Holly Armstrong, a longtime fan of Taylor Swift, has had the opportunity to meet the star twice – first back in 2003, and then again in 2019. Armstrong, a 34-year-old Texan, shared with PEOPLE that Swift’s music and the community of fans around it have been a source of strength and support for her, referring to them as a “lifeline”. Recently, Armstrong has taken her fandom to the next level by launching an online shop featuring handmade crafts inspired by some of her favorite Swift lyrics.
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In 2003, Armstrong had a chance encounter with Taylor Swift when the budding musician was performing a small acoustic set on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Despite there being only a small crowd gathered, Armstrong, who was just 12 at the time, had the opportunity to meet Swift and even received a demo CD with two unreleased tracks. This meeting would later prove to be significant for Armstrong, as it marked the beginning of her deep connection to Swift’s music during a challenging time in her life.
Over the years, as Taylor Swift’s career skyrocketed and her fanbase expanded, Armstrong kept her initial meeting with the singer largely to herself, wanting to preserve the special memory. However, in 2019, as Swift released her album “Lover”, Armstrong’s social media post sharing her 2003 photo with Swift gained traction within the Swiftie community. This newfound visibility led to Armstrong receiving an invite to a Secret Sessions event with Swift before the album’s release.
Reuniting with Swift after 16 years, Armstrong was touched when the pop star not only remembered their first encounter but also expressed gratitude towards her. The experience of meeting Swift once again and being acknowledged by her idol was incredibly validating for Armstrong, leading to an outpouring of support from fellow fans on social media.
During the pandemic, Armstrong faced burnout from her corporate job, which ultimately led her to discover a passion for crafting. This newfound interest inspired her to launch Starlight & Sage Co., an online shop featuring handcrafted products inspired by Swift’s music. The response from the Swiftie community has been overwhelmingly positive, with Armstrong receiving an unexpected number of orders on the shop’s opening day.
Armstrong’s journey from being a fan who cherished a personal connection to Taylor Swift to becoming an entrepreneur creating products that resonate with fellow Swifties showcases the power of music and community to inspire personal growth and creative pursuits. Her story serves as a testament to the profound impact that artists like Swift can have on their fans and how that influence can lead to positive transformations in their lives.