Taylor Swift Rep Speaks Out About Alleged Altercation Between Dad Scott and Photographer
Photography
Chicago bulls michael jordan trophy hi-res stock photography and images – Alamy
Taylor Swift’s Dad Accused Of Assaulting Australian Photographer
LOADINGERROR LOADING
Taylor Swift’s dad, Scott Swift, is being accused of assaulting an Australian photographer early Tuesday morning in Sydney.
“Police have been told a 71-year-old man allegedly assaulted a 51-year-old man at Neutral Bay Wharf about 2.30am before leaving the location,” a NSW Police spokesperson confirmed to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Advertisement
Ben McDonald, the alleged victim, did not require medical treatment.
According to the Daily Mail, the singer and her father, who is known as “Papa Swift” to her fans, had been partying after her final show aboard a super yacht called Quantum.
After the ship docked, Scott Swift allegedly saw McDonald taking pics and “charged” at him.
McDonald told the Daily Mail that he thought the aggressor was a security guard and was very surprised to discover it was the pop star’s dad.
In 23 years I have never seen anything like it,” McDonald told the paper.
Although McDonald said he doesn’t know why Swift went after him, he said the singer’s dad “probably decided he needed to defend his daughter, for some reason.”
He said Taylor Swift got off the boat and was walking toward security guards, “who were shoving umbrellas in our faces.”
Advertisement
McDonald said that that was when Scott Swift “charged” him. He told the Daily Mail he was left with “very sore chops” on the left side of his face.
According to a 2005 People article, Nicole Kidman was granted a restraining order against McDonald and another photographer, saying their presence had made her a “virtual prisoner” in her home.
According to Page Six, photos taken around the time of the alleged assault show Swift and her dad walking off the dock with a black umbrella that covered the singer from the waist up.
A Taylor Swift spokesperson told HuffPost that “two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor, grabbing at her security personnel, and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water.”
Scott Swift has been quite visible during the Australian leg of his daughter’s Eras tour.
During Friday’s show, he was seen handing out sandwiches to fans, and at Saturday’s show he posed for a selfie with Rebel Wilson.
Advertisement
Taylor Swift’s dad Scott accused of punching photographer in Sydney, police investigating assault charges
Aditi Srivastava
Feb 27, 2024 07:42 AM IST
Investigation initiated after Scott Swift allegedly assaults paparazzi following Taylor Swift’s Sydney concert
The excitement of Taylor Swift’s successful Sydney concert was marred by troubling news involving her father, Scott Swift. Reports have surfaced, alleging that Scott got into a physical altercation with an Australian paparazzi photographer after the show. The incident, which unfolded on the bustling streets of Sydney, has led authorities to initiate an investigation into potential assault charges. Here’s what happened.
Taylor Swift’s dad Scott Swift faces assault charges in Sydney
Also read: Selena Gomez says boyfriend Benny Blanco embarrassed her in front of How I Met Your Mother star
Hindustan Times – your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.
Taylor Swift concluded her Sydney leg of the Era’s tour before heading to Singapore for her next performance. Following the successful wrap-up of the show, Taylor and her father were seen celebrating. However, the NSW Police Force confirmed to Page Six on Monday that they had initiated an investigation after Scott allegedly assaulted 51-year-old Ben McDonald at a ferry wharf in Sydney’s North Shore.
Scott Swift accused of punching a photographer
The incident occurred at 2:30 am on Tuesday morning. According to the Australian photographer involved, Taylor and Scott were seen partying late into the night. The photographer alleges that Scott “charged” at him after both father-daughter duo stepped off their luxury superyacht that evening.
“She got off the boat, she walked towards security guards who were shoving umbrellas in our faces, and then he charged,” MC Donald told Daily Mail. “He probably decided he needed to defend his daughter, for some reason,” he added.
McDonald alleges that Scott struck him on the left side of the face, causing “very sore chops.” He maintains that he didn’t provoke Scott in any manner. The police stated that McDonald, aged 51, did not require medical assistance. It’s been reported that Swift, along with her team and father, celebrated the end of the Australian leg of the Eras Tour on the Harbour. After Tuesday’s gig, they took the luxurious superyacht Quantum from the Homebush concert venue to the harbour.
