As many people are struggling financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will likely be waiting on government stimulus checks until April 6 at the earliest, some celebrities are stepping in to send money directly to their fans in need.
In the past week, pop star Taylor Swift has sent $3,000 directly to multiple fans who posted their worries about not being able to pay their bills on social media, the Hill reports.
Two of the recipients, Samantha Jacobson and Holly Turner, posted screenshots of the payments online.
SHE CALLED ME BUDDY THE FIRST TIME WE MET TOO I AM HAVING AN ABSOLUTE BREAK DOWN pic.twitter.com/pyVKWHruEk
— samantha (@manthapaige13) March 25, 2020
i made a post on tumblr about how i was scared i wouldn't be able to stay living in NYC because of what corona has done to the music industry. @taylorswift13 literally single-handedly saved my ability to stay here. i cannot even believe my eyes right now pic.twitter.com/3hAxkSVvGo
— holly turner (@ittybittyholly) March 25, 2020
Other fans are posting screenshots of direct messages with Swift on Twitter and Tumblr.
“the one where your favorite person on earth casually calls you bernie” THANK YOU FOR BEING THE BEST FRIEND EVER @taylorswift13 💗 hejejsjfjajjf icannotbreathe pic.twitter.com/8NYM1grllS
— “bernie, i saw your post”🧣 (@flower_swft) March 26, 2020
In summary: I’m shaking and crying and just fell over a rug in my rush to ask my brother if Taylor’s message was real &now I’m probably (definitely) concussed🥺🥰❣️♥️
— India Rose | “LY DUDE. YOU DESERVE SUPPORT, TOO.” (@hopefulgoodgirl) March 26, 2020
This virus took my new dream job away but @taylorswift GAVE ME SOME JOY TONIGHT out of pure kindness I’M— #BEKind pic.twitter.com/13nSKM2uZH
Swift isn’t the only pop icon jumping in to help fans. Fox News reports that Ariana Grande has paid more than 20 fans between $500-$1,000 through Venmo to help ease their financial strain. Grande even reached out to one fan and covered their entirely monthly salary, Geo News reports.
Britney Spears has also invited fans in need to reach out to her on Instagram if they need extra money during this time, and nominated Will Smith, her boyfriend Sam Asghari and actress Kate Hudson to do the same.