Taylor Swift has reclaimed her crown — and her music — and what better way to celebrate than with her ride-or-die bestie Selena Gomez by her side?
The two pop powerhouses were spotted Saturday night dining in style at Monkey Bar, a chic Manhattan hotspot known for its old-school elegance and gourmet menu of caviar, handmade pasta, and prime steaks.
A Toast to Taylor’s Triumph
The outing comes just days after Taylor pulled off one of the biggest power moves in the music industry: she officially bought back the rights to her original music catalog, which had previously been owned by financial giants.
Captured in a candid photo posted to X (formerly Twitter), Taylor and Selena looked deep in conversation, seated across from each other in a cozy booth. Taylor appeared animated and wide-eyed — perhaps reacting to an exciting moment in the chat — while Selena sat coolly, taking it all in.
Their dinner wasn’t just a casual catch-up — it was a celebration of Taylor’s hard-fought victory nearly two decades in the making.
The Long Road Back to Her Masters
For longtime Swifties, the moment is monumental. In 2019, Scooter Braun purchased Taylor’s original masters through his acquisition of Big Machine Label Group, reportedly without her consent. The controversial move sparked a very public feud between Taylor and Braun, with Taylor accusing him of bullying and exploitation.
Not long after, Scooter sold the masters to Shamrock Capital in 2020 — again without Taylor’s involvement. The catalog reportedly included all music from her debut album through Reputation.
Now, in a stunning twist, Taylor has regained ownership of her life’s work after Shamrock agreed to sell the catalog back to her — a full-circle moment for the artist who famously began re-recording her albums as a form of protest and empowerment.
Selena Stands By Her Friend
Selena Gomez, a longtime confidant and supporter of Taylor’s, was quick to celebrate her friend’s triumph. Shortly after Taylor announced the news, Selena posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram Stories, simply writing:
“SO proud
Saturday’s dinner proves that support wasn’t just social media fluff — Selena showed up in real life to raise a glass with her friend during one of the most significant milestones of Taylor’s career.
BFFs in the Big Apple
Though the two stars have incredibly busy schedules, Taylor and Selena have remained close friends for over a decade, bonding over music, fame, heartbreak, and everything in between. Whether cheering each other on from award show audiences or standing side-by-side in public appearances, the duo has become one of pop culture’s most enduring friendships.
Their night at Monkey Bar, known for its intimate, old-Hollywood ambiance, felt like a nod to their A-list status — but also a sign of how grounded their friendship is, even amid career highs and industry chaos.
Swift’s Power Era Continues
Taylor’s decision to buy back her catalog rather than continue the fight through re-recordings marks a strategic evolution in her ongoing campaign to take back control of her art. It also reinforces her position as one of the most influential and business-savvy artists of her generation.
With her Eras Tour continuing to dominate globally and her recent album The Tortured Poets Department topping charts, 2025 is shaping up to be another career-defining year for Taylor Swift.
And if Saturday night is any indication, she’s got her closest friends cheering her on every step of the way.
GALLERY ALERT:
Swipe through rare snapshots of Taylor and Selena’s NYC dinner celebration — inside Monkey Bar’s glam booths, outside the restaurant, and past moments from their decades-long friendship.
💬 FAN REACTIONS:
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