The burgeoning relationship between pop star Taylor Swift and Conor Kennedy, grandson of Robert F. Kennedy and son of the late Mary Kennedy, has been grabbing headlines since the two were first linked in early July. Media coverage intensified when the pair allegedly crashed the wedding of Conor’s cousin Kyle Kennedy in Boston late last month. Now, he’s flown to meet her on tour — on Swift’s private jet, natch — and rumors are flying that the two are thinking of eloping (how better for the rebellious pair to further enrage the Kennedy family?)
Some say the freewheeling Swift, 22, is the perfect girl for Conor, 18, right now. Others say the savvy singer, who’s reportedly obsessed with Camelot, is taking advantage of a young man at a very vulnerable moment in his life. Here, two Post scribes weigh in on either side of the issue.
PHOTOS: TAYLOR SWIFT AND CONOR KENNEDY
She’s perfect for him vs. She’s an immature brat
Yes! Sara Stewart
Here’s what we know: Taylor Swift is a connoisseur of heartbreak. Heck, the she’s built a career out of it. And it’s made her one of the biggest pop stars on the planet. We also know that Conor Kennedy has had a heartbreaking year, as his mom Mary Kennedy committed suicide in May.
So who better for him to date than the sympathetic blonde songstress of tunes such as “Best Day,” an ode to loving your mom? They’re both used to being in the public eye, Swift since becoming the youngest person with a number one song on the country charts; Kennedy, thanks to his name, since he was born. They’ve got a lot in common.
No! Christina Amoroso
Sweet, country-crooning heroine Taylor Swift may be 22, but she acts like a lovesick 15-year-old doodling hearts with “Mrs. Conor Kennedy” scrawled in them all over her notebook.
As soon as her relationships go south, her singles head north on the pop charts, thanks to thinly-veiled jabs at her exes — and the women who go on to date them.
Are we supposed to feel sorry for this baby-faced multi-millionaire who has nothing to sing about but what jerks her boyfriends are? You stay classy, Taylor — and here’s a newsflash: Just because it doesn’t work out with a guy doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a complete schmuck.
She’s good for the Kennedys vs. The Kennedys will ruin her
Yes! Sara Stewart
Swift draws on her own experiences for subject matter, and her songs often revolve around breakups. She’s developed a reputation for throwing bad boys under the bus, and has penned hits about several high-profile exes, including Joe Jonas, Taylor Lautner, Cory Monteith and John Mayer.
It stands to reason that any Swift paramour would be wise to be on his best behavior. But she’s not just dating Conor — she’s dating an entire clan, as evidenced by the media furor over even the idea of Swift taking up residence near the compound, and her being raked over the coals for showing up without an adequate RSVP at the Kyle Kennedy wedding last month. Maybe the Kennedys will decide they all have to watch themselves, not a bad thing for a family not always known for its exemplary behavior.
No! Christina Amoroso
Kennedy matriarch Ethel may be singing Swift’s praises now (“We should be so lucky,” she told reporters last month when asked about Swift becoming a Kennedy someday), but let’s see how comfortable she — and the rest of the clan — feels after the relationship goes belly-up, fanning the flames for the lyrics to Swift’s next pop hit.
And then there are the oft-reckless Kennedy men, who don’t necessarily have a sterling track record with women: JFK was a womanizer, Ted drunkenly drove Mary Jo Kopechne off a bridge in Chappaquiddick, Michael Kennedy slept with his babysitter, who was possibly underage, and William Kennedy Smith was tried for rape.
I could go on, but I’ll leave it at this: Swift should be careful — her good-girl rep is as stable as a boozed-up Kennedy.
She’s an independent woman vs. She’s a Kennedy stalker
Yes! Sara Stewart
Let’s think about the female role models Conor Kennedy has within his own family. With the exception of Jackie, Kennedy women are not famous for striking out on their own or — morbid but true, except for geriatric Ethel — even surviving the experience.
But Swift hardly fits the mold of a typical Kennedy love interest. First, being worth $80 million, she doesn’t need to marry into money. She’s not interested in being arm candy — she’s the superstar in thisrelationship. And she got there by writing songs about being an independent woman.
It’s Swift who’s holding the reins in this situation. One can only imagine this is raising more than a few eyebrows within the old-guard Kennedy family. Kind of fun to think about, eh?
No! Christina Amoroso
Kennedy may well be Swift’s sloppy seconds. On July 4, fireworks seemed to have erupted between Swift and Maria Shriver’s son, Patrick Schwarzenegger, as they strolled along the shores of Hyannis Port.
Swift’s obsession with Camelot is well documented. She was one of Rory Kennedy’s guests at the Sundance screening of “Ethel,” a documentary about the Kennedy matriarch in January. See what she did there? First, she charms grandma; meets Patrick; goes in for the kill on Conor.
At a tender age, Swift’s already managed to bank millions and shown incredible business savvy. Having a Kennedy surname — the American equivalent of the House of Windsor — is the only prize left for a low-born girl.
She’s just being a kid vs. She’s out of control
Yes! Sara Stewart
OK, she just sent her private jet to pick up her boyfriend to visit her on tour. And perhaps she is thinking about buying a multimillion-dollar house next to the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port (the rumors of this didn’t pan out, but she did tell Rolling Stone that the idea was “so amazing”). She and Kennedy have only been dating for a few months, and all of this does seem a little excessive.
But think back to being 22 and what we might have done with access to $80 million. Swoony romantic gestures might have been a little grander if we could have afforded it, no? Let the young and stupid-rich be young and stupid. They’ll have plenty of time to write bitter songs about it — or date more suitable, family-approved arm candy. It’s still summer for Swift and Kennedy. Let them enjoy it.
No! Christina Amoroso
So, reports surfaced that Swift may have bought a $4.9 million home right near the Kennedy compound. That’s nice! Now imagine the scenario that would play out if you told your boyfriend, “I just bought the apartment next door to you! Now we can be together ALL THE TIME and make dinner and watch movies and cuddle and it will be SO MUCH FUN!” (Don’t forget the crazy eyes.) He would go running for the hills faster than you could sing, “It’s a love story. Baby, just say yes.”
Then came the news last week that Swift sent a jet for Conor because she reportedly missed him so much. Oh, honey. Haven’t you ever read “The Rules”? Don’t ever pursue a man you’re interested in. Period. Pretty sure sending a plane for your fella runs contrary to this nugget of advice.