Great commotion! Taylor Swift's father stumbles upon a case of alleged paparazzi attack in Australia
Taylor Swift's father, Scott Kingsley Swift
– Taylor Swift's father, Scott Swift, is being investigated by NSW Police for the attack on paparazzi near Neutral Bay Wharf on Tuesday 28 February morning local time.
Police confirmed an investigation had been launched after a 51-year-old man reported a 71-year-old man, Scott Swift, who had assaulted him at around 2.30am before leaving the scene. No one required medical assistance when the incident occurred.
Taylor Swift's father, Scott Kingsley Swift Photo : Variety
“A young person reported the incident and an investigation is currently underway by officers attached to the Northern Beaches Police Area Command,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.
Ben McDonald, CEO of Matrix Media Group, confirmed the news that he was the paparazzi involved in the alleged incident and that it involved Taylor Swift's father.
“I just went to work and caught up with Taylor. He got off the superyacht in Neutral Bay and walked onto the dock with an umbrella covering his head and several security guards around him. "The security forces rushed to bring us umbrellas," explained Ben McDonald.
“Then his father decided to add offense and add punches,” he continued.
When asked if there were any injuries at the time, McDonald said he was not seriously injured. There was only one other photographer with McDonald at the scene.
“Thank God... No need, the security forces have the situation under control. "I'm handing this over to the police now," he said.
In response, Swift's spokesperson alleged that two aggressive individuals advanced on Taylor, grabbed her security staff and threatened to throw a female staff member into the water.
McDonald said the spokesperson's reaction was completely fabricated and untrue.
“That's a complete lie,” he said.
“There is no other woman besides Taylor Swift. No aggressive behavior. Aggressive behavior is entirely their responsibility. "This is an effort to change the narrative," he said.
The pop star's father, known to his fans as 'Papa Swift', visited every Era Tour in Australia.
His constant acts of kindness towards fans became an iconic part of the tour.
After Swift's first performance in Melbourne, a fan openly shared the story of how Papa Swift unexpectedly gave access to the VIP area to a woman and her daughter who had previously purchased cheap and limited tickets.
Taylor Swift at the 2024 Grammy Awards Photo : people
He allegedly offered similar tickets to several other Swifties before the show. Some were even invited to watch part of the concert from an exclusive tent of family and friends, such as YouTubers Emily Hunt and Bonny Rebecca.
When watching shows with Papa Swift, he always gives each fan a handwritten letter from Swift herself.
“Then his father decided to add offense and add punches,” he continued.
Geger! Ayah Taylor Swift Tersandung Kasus Dugaan Penyerangan Paparazzi di Australia
Ayah Taylor Swift, Scott Kingsley Swift
– Ayah Taylor Swift, Scott Swift, sedang diselidiki oleh Polisi NSW atas serangan terhadap paparazzi di dekat Neutral Bay Wharf pada Selasa 28 Februari pagi waktu setempat.
Polisi memastikan penyelidikan telah dilakukan setelah seorang pria berusia 51 tahun melaporkan seorang pria berusia 71 tahun, Scott Swift, yang telah menyerangnya sekitar pukul 02.30 sebelum meninggalkan tempat kejadian. Tidak ada yang memerlukan bantuan medis ketika kejadian itu terjadi.
Ayah Taylor Swift, Scott Kingsley Swift Photo : Variety
“Seorang pemuda melaporkan kejadian tersebut dan penyelidikan saat ini sedang dilakukan oleh petugas yang ditugaskan di Komando Area Polisi Pantai Utara,” kata juru bicara Kepolisian NSW.
Ben McDonald, CEO Matrix Media Group, membenarkan berita ini bahwa dia adalah paparazzi yang terlibat dalam dugaan insiden tersebut dan melibatkan ayah Taylor Swift.
“Saya baru saja pergi bekerja dan mengejar Taylor. Dia turun dari kapal superyacht di Neutral Bay dan berjalan ke dermaga dengan payung menutupi kepalanya dan beberapa penjaga keamanan di sekelilingnya. Aparat keamanan bergegas membawakan kami payung,” terang Ben McDonald.
“Lalu ayahnya memutuskan untuk menambahkan serangan dan menambahkan pukulan,” lanjutnya.
Ketika ditanya mengenai apakah terdapat luka saat itu, McDonald mengatakan dia tidak terluka serius. Hanya ada satu fotografer lain bersama McDonald di tempat kejadian.
“Syukurlah… Tidak perlu, pihak keamanan sudah mengendalikan situasi. Saya serahkan ini pada polisi sekarang,”ungkapnya.
Sebagai tanggapan, juru bicara Swift menuduh bahwa dua orang yang agresif maju ke arah Taylor, menangkap staf keamanannya dan mengancam akan melemparkan seorang anggota staf wanita ke dalam air.
McDonald mengatakan bahwa reaksi juru bicara tersebut sepenuhnya dibuat-buat dan tidak benar.
“Itu benar-benar bohong,” katanya.
“Tidak ada wanita lain selain Taylor Swift. Tidak ada perilaku agresif. Perilaku agresif sepenuhnya menjadi tanggung jawab mereka. Ini adalah upaya untuk mengubah narasi,”ucapnya.
Ayah bintang pop, yang dikenal oleh penggemarnya sebagai 'Papa Swift', mengunjungi setiap Tur Era di Australia.
Tindakan kebaikannya yang selalu terjadi terhadap penggemar menjadi bagian ikonik dari tur tersebut.
Setelah penampilan pertama Swift di Melbourne, seorang penggemar secara terbuka berbagi cerita tentang bagaimana Papa Swift secara tak terduga memberikan akses ke area VIP kepada seorang wanita dan putrinya yang sebelumnya membeli tiket dengan harga murah dan terbatas.
Taylor Swift di Grammy Awards 2024 Photo : people
Dia diduga menawarkan tiket serupa ke beberapa Swifties lainnya sebelum pertunjukan. Bahkan ada yang diundang untuk menonton sebagian konser dari tenda eksklusif keluarga dan teman, seperti YouTuber Emily Hunt dan Bonny Rebecca.
Saat menonton acara bersama Papa Swift, dia selalu memberi penggemar masing-masing surat tulisan tangan dari Swift sendiri.
“Lalu ayahnya memutuskan untuk menambahkan serangan dan menambahkan pukulan,” lanjutnya.