The enduring seventeen-year bond between Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift has long been the subject of intense fascination for “Swifties” and pop culture enthusiasts alike. However, the Only Murders in the Building star has now officially confirmed that she is more than just a confidante; she is a primary muse for the fourteen-time Grammy winner.
Appearing on the Friends Keep Secrets podcast alongside her husband, Benny Blanco, Gomez addressed long-standing fan theories regarding the lyrical inspirations behind Swift’s celebrated 2020 album, Evermore.
The ‘Dorothea’ Connection and the Vaulted Track
For years, listeners have dissected the lyrics of “Dorothea”, noting striking parallels to Gomez’s meteoric rise from a child star to a global beauty mogul and acclaimed actress. Swift’s lyrics describe a friend who found fame “selling dreams, selling makeup and magazines”—a clear nod to the founder of Rare Beauty.
“Well, ‘Dorothea’ is about me,” Gomez stated unequivocally, finally validating years of digital sleuthing. More tantalisingly, she revealed the existence of an unreleased “vault” track titled “Family”, which chronicles the duo’s early aspirations before they became the titans of industry they are today.
“There’s this song Taylor wrote about us called ‘Family.’ It was basically saying, ‘You have these amazing dreams, you want to be in movies… in every crowd I still see you.’ And her part was, ‘You believe in my stupid dreams, like playing stadiums.’ Now when I listen to it, both of those things have actually happened.”
A Comparative Look at the Tracks
| Song Title | Album / Status | Key Lyric / Theme | Muse Context |
| “Dorothea” | Evermore (2020) | “A tiny screen’s the only place I see you now.” | Reflects on Selena’s fame and their distance. |
| “Family” | Unreleased (The Vault) | “You believe in my stupid dreams, like playing stadiums.” | Early career aspirations and mutual support. |
| “Seven” | Folklore (2020) | “Passed down like folk songs, our love lasts so long.” | Often associated with childhood/long-term bonds. |
Surviving the Limelight Together
Reflecting on their journey, which began when Gomez was just fifteen and Swift eighteen, the Wizards of Waverly Place alumna noted that they have navigated every “self-defining” moment in tandem. From the pressures of high-profile relationships to the scrutiny of the tabloid press, their friendship has remained a constant.
Gomez also touched upon the artistic depth of their relationship, mentioning a bespoke painting Swift created for her thirtieth birthday—a lake scene illuminated by their respective zodiac signs. Her husband, Benny Blanco, admitted he initially mistook the piece for the work of a professional gallery artist.
Ultimately, Gomez views their shared history with a sense of quiet triumph. Looking at the height of their current success compared to their teenage dreams, she remarked: “It’s more so, like, ‘Wow, we survived it—as best we could.’”