Now that Taylor Swift has announced the arrival of her 11th studio album in April, titled The Tortured Poets Department, the focus has been on her. A few days ago, the tracklist was released, where one of the songs was named Clara Bow.
This is the 16th song, which is based on the story of the silent film actress and the first It Girl, who faced public intrusion into her personal and romantic life, leading to a nervous breakdown.
Many fans have been speculating and creating theories regarding the melody, lyrics, and how the singer’s story connects with the star who shone in the 1920s. Here, check out who the memorable It Girl was…
Who was Clara Bow?
Clara Bow was an American silent film actress and one of the early Hollywood superstars. She was born on July 29, 1905, in Brooklyn, New York and passed away on September 27, 1965. In her heyday, she was known as the “It Girl“, a term coined to describe her allure and charisma on the screen.
She gained popularity during the 1920s and became one of the highest-paid actresses of the time, with the 1927 film “Wings” being one of her standout performances. She won the first Academy Award for Best Picture for her role on this one, and the film “It” contributed to her nickname as the It Girl.
Throughout her career, she starred in over 40 films, but her success was affected by the transition to sound cinema and some personal challenges. Despite this, her legacy as one of the early film stars continues to be remembered in the history of the entertainment industry.
Despite enduring injustices for most of her life, her determination to escape the darkness in which she lived and seek a better life eventually led to better days. Everything happened after she submitted photos to The Fame and Fortune Contest and landed the role, even though it was eventually excluded.
“No one wanted me. I was always alone and scared. I never had clothes, and many times, I had nothing to eat. We just survived, and that’s it. The girls avoided me because I was very poorly dressed. I decided that girls weren’t that nice and tried my luck with the neighborhood boys. I became a tomboy: I played baseball, football, and learned to box”, the star recalled during an interview.
Her withdrawal from the industry was related to facing numerous personal challenges, including mental health issues and problems in her relationships. The constant pressure of fame and the demands of the entertainment industry contributed to her stress and emotional exhaustion.
Her personal life was subjected to constant scrutiny and, in some cases, damaging scandals and rumors. This had a negative impact on her public image and mental well-being, leading her to retire from acting to focus on her family life.
Fans compare Taylor Swift to Clara Bow
Fans have been comparing Taylor Swift to Clara Bow in terms of the scrutiny both have faced during their careers and personal lives. The singer’s love life has been the subject of significant media attention, especially her relationships and breakups, which have been the topic of numerous speculations and rumors.
As a public figure, Swift has also faced comments about her body image. Over the years, there have been discussions and speculations about her physical appearance, much like what happened to Bow. Both have been in the public eye for a long time, and this constant scrutiny has led both to take breaks from the industry due to ongoing criticism.
Soon, the music icon will release his new album on April 19, where he will pay tribute to the It Girl with his 16th track. Many of his fans have confirmed that he will reference his own experiences with those of Clara Bow in “The Tortured Poets Department“, where all’s fair in love and poetry…
