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Taylor Swift fans make a selfie before attending a Taylor Swift show in Chicago on June 2. 2023. Their connection was born in the virtual realm, but a squad of tightly-knit Swift fans have made it hybrid, connecting in person at concerts and events. Members, who are widely recognized as some of the most passionate Taylor Swift fans, with followings across multiple social media platforms, met in Chicago last weekend for the Eras tour. Chicagoan Dominic Cielak hosted the Swiftie super group, which had a similar meet-up for the 2018 Reputation tour and another last year for “Midnights” album release.
Bella Matthiesen, center, draws Taylor's Swift's lucky number 13 on Cami Nate's hand alongside Jack huster on June 2, 2023, in Chicago.
Bella Matthiesen, center, draws Taylor’s Swift’s lucky number 13 on Cami Nate’s hand alongside Jack huster on June 2, 2023, in Chicago.
Bella Matthiesen and Dom Cielak clean Cielak's mirrored overalls in preparation for the Taylor Swift concert on June 2, 2023.
Bella Matthiesen and Dom Cielak clean Cielak’s mirrored overalls in preparation for the Taylor Swift concert on June 2, 2023.
The group spends the morning making last-minute outfit changes and friendship bracelets before heading to Soldier Field for the Taylor Swift Eras Tour on June 2, 2023, in Chicago.
The group spends the morning making last-minute outfit changes and friendship bracelets before heading to Soldier Field for the Taylor Swift Eras Tour on June 2, 2023, in Chicago.
Wearing a vintage Taylor Swift concert T-shirt, Gena Cielak makes egg sandwiches for the group on June 2, 2023, before they leave for the Eras Tour show in Chicago.
Wearing a vintage Taylor Swift concert T-shirt, Gena Cielak makes egg sandwiches for the group on June 2, 2023, before they leave for the Eras Tour show in Chicago.
Lydia Gove wears ghost earrings modeled after ghosts seen in Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero” music video on June 2, 2023, ahead of seeing the Eras Tour concert in Chicago.
Cami Nate shows her Eras Tour outfit on June 2, 2023.
Cami Nate shows her Eras Tour outfit on June 2, 2023.
Karim Boules and Jack Huster react to Bella Matthiesen's Eras Tour outfit on June 2, 2023.
Karim Boules and Jack Huster react to Bella Matthiesen’s Eras Tour outfit on June 2, 2023.
Dom Cielak shows off his Eras Tour night two costume on June 2, 2023, in Chicago. The cart resembles a similar one Taylor Swift was secretly transported in from backstage to the main stage before the start of a show.
Dom Cielak shows off his Eras Tour night two costume on June 2, 2023, in Chicago. The cart resembles a similar one Taylor Swift was secretly transported in from backstage to the main stage before the start of a show.
Dominic Cielak holds a signed photo gifted to him by Taylor Swift during the Reputation stadium tour on June 2, 2023, in Chicago. Swift saw the Swiftie from the stage as he danced in the crowd, and hand-selected him to meet her after the show.
Dominic Cielak holds a signed photo gifted to him by Taylor Swift during the Reputation stadium tour on June 2, 2023, in Chicago. Swift saw the Swiftie from the stage as he danced in the crowd, and hand-selected him to meet her after the show.
Dom Cielak makes friendship bracelets to pass out to fellow fans at the Eras Tour on June 2, 2023, in Chicago.
Dom Cielak makes friendship bracelets to pass out to fellow fans at the Eras Tour on June 2, 2023, in Chicago.
Cami Nate applies red lipstick, Taylor Swift's signature look, on June 2, 2023, in Chicago ahead of the Eras Tour at Soldier Field.
Cami Nate applies red lipstick, Taylor Swift’s signature look, on June 2, 2023, in Chicago ahead of the Eras Tour at Soldier Field.
Dom Cielak's glittery overalls are prepped on a dining room table on June 2, 2023, in Chicago. He said has over 20 hours of work into this outfit for the Eras Tour.
Dom Cielak’s glittery overalls are prepped on a dining room table on June 2, 2023, in Chicago. He said has over 20 hours of work into this outfit for the Eras Tour.
Bella Matthiesen cuts the tag off her Eras Tour outfit on June 2, 2023, in Chicago.
Bella Matthiesen cuts the tag off her Eras Tour outfit on June 2, 2023, in Chicago.
Dom Cielak hugs Jack Huster as they make friendship bracelets on June 2, 2023, before seeing Taylor Swift play at Soldier Field.
Dom Cielak hugs Jack Huster as they make friendship bracelets on June 2, 2023, before seeing Taylor Swift play at Soldier Field.
Jack Huster holds a photo from 2018 when he went to Taylor Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour. Before the show, Huster was picked to meet Swift.
Jack Huster holds a photo from 2018 when he went to Taylor Swift’s Reputation Stadium Tour. Before the show, Huster was picked to meet Swift.
Dominic Celiak sings along with his friends at his home on June 2, 2023, in Chicago, as they get ready for the Eras Tour show.
Dominic Celiak sings along with his friends at his home on June 2, 2023, in Chicago, as they get ready for the Eras Tour show.
Bella Matthiesen draws a number 13 on Cami Nate's hand.
Bella Matthiesen draws a number 13 on Cami Nate’s hand.
Lydia Grove sews a concert outfit hours before the Eras Tour on June 2, 2023, in Chicago.
Lydia Grove sews a concert outfit hours before the Eras Tour on June 2, 2023, in Chicago.
Dominic Cielak looks through photos from when he attended the Reputation stadium tour, where he was hand-picked to meet Taylor Swift.
Dominic Cielak looks through photos from when he attended the Reputation stadium tour, where he was hand-picked to meet Taylor Swift.
Dom Cielak, Cami Nate and Lydia Grove arrive at Soldier Field in Chicago for The Taylor Swift Eras Tour.
Dom Cielak, Cami Nate and Lydia Grove arrive at Soldier Field in Chicago for The Taylor Swift Eras Tour.
Gena Cielak shops for Taylor Swift merch on June 2, 2023, at the Eras Tour outside Soldier Field.
Gena Cielak shops for Taylor Swift merch on June 2, 2023, at the Eras Tour outside Soldier Field.
The Swifties show their friendship bracelets outside Soldier Field.
The Swifties show their friendship bracelets outside Soldier Field.
Dom Cielak and Cami Nate wait to go through security at the Eras Tour show outside Soldier Field.
Dom Cielak and Cami Nate wait to go through security at the Eras Tour show outside Soldier Field.
Cami Nate, center, watches as Dom Cielak trade friendship bracelets outside Soldier Field.
Cami Nate, center, watches as Dom Cielak trade friendship bracelets outside Soldier Field.
Dom Cielak walks around Soldier Field with his mother, Gena.
Dom Cielak walks around Soldier Field with his mother, Gena.
Anticipation climbs as 13 seconds remain until Taylor Swift takes the stage for the first of three nights on June 2, 2023, in Soldier Field.
Anticipation climbs as 13 seconds remain until Taylor Swift takes the stage for the first of three nights on June 2, 2023, in Soldier Field.
Taylor Swift performs “Cruel Summer” at opening night of the Chicago Eras Tour on June 2, 2023, at Soldier Field.