information. As Taylor Swift moves on to her next tour destination in Singapore, the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by celebrities and their families in maintaining privacy and security amidst a dedicated fan base and relentless media attention.