Taylor Swift was spotted leaving covered in an umbrella
A rep of the Cruel Summer singer told the outlet that, “two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor, grabbing at her security personnel, and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water.”Pictures captured from the dock depict the 14-time Grammy winner walking under a black umbrella, accompanied by someone by her side, before eventually being approached by the awaiting paparazzi.
Get more updates from Bollywood, Hollywood, Musicand Web Seriesalong with Latest Entertainment Newsat Hindustan Times.
Share this article
Taylor Swift’s father Scott Swift accused of assaulting photographer
Police investigate allegation Taylor Swift’s father hit paparazzi photographer after Sydney Eras concert
New South Wales police are investigating allegations Taylor Swift’s father assaulted a member of the paparazzi in Sydney, hours after the sold-out Eras Tour wrapped up in Australia.
NSW police have been told that Scott Swift, 71, allegedly assaulted photographer Ben McDonald, 51, at the Neutral Bay wharf around 2.30am on Tuesday.
McDonald told Guardian Australia that Taylor Swift and her entourage were cruising the harbour on a superyacht late at night after completing her final Australian show.
The superstar got off the boat and walked down the wharf, surrounded by security, who McDonald alleges pushed umbrellas into his face and camera.
Once she was in her car, McDonald alleges a man struck him in the face before also getting in the car and driving away.
“I didn’t realise it was her dad at the time,” McDonald said. “It was a bit of a shock but I’ll leave the police to do their job.”
McDonald said he used images he had taken to identify the man as Scott Swift.
He made the allegation to police and inquiries were under way by officers at the North Shore police area command. Police said McDonald did not require medical attention.
No charges have been laid.
A Taylor Swift spokesperson did not respond directly to questions about the allegation against Swift’s father but claimed that two unidentified individuals were “aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor, grabbing at her security personnel, and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water”.
Taylor Swift wrapped up the Australian leg of her Eras Tour in Sydney on Monday night.
She performed to her largest crowd ever at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 16 February, performing two more times in Melbourne and wowing audiences at four shows at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
An estimated 600,000 people watched her perform over the last two weekends in Australia.
Taylor Swift’s father accused of assaulting photographer in Australia
Police in the state of New South Wales say they are investigating the alleged incident.
Pop icon Taylor Swift’s father has been accused of assaulting a paparazzi photographer in Australia.
Ben McDonald, a Sydney paparazzo, told Australia’s national broadcaster that he had filed a police report accusing Scott Swift of punching him in the face.
“In 23 years of doing this I’ve never been assaulted, let alone been punched in the face by a father,” the ABC quoted McDonald as saying.
Police in the state of New South Wales said in a statement they were investigating an alleged assault by an unnamed 71-year-old man in the North Shore area of Sydney.
“Police have been told a 71-year-old man allegedly assaulted a 51-year-old man at Neutral Bay Wharf about 2.30am (Tuesday 27 February 2024), before leaving the location,” NSW Police said in a statement.
“The younger man reported the incident and inquiries are now underway by officers attached to North Shore Police Area Command.”
Swift, one of the most successful music artists of all time with 14 Grammy wins and hundreds of millions of album sales worldwide, wrapped up the Australian leg of her worldwide tour on Monday with a show in front of 81,000 fans at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
Swift will perform in Singapore on Friday in the first of six shows in the Southeast Asian city-state.
Taylor Swift’s Father Under Investigation for Assaulting Photographer in Australia
Australian police are investigating Taylor Swift’s father, Scott Swift following an accusation that he assaulted a photographer, while the pop star’s reps say that the man acted “aggressively” and threatened to “throw a female staffer in the water.”
NSW police confirmed to the Sydney Morning Herald that a 51-year-old man reported a 71-year-old man assaulted him at about 2:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday (7:30 a.m. Pacific on Monday) and that “inquires are now underway.”
Ben McDonald, chief executive of Matrix Media Group, told the Herald, “I was just out on the job chasing Taylor. She got off a super-yacht at Neutral Bay and walked up the wharf with an umbrella over her head and a couple of security [guards] around her. Security sort of pushed us around with the umbrellas.”
