Who is the 'redhead named Abigail,' Taylor Swift's high school BFF?

NEW YORK - Taylor Swift's childhood best friend, Abigail Anderson Berard, was spotted leaving the Ritz-Carlton in New York City on Friday, likely heading to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding.

Her appearance sparked curiosity from viewers on social media about the longtime BFF. 

From inspiring one of Swift’s songs to attending her wedding, here’s everything to know about Anderson Berard. 

Who is Abigail Anderson Berard?

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Anderson Berard is known as one of Swift’s closest childhood friends, having stayed close for over two decades. 

The two have known each other ever since they were teenagers at Hendersonville High School in Tennessee.

According to PEOPLE, Anderson Berard had wanted to swim at the college level. Swift told Oprah Winfrey in 2009 that she and her best friend were both living out their dreams.

"She wanted to be a swimmer and go off on a college scholarship for swimming and I wanted to be a singer," Swift said. "Now she’s off at Kansas on a swimming scholarship and I’m singing."

Over the years, the longtime BFFs have been photographed together at high-profile events, including Swift’s 34th birthday party and the 2015 Grammy Awards.

Last year, Anderson and her husband were spotted on a double date with Swift and Kelce in Nashville.

Taylor Swift writes about Anderson Berard in songs

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The international pop star also wrote about Anderson Berard on her 2008 coming-of-age song "Fifteen." 

The song first appeared on Swift's 2008 second studio album "Fearless," and was later re-recorded for 2021's "Fearless (Taylor’s Version)." Anderson Berard also appears in the song's official video.

"You sit in class next to a redhead named Abigail. And soon enough you’re best friends. Laughing at the other girls. Who think they’re so cool. We’ll be out of here as soon as we can," Swift sings.

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Swift also mentioned Anderson Berard again in the 2025 song "Ruin the Friendship." In the song, which is from "The Life of a Showgirl," Swift sings about a high school boy whom she had a crush on. However, Anderson calls her to tell her the tragic news that the boy died.

"When I left school I lost track of you.  Abigail called me with the bad news. Goodbye … and we’ll never know why. It was not an invitation. But I flew home anyway. With so much left to say. It was not convenient, no, but I whispered at the grave, ‘should’ve kissed you anyway,'" Swift sings.

In addition, Anderson Berard appeared in several others of Swift’s music videos, including "Picture to Burn," "I’m Only Me When I’m with You" and "New Romantics."

Anderson Berard was also in Swift's "Miss Americana" documentary.

Anderson Berard welcomes first child

Anderson married her first husband, photographer Matt Lucier, in September 2017, and Swift was a bridesmaid. The couple separated in 2021, according to PEOPLE.

In 2024, Swift congratulated Anderson Berard on social media, after she and now-husband Charles Berard welcomed their first child.

In the comments of her announcement, Swift wrote, "When the internet says ‘MOTHER’ I feel like this pic is actually what they mean."

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