Shake it off, T. Swift! Billy Joel recently defended Taylor Swift's love for New York City during an interview with USA Today. Apparently, a lot of city residents turned their noses when NYC & Company, the city's marketing and tourism organization, officially made Swift NYC's tourism ambassador late last month. It didn't help matters that Swift recently released the catchy tune "Welcome to New York" off her fifth studio album 1989.
"You snoots. Let her in," Joel, 65, said to USA Today. "That's what New York is all about. I say, 'Welcome.'"
The "New York State of Mind" singer, a Long Island native and lifelong New Yorker, added: "I think she's a talented songwriter. She catches a lot of junk, maybe because she's so popular with young girls. But I like what she's projecting. I respect what she's doing."
Swift, 24, relocated from Nashville to her luxe Tribeca home in NYC this past March and has been spotted on several occasions hanging with her model BFFs (Karlie Kloss!), leaving the gym in retro-inspired ensembles, and wearing her trademark red lipstick.
Swift's cat Olivia Benson has also enjoyed her time in NYC, which Swift calls the "kaleidoscope of loud heartbeats." Back in September, a picture of the singer carrying her feline around town went viral.
