In the summer of 2019, a single tweet from Kelly Clarkson set off a chain of events that would reshape the music industry and cement Taylor Swift’s legacy as one of the most savvy artists of her generation. When Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings acquired the masters of Swift’s first six albums through a controversial $300 million sale of Big Machine Label Group, Swift publicly expressed her devastation, alleging years of “manipulative bullying” and a lack of opportunity to purchase her own work. Amid this high-profile dispute, Clarkson, the American Idol alum and host of The Kelly Clarkson Show, offered a bold suggestion on Twitter: Swift should re-record her albums, rebrand them with new art and incentives, and reclaim ownership. Swift not only took the advice but transformed it into a cultural and commercial juggernaut with her “Taylor’s Version” re-recordings, breaking sales records and redefining artist autonomy. Adding a heartfelt layer to this saga, Swift has thanked Clarkson with flowers and a cozy cardigan after each re-release, a gesture that underscores their mutual respect and the power of women supporting women in a competitive industry. This story of ingenuity, gratitude, and triumph continues to captivate fans and inspire artists worldwide.

The Controversial Masters Sale

In June 2019, the music world was rocked when Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Label Group, Swift’s former label, for a reported $300 million. The deal gave Braun control over the master recordings of Swift’s first six albums: Taylor Swift (2006), Fearless (2008), Speak Now (2010), Red (2012), 1989 (2014), and Reputation (2017). Swift, then 29, took to Tumblr to voice her anguish, writing, “All I could think about was the incessant, manipulative bullying I’ve received at [Braun’s] hands for years.” She claimed she was never given a chance to buy her masters, describing the sale as her “worst case scenario.” The acquisition meant Braun and his associates would profit whenever Swift’s songs were licensed for films, TV, or streaming, a situation she found intolerable.

The public response was polarized. Swift’s fans, known as Swifties, rallied behind her, while some industry figures dismissed her reaction as overdramatic. Amid this firestorm, Kelly Clarkson, a fellow artist who had faced her own battles with record labels, entered the conversation with a tweet that would prove prophetic. On July 13, 2019, she wrote, “@taylorswift13 just a thought, U should go in & re-record all the songs that U don’t own the masters on exactly how U did them but put brand new art & some kind of incentive so fans will no longer buy the old versions. I’d buy all of the new versions just to prove a point 💁🏼‍♀️.” The tweet, posted casually from Clarkson’s account, was a bold call to action, rooted in her admiration for Swift and her belief that artists should control their work.

Swift’s Re-Recording Revolution

Less than a month later, in August 2019, Swift announced on CBS Sunday Morning that she would indeed re-record her first six albums to regain ownership of her music. The plan was ambitious: she would recreate her catalog note-for-note, add new artwork and bonus tracks (dubbed “From the Vault” songs), and release them as “Taylor’s Version” editions to encourage fans to support the new versions over the originals. The move was unprecedented in its scale and audacity, but Swift’s determination to reclaim her legacy resonated with fans and fellow artists alike.

The first re-release, Fearless (Taylor’s Version), dropped in April 2021, followed by Red (Taylor’s Version) in November 2021, Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) in July 2023, and 1989 (Taylor’s Version) in October 2023. Each album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, with 1989 (Taylor’s Version) earning 1.653 million equivalent album units in its debut week—the biggest sales week of Swift’s career and the largest since Adele’s 25 in 2015. The re-recordings also featured vault tracks, such as “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version),” which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Swift’s 11th chart-topping single. As of July 2025, Swift has yet to release Reputation (Taylor’s Version) and Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version), but anticipation remains high.

The success of the “Taylor’s Version” project extends beyond numbers. By re-recording her albums, Swift not only regained creative and financial control but also set a precedent for artist empowerment. Her fans embraced the new versions, streaming and purchasing them in droves, effectively diminishing the value of the original masters held by Braun (later sold to Shamrock Holdings in 2020). The project also included exclusive merchandise, like the light blue cardigan tied to 1989 (Taylor’s Version), which became a fan favorite. Swift’s strategic inclusion of vault tracks and collaborations with artists like Fall Out Boy and Phoebe Bridgers added fresh appeal, ensuring the re-recordings weren’t just nostalgic but culturally significant.

