Taylor Swift seemed totally comfortable in the world of NYU academia, and that could be because she’s used to performing in venues the size of Yankee Stadium. Or, it could be because she’s always prioritized education, and has even dreamed of receiving her own honorary doctorate degree. In a “73 Questions With…” Vogue interview in 2016, Swift was asked about a goal she would still like to achieve in her lifetime. Without missing a beat, the “Mr. Perfectly Fine” singer replied that she was still hoping to become an (honorary) doctor. “I really want an honorary doctorate degree because Ed Sheeran has one, and I feel like he looks down on me now because I don’t have one,” she shared.
However, it’s possible that Swift was joking about her fellow singer-songwriter. Per Billboard, she and Sheeran have been good friends for a decade. From collaborating on Swift’s “Red” album in 2012, to supporting each other on tour, and even introducing us to “Sweeran,” these two might have one of the music industry’s strongest and most enduring friendships. “Me and Taylor first met and wrote + recorded our first song together in 2012, ten years ago now,” Sheeran tweeted in February. “Not only is she the best singer/songwriter in the world but she’s also a very close friend, I’m very lucky to have her in my life.” We imagine that Sheeran was quick to congratulate Swift on her honorary degree.