Celebrity Buzz: Taylor Swift Gets Prom Invitation From New Jersey Teen

Friday, February 24, 2012

Taylor Swift Gets Prom Invitation From New Jersey Teen

Kevin McGuire is in treatment for leukemia, and his sister is trying to score him a date with Swift.
By Gil Kaufman

Taylor Swift
Photo: Getty Images

Taylor Swift has a closet full of sparkly, flowing dresses that would be the envy of any girl searching for just the right look for prom. But the singer who spent her prime prom years touring the world has mostly had to assuage her high school dance jones with a headlining gig on MTV's 2008 show "Once Upon a Prom."

But now, instead of sharing her big night with 40 dates and the cameras, Swift has gotten an invitation from a Somerdale, New Jersey, high school senior who is hoping she'll make his dreams come true. According to ABC News affiliate WPVI, 18-year-old Sterling High School football player Kevin McGuire's sister has started an Internet petition on his behalf asking the country-pop superstar to stand by her brother's side.

McGuire, who is receiving treatment for a relapse of the leukemia he was diagnosed with five years ago, is getting dating assistance from his big sister, Tori, who decided to try to lift his spirits after he fretted that he might not be able to get a date once his hair fell out from chemotherapy treatments. "I said, 'What if I got Taylor Swift to go to the prom with you?' " she said she asked her brother. "His eyes lit up for the first time since he was diagnosed." As a bonus, the prom falls on Kevin's birthday.

So Tori set up the "Taylor Swift Take Kevin McGuire to Prom!" Facebook site, which as of Friday (February 24) morning had more than 77,000 followers.

"All throughout Kevin's treatment he kept his character intact, remained playing basketball, and even started varsity football as a freshman," she wrote on the Facebook page. "Kevin is known throughout the community as the High school's 'real life SUPER MAN!' Tragically, Kevin had a relapse, and is now fighting cancer for the second time. Kevin is the kindest, most noble 18 year old a person could even fathom meeting, and throughout his ups and downs Kevin never even questioned 'why me?' Nothing, and I mean NOTHING brightens Kevin's day more than Taylor Swift. Kevin DESERVES more than anyone a special event in his life. And the one thing he wants is to GO TO PROM WITH TAYLOR SWIFT! Let's make this happen people! TAYLOR PLEASE GO TO PROM WITH KEVIN!!!!!! NO ONE DESERVES IT MORE!"

A Twitter hashtag, #teamkevin, has also become a trending topic, with a number of celebrities hopping on the bandwagon, including Perez Hilton, Travie McCoy, reality star Teresa Giudice and sports giants including Michael Vick, Alex Rodriguez, Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith.

Swift's spokesperson could not be reached for comment at press time and the singer had not yet reacted to the invite on her Twitter feed.

But many Facebook friends have weighed in on the latest public request for a celeb to accompany a civilian to a public event, including Bernadette Scullin, who wrote, "May your dreams come true!" and Cecelia Denny, who joked, "C'mon Taylor, don't be 'MEAN!' "

Do you think Taylor Swift will take Kevin McGuire to prom? Leave your comment below!

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