A clip of Taylor Swift working out in a $22,500 Cartier necklace has caused a stir online.
The image—snapshotted from promo footage of her upcoming Eras Tour documentary—shows Swift in the gym wearing a black tank top and the bold, chunky accessory. It touched off a viral debate about extreme wealth and how we perceive value.
In one post that spread widely on Threads, Omiroro Renee Therese Oni-Eseleh (@omi_oh_my27) wrote: “Y’all really need to understand the concept of billionaire. She doesn’t care about the necklace cause a $22.5k Cartier to her is the direct equivalent of a $22.50 Walmart necklace that she got on sale for $5.00. Team Orca.”
Newsweek reached out to Taylor Swift’s publicist via email. The post has already racked up more than 7.4 million views.
How Rich Is Taylor Swift, Really?
According to Business Insider, as of October 2025, Taylor Swift’s net worth is estimated at $1.6 billion. The bulk of her wealth comes from her chart-breaking Eras Tour, which grossed over $2 billion globally, plus earnings from music catalog sales, streaming, merchandise, and her successful recordings of her earlier albums.
Why That Necklace Feels Less Like Jewelry and More Like Symbolism
Gemologist, jewelry journalist, and educator Adrianne Sanogo, who specializes in uncovering the hidden value of gemstones and jewelry, told Newsweek her thoughts on the matter.
“The average person could compare that to $100. The psychology of extreme wealth and how it shapes perceptions of value—typically extreme wealth appears unattainable to the average earner, and in some instances creates resentment, but more often envy,” Sanogo said.
She added that displays of casual luxury often spark strong reactions online because they prompt people to compare themselves with what they lack. Sanogo said that, when individuals do not have the resources to buy everyday essentials or discretionary luxuries, seeing others treat expensive items casually can create feelings of scarcity, which may lead to envy or resentment.
Sanogo added that celebrity spending habits can influence social norms and consumer expectations.
In today’s digital age, where people are constantly exposed to images of celebrities in their homes, in public, and across their devices, social-media algorithms reinforce these exposures.
According to Sanogo, following celebrities can subconsciously encourage people to emulate their fashion, food choices, pets, vehicles, or other aspects of their lifestyles.
Michael Fahey, founder and CEO of Fahey Communications, told Newsweek that Taylor Swift’s $22,500 Cartier “workout necklace” highlights how modern culture navigates wealth and relatability.
“It’s a striking example of how abstract value truly becomes at such dizzying heights of wealth. Economically speaking, this showcases what’s known as wealth elasticity: the way spending comfort transforms dramatically when total assets soar, making items seen as extravagant hardly register for the ultra-rich,” Fahey said.
He added that this normalization of luxury reflects a psychological detachment that occurs when money is no barrier, turning extravagance into a standard expectation.
Fahey said that the viral reaction is tied to what experts call relatability dissonance: the tension between a celebrity’s accessible public image and flashes of immense privilege. He added that moments like this reveal mixed societal feelings about success.
“We admire achievement, yet feel uneasy about excess. So, that single necklace? It’s much more than just a stylish adornment; it’s a symbol of the deepening cultural divide over notions of value, aspiration, and belonging in an era where luxury is celebrated but also scrutinized,” Fahey added.
Voices From Threads
Some of the reactions to the necklace reveal just how divided public opinion is:
Stacey said: “The majority of her wealth is in her music catalog which she will never sell. So she is worth over a billion, but doesn’t have a billion of liquid assets. She even said herself she couldn’t have afforded to buy back her original masters without the Eras Tour.”
Laurlyn posted: “I swear people defend billionaires just because they can’t conceptualize how much a billion is.”
Sapphire McDonald commented: “Imma be real for a min baby girl been working her a** off since 14 she better be worth a couple billions by now.”
