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Just one day after regaining control of her master recordings, Taylor Swift was seen dining with longtime friend Selena Gomez in New York City on May 31. The two pop icons, both dressed in chic eveningwear, shared a quiet dinner at the historic Monkey Bar, a Midtown Manhattan staple known for its 1950s mural and ties to Hotel Elysée.
The evening marked a celebratory milestone in Swift's career. On May 30, she stunned the music world by announcing that she had successfully acquired her masters after a prolonged public battle that began in 2019. The feud started when Scooter Braun purchased Big Machine Records, gaining ownership of Swift's first six albums. Braun later sold the masters to Shamrock Capital for a reported $300 million.
In an emotional open letter, Swift reflected on the years-long struggle: "I almost stopped thinking it could happen, after 20 years of having the carrot dangled and then yanked away." Her heartfelt Instagram post showed her surrounded by physical copies of her early albums. "All of the music I've ever made... now belongs... to me," she wrote.
The move was made possible, in part, by the massive success of her Eras Tour and her re-recorded albums, which dominated streaming platforms and sales charts. According to Billboard, Swift's re-recorded versions now represent over 60% of her total streaming revenue. Her business acumen was praised across the industry.
Selena Gomez was among the first to show support. "Yes you did that Tay! So proud," Gomez wrote on Instagram Stories, reflecting a friendship that has lasted since 2008, when both were dating Jonas brothers. Their bond has weathered industry changes, personal milestones, and public scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Swift's boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, was in Kansas City for the Big Slick charity event, while Gomez's fiancé, producer Benny Blanco, was also absent from the dinner. The spotlight remained on the two women and the unspoken significance of the moment.
Flavor Flav, a self-declared "King Swiftie," echoed public sentiment in a message on X: "Congratulations to Taylor Swift. May you have peace and happiness and continue to gain more of that." Even Braun, Swift's longtime adversary, extended an olive branch. "I am happy for her," he told Us Weekly.
In a city known for reinvention, Swift's night out in Manhattan felt symbolic. It wasn't just a dinner with a friend—it was a quiet triumph, years in the making.
