Pretty Little Liars actress Troian Bellisario 'appalled' by Taylor Swift's 'false feminism'

'She does nothing but tear down the women that were once her friends'

Troian Bellisario is less impressed with Swift

(Getty Images)

Taylor Swift’s brand of feminism has long been a subject of debate. At once seemingly inclusive and at other times apparently vengeful, she is held up by some as a symbol of strength and determination, and by others as emblematic of a feminism not all women can identify with.

Swift’s speech at the Grammy’s, an apparent dig at Kanye West’s ‘I made that b**ch famous lyric’, is one of many soundbites from the singer reinforcing her staunchly feminist stance.

“As the first woman to win album of the year at the Grammys twice, I want to say to all the young women out there: there are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame, but if you just focus on the work and don't let those people sidetrack you, some day when you get where you're going you will look around and know it was you and the people who love you who put you there, and that will be the greatest feeling in the world.”

Swift undoubtedly has her legions of fans and continues to be one of the most successful people in music, a male-dominated industry beset by sexism. But the ‘squad’ she has cultivated on social media with her many famous friends has come under criticism for promoting an in-group mentality. Swift has also been feeling the heat from Kim Kardashian and Calvin Harris in recent weeks, with hyperbolic headlines about how the pair have at once individually and then together "dragged" her.

Distrust post-KimYe Snapchat furore is also emerging from other quarters. Troian Bellisario is with the camp that feels less persuaded by Swift, telling Cosmopolitan: “I'm so appalled by what I consider to be her false feminism.

”It seems like she's this person who's like, 'Sisterhood!' and then she does nothing but tear down the women that were once her friends.”

The Pretty Little Liars actress was equally unconvinced by Swift’s nemesis and reality TV queen Kardashian or the family empire: “I literally don't understand people's obsession with them.”

A representative for Swift did not immediately respond to a request for comment.