Taylor Swift drops 'Miss Americana' documentary trailer

The official trailer for Taylor Swift's Miss Americana documentary has just dropped. The documentary will hit Netflix and select theatres on January 31.

Lana Wilson-directed Miss Americana gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at the pop superstar's life, recording studio and performances. In the trailer, Swift talks about being influenced by industry executives and her eventual decision to step out of that mould and speak on her political beliefs.

"Throughout my whole career, label executives would just say: a nice girl doesn't force their opinions on people," she says. "I feel really good about not feeling muzzled anymore and it was my own doing," Swift later adds.

The documentary will also feature new music. It was announced yesterday that a new song called 'Only the Young' will be released on January 31 and is featured during the film's credits.

The journey to Miss Americana's release was clouded by public drama with record executives Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta of Big Machine Records, who released Swift's first six albums. Swift, who controls the copyright, wanted to re-record her old music so she could re-release it on her own terms after the record deal with Big Machine expires. Borchetta and Braun allegedly told her she would not be able to use her old work in the documentary.

"Scott Borchetta told my team that they’ll allow me to use my music only if I do these things: If I agree not to re-record copycat versions of my songs next year (which is something I’m legally allowed to do and looking forward to) and also told me that I need to stop talking about him and Scooter Braun,” Swift wrote on social media in November. “The message being sent to me is very clear. Basically, be a good little girl and shut up. Or you’ll be punished.”

Director Wilson told Variety that the Big Machine scenario wouldn't be included in the documentary. But Swift's willingness to stand up for herself publicly against Braun and Borchetta mirrors her willingness to stand up for others politically, which the documentary trailer centres on.