- Security Guard Fired After Viral Taylor Swift Sing-Along
- Dismissal Over Fan Photo Requests
- Guard’s Explanation and No Ill Will
Calvin Denker told his TikTok followers that he applied for a job as a security officer to work at concerts and sporting events, with Taylor Swift’s concerts serving as his “goal.” He was “amazed” by her first performance and wanted to document it, but his employer was not pleased.
A security officer who went viral after singing along at a Taylor Swift event alleges he was fired.
In late June, Taylor Swift’s Minneapolis concert film showed Calvin Denker singing “Cruel Summer.”
However, he has since informed followers on TikTok that he was subsequently dismissed by his employer, BEST.
While the company had no issue with his singing, the fact that he had asked audience members to send him any photos or video of him in front of the vocalist while she was performing upset his superiors.
“Long story short, I was fired for it,” Mr. Denker said in a video posted to social media and addressed his followers. “My former security company informed me that it was against their policy to allow photographs with any of their performers…
“Every photograph of me from that night was taken from behind the barricade, as would be expected from an admirer. I never brought out my phone. And above all else, I ensured Taylor Swift’s safety and the enjoyment of her admirers.”
He concluded his message by requesting that followers refrain from “sending any hate to this company… I still got to work one of the coolest concerts of all time… so that’s great.” And I harbor no ill will towards my employer.”
After his viral video went viral, Mr. Denker explained why he wanted the position and how he requested fan photographs.
It appears his previous employer discovered this and realized he had violated their policies.
I was not permitted to turn my back.
“Five years ago, I took my then-girlfriend, who is now my wife, to [Swift’s last tour] Reputation. She wasn’t the greatest Taylor Swift fan at the time, so I had to drag her along.
“However, that night I was able to speak with several security officers and learn about the positions they can hold and how they gain access to many concerts and sporting events in Minneapolis. And I thought that sounded so clever.”
Mr. Denker stated that Swift’s engagements were always the “goal” of his work, adding, “When she announced her Eras tour, I was ecstatic and signed up as soon as possible.”
He was “amazed” by the first Swift concert in Minneapolis because “the fans were so loud and Taylor was incredible.”
Mr. Denker, however, explained: “I was not permitted to turn my back to the crowd and truly observe Taylor perform… After the first night, I realized how near Taylor Swift was getting to me, so I wanted to get a photo to commemorate this”.
I distributed these little slips of paper that stated I wasn’t permitted to have my phone out. But if Taylor Swift came up behind me, please take a picture of me and transmit it to my number.
“I gave this to a few people in the front row on the second night, and they were extremely kind and sweet about it.”