He added, that Swift’s father, who is 71, “decided to add to the mix and throw a punch in.” He said that the alleged punch to his left cheek was “a shock” because “security had [the situation] under control.”
According to a Swift spokersperson, “Two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor, grabbing at her security personnel, and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water.”
Swift’s father, who’s been nicknamed “Papa Swift” by the pop singer’s fans, has been in Australia in support of the pop singer’s Eras Tour. Monday night, she performed the last of her four sold-out shows at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
In a video shared by MuchMusic to X on Saturday, Swift gushed that Australian fans made her “feel at home,” News.com.au reported.
“My band, the dancers, you make us feel like we’re at home here, you really do. It’s very rare,” Swift said.
She also told the crowd, “We have had the most wonderful time, I’ve got to tell you that. You are here in one of the most exciting cities in the world, and you chose to hang out with us. Thanks guys!”
The multi-Grammy winner also played three shows at Melbourne’s Cricket Ground.
TheWrap has reached out to Swift’s reps for comment.
Taylor Swift’s dad ‘punched me in the chops’, Australian photographer claims
An Australian photographer said he was punched by Taylor Swift’s father on a wharf on Sydney Harbour early on Tuesday morning after her final concert in the city, prompting a police investigation.
Police said they were investigating an alleged assault involving a 71-year-old man and another man on Neutral Bay wharf at about 2.30am on Tuesday. Police did not name Swift’s father, Scott, who is 71 years of age.
I didn’t know who he was, but I looked at photos and saw him holding hands with Taylor
Local media reported that the complainant was an Australian photographer who was waiting for Taylor Swift and her father as they arrived at the Neutral Bay wharf following a late-night cruise on Sydney Harbour.
Taylor Swift was with her father at the time, but had entered a car when the alleged assault occurred, according to state broadcaster ABC.
A spokesperson for Taylor Swift told Rolling Stone two people were acting “aggressively” towards Swift and her entourage when the incident occurred.
‘Swift effect’ hits Singapore with hotels, flights booked out
‘Swift effect’ hits Singapore with hotels, flights booked out
“Two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor, grabbing at her security personnel, and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
The photographer, Ben McDonald, said Swift’s entourage used umbrellas to try and prevent him taking photographs and in the alleged altercation Swift’s father became involved.
McDonald said he had been photographing the US pop icon on a “super yacht” in Sydney Harbour after the last of her four gigs in the city.
He alleges that Swift’s security put an umbrella in his face to prevent him from taking photographs of the singer, who was walking down the jetty to a waiting vehicle.
03:30
Chinese fans turn cinema into celebration watching Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour film
Chinese fans turn cinema into celebration watching Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour film
After Swift departed, McDonald claimed a man confronted him and “he punched me in the chops”.
“I didn’t know who he was, but I looked at photos and saw him holding hands with Taylor, and it was her dad.”
“It was a shock. That’s never happened to me in 26 years,” he said.
Australian police do not usually publicly identify people accused or alleging crimes.
Taylor Swift is currently in the midst of her worldwide blockbuster Eras Tour.
She heads to Singapore this week for the next leg of what is expected to be the highest-grossing musical tour of all time at over US$1 billion, according to Pollstar.
Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse
Powerful rhino portrait among Sony World Photography Awards finalists
The finalists and shortlisted photographers for the Sony World Photography Awards 2024 have been chosen.
Over 395,000 images from more than 220 countries and territories were submitted into the competition, leaving judges with the gruelling task of picking their favourite photographers. Here, we showcase some of the best shots from the Wildlife and Nature finalists and shortlisted entrants.
Finalists and shortlisted photographers
Lukas Zeman
Lukas Zeman
Massimo Giorgetta
Jasper Doest
Haider Khan
Haider Khan
Kathryn Cooper
Kathryn Cooper
Steven Begleiter
About Sony World Photography Awards
Produced by the World Photography Organisation, the internationally acclaimed Sony World Photography Awards is one of the most important fixtures in the global photographic calendar. Now in its 17th year, the free-to-enter Awards are a global voice for photography and provide a vital insight into contemporary photography today.
