WEBVTT

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(calm music)

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- [Narrator] Taylor Swift
gave the commencement address

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and was awarded an
honorary doctorate degree

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at New York University's
spring graduation.

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The 32-year-old superstar
began her speech simply enough.

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- Hi, I'm Taylor.

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(crowd cheers)

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- [Narrator] Swift, who
regularly tours the world,

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performing to crowds of
thousands, later quipped,

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- Last time I was in a stadium this size,

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I was dancing in heels and
wearing a glittery leotard.

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(crowd cheers)

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This outfit is much more comfortable.

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- [Narrator] The ceremony
took place at Yankee Stadium

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and was NYU's first in-person ceremony

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since the COVID 19 pandemic began.

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Swift congratulated the graduates

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for completing their
education in a pandemic.

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- But I really can't complain

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about not having a normal
college experience to you,

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because you went to NYU
during a global pandemic,

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being essentially locked into your dorms,

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and having to do classes over Zoom.

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- [Narrator] Swift talked
about the pressures

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the graduates face to be perfect
through her own experiences

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and offered some advice on perseverance.

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- And as long as we are
fortunate enough to be breathing,

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we will breathe in, breathe through,

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breathe deep, breathe out.

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And I am a doctor now,

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so I know how breathing works.

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- [Narrator] The singer concluded

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her 23-minute-long
commencement speech, saying,

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- I hope you know

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how proud I am to share this day with you.

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We're doing this together,

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so let's just keep dancing
like we're the class of '22.

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(crowd cheers)

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(upbeat music)