Kelly Clarkson’s Role and Swift’s Gratitude

While Clarkson humbly insists Swift would have devised the re-recording plan independently, her tweet undeniably sparked a pivotal moment. In a 2023 interview with E! News, Clarkson revealed that Swift sends her flowers and a gift after each “Taylor’s Version” release as a thank-you for the suggestion. “You know what’s so funny? She just sent me flowers,” Clarkson said, referencing 1989 (Taylor’s Version). “She’s so nice. She did. She was like, ‘Every time I release something’—’cause she just did 1989. I got that really cute cardigan, too.” The cardigan, a nod to Swift’s Folklore era but tied to 1989’s merchandise, was a personal touch that delighted Clarkson and fans alike.

Swift’s gestures of gratitude highlight a rare camaraderie in an industry often marked by competition, especially among female artists. Clarkson, a three-time Grammy winner, has long championed other musicians, and her support for Swift was rooted in empathy. “It just sucks when you see artists that you admire and you respect really wanting something and it’s special to them,” she told E! News. “You know if they’re going to find a loophole, you find a loophole. And she did it.” Swift, in turn, acknowledged Clarkson’s influence in a 2023 TIME interview, recalling, “I’d run into Kelly Clarkson and she would go, ‘Just redo it.’ My dad kept saying it to me too. I’d look at them and go, ‘How can I possibly do that?’” Yet Swift did, proving her resilience and business acumen.

The flowers and cardigan are more than tokens; they symbolize a bond between two artists who have navigated the music industry’s challenges. Clarkson, who has spoken about her own struggles with label control early in her career, understood Swift’s plight. Her suggestion wasn’t just a practical solution but a public show of solidarity, amplified by her platform as a beloved singer and talk show host. Swift’s ongoing gestures—flowers for Fearless, Red, Speak Now, and 1989—reflect her appreciation for Clarkson’s role in inspiring a career-defining move.

A Broader Impact on the Music Industry

Swift’s re-recording project has had far-reaching implications. It has inspired other artists to consider similar strategies to regain control of their work, with Clarkson herself musing about re-recording some of her early songs—not to own the masters but to improve them vocally with her matured voice. “Some things I do want to kind of re-record because I think I’m better with age, vocally,” she told People in 2023. The project also sparked discussions about the ethics of master ownership, with artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish reportedly securing better deals to retain control of their catalogs from the outset.

For fans, the “Taylor’s Version” releases have been a rallying cry. Swifties have streamed the re-recordings en masse, with 1989 (Taylor’s Version) selling 3.5 million units worldwide in its first week, according to Republic Records. Clarkson praised this fanbase loyalty, noting, “It’s so cool to see a fanbase really get behind her in that too because it’s important. She’s known for being such an incredible songwriter and the soundtrack to a lot of people’s lives.” The re-recordings have also allowed Swift to recontextualize her work, with vault tracks offering new insights into her creative process and personal growth.

Challenges and Controversies

Swift’s re-recording journey hasn’t been without criticism. Some accused her of exploiting fans with “money-grabbing” tactics by releasing multiple editions of her albums, though Swifties largely dismissed these claims, viewing the re-recordings as a triumph of artistic control. Clarkson also faced backlash when she commented on Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce in 2023, joking that NFL broadcasts felt like Real Housewives due to the focus on their romance. Swifties misinterpreted her remarks as criticism, prompting Clarkson to clarify on Instagram, “I am pro romance. Yay romance. Did y’all even watch what I actually said on my show?” Her swift response quelled the controversy, reinforcing her genuine support for Swift.

A Legacy of Empowerment and Kindness

As Swift prepares to release Reputation (Taylor’s Version) and Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version), her re-recording saga remains a testament to resilience and ingenuity. Clarkson’s role, though she downplays it, was a catalyst, proving that a single idea can spark monumental change. The flowers and cardigan Swift sends after each release are more than gestures—they’re symbols of gratitude, mutual respect, and the power of collaboration over competition. As Clarkson told E! News, “I love how kind she is. She’s a very smart businesswoman.” Swift’s success, in turn, has amplified Clarkson’s influence, showing how one artist’s support can ripple across an industry.

This story resonates because it’s about more than music—it’s about reclaiming agency, supporting peers, and turning adversity into triumph. Swift’s “Taylor’s Version” albums have not only shattered records but also inspired a generation of artists to fight for their creative control. And with every bouquet of flowers delivered to Clarkson’s doorstep, Swift ensures that the world remembers the woman who helped light the spark.