Sombr Shares How He Deals With Hate After Getting Advice From Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has taken sombr under her wing to help him navigate early fame.

In an interview with Elle published Tuesday (Sept. 22), the singer-songwriter recalled hearing about the Eras headliner mentioning him on the radio. “Just waking up to hearing she name-dropped me on the radio, I was like, ‘Huh, is this AI?’” he told the publication.

“One of the best pieces of advice the legend has given me …,” he said before the interviewer checked if he meant Swift.

“… the person I look up to most has given me,” sombr said. “The amazing pop star. Is that if these hate comments go away, maybe you’re not at your peak anymore. I think it’s a privilege to be receiving these and rise above it. Ever since she gave me that advice, it’s really changed my perspective and has helped.”

The 21-year-old hitmaker previously addressed criticism in October after a concert attendee posted a viral TikTok attacking his appearance and onstage demeanor. Sombr stated that the video started a massive body-shaming hate train directed toward him and added that people needed to find problematic individuals to target because he was simply existing.

The New York native later built a friendship with Swift. She shouted him out during her Songwriters Hall of Fame induction speech after he honored her at the event by performing “Dear John” and “Cardigan.”

“His writing is so exceptional that it makes me envious and I love that feeling,” the 14-time Grammy winner stated at the time. “Sombr is the future — he does it all on his own and he doesn’t need that AI. The kids will be fine!”

“It was really her night, and she wanted me, out of all the people she could have asked, to perform two songs to help induct her,” sombr said later on The Tonight Show. “I was like, ‘Taylor, what songs do you want me to sing? You know, this is your night.’ And she was like, ‘No. You choose.’”