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Reid Arthur "cannot calm down" after his idol expressed support for his coming out at George Fox University, a Christian school.
A student won many hearts after he came out to his Christian college via a choreographed Taylor Swift lip-synch -- including Swift herself.
Before taking home six trophies at the American Music Awards this weekend, the "Shake It Off" singer took to Twitter to praise Reid Arthur. The young man declared his gay identity earlier this month to George Fox University onstage during a dance to the Swift hits "You Need to Calm Down" and "...Ready for It," which included a reveal of a white shirt with a rainbow fringe.
"This just made me SO emotional. @reidoburrito95 I can't tell you how honored I am that my song has been even a small part in your journey," Swift tweeted Friday, along with 13 handclap emojis. "You did the brave thing and stood up for your truth."
Arthur, a devoted Swift fan, was overjoyed by the singer's response to his performance. He replied with a tweet of his own that expressed his gratitude for the role Swift's music played in his life.
"This woman. My Queen. My Icon. The woman who's lyrics I have screamed at the top of my lungs. Who's songs have walked me through the hardest time of my life. TAYLOR ALISON SWIFT. MOTHER OF MEREDITH, OLIVIA, AND BENJAMIN, KNOWS MY NAME. TWEETED ME. I CANNOT CALM DOWN!!!!!" he declared.
\u201cThis woman. My Queen. My Icon. The woman who's lyrics I have screamed at the top of my lungs. Who's songs have walked me through the hardest time of my life. TAYLOR ALISON SWIFT. MOTHER OF MEREDITH, OLIVIA, AND BENJAMIN, KNOWS MY NAME. TWEETED ME. I CANNOT CALM DOWN!!!!!\u201d— Reid Arthur (\ud835\ude4f\ud835\ude56\ud835\ude6e\ud835\ude61\ud835\ude64\ud835\ude67'\ud835\ude68 \ud835\ude51\ud835\ude5a\ud835\ude67\ud835\ude68\ud835\ude5e\ud835\ude64\ud835\ude63) (@Reid Arthur (\ud835\ude4f\ud835\ude56\ud835\ude6e\ud835\ude61\ud835\ude64\ud835\ude67'\ud835\ude68 \ud835\ude51\ud835\ude5a\ud835\ude67\ud835\ude68\ud835\ude5e\ud835\ude64\ud835\ude63)) 1574490930
For the uninitiated, Meredith, Olivia, and Benjamin are the names of Swift's cats.
A YouTube video of Arthur's lip-synch has garnered over 30,000 views since its posting November 17. In it, Arthur, in a sparkling jacket, performs to Swift's hits with the support of several female backup dancers. The rainbow reveal during "You Need to Calm Down" -- a Pride anthem released earlier this year -- sparked cheers and applause from the audience at the Oregon school.
Allie Schluchter, one of Arthur's friends and a dancer onstage, tweeted her love to her friend after the performance.
"Tonight I helped one of my favorite people come out, and the love and joy that surrounded this moment is going to stick with me for the rest of my life. I'm so proud of you @reidoburrito95."
Watch the video below.
