A security guard who gained online fame for singing along at a Taylor Swift concert has shared that he was let go by the security firm he was employed with. Calvin Denker became a TikTok sensation after a video of him singing “Cruel Summer” during one of Taylor Swift’s shows in Minneapolis, Minnesota, became viral in June.
However, Denker recently revealed on TikTok that he was fired by his former employer. Although the company didn’t object to his singing, the management expressed concern over Denker distributing notes to concert attendees. These notes asked them to share any photos or videos of him positioned in front of Taylor Swift while she performed on stage behind him.
“Long story short, I was fired for it,” Mr Denker told his followers. “My former security company said that they had a rule against taking photos with any of their performers
“Every photo of me from that night was from behind the barricade, like any other photo from a fan would be. I never took my own phone out. And above all else, I made sure that Taylor Swift was safe and all the fans had a good time.”
Nevertheless, he appealed to his followers not to “direct any negativity towards the company… I had the opportunity to work at one of the most amazing concerts… which is incredible. I bear no ill feelings toward my employer.”
Denker also clarified his motivation for encouraging audience members to capture his photos or videos in front of the American singer and songwriter.
His words,
“I wasn’t allowed to turn my back to the crowd and really watch Taylor perform… After night one, I was realising how close Taylor Swift was getting to me so I really wanted to get a photo to document it.
“I handed out these little pieces of paper that said I wasn’t allowed to have my phone out but if Taylor Swift comes right behind me, please take a photo of me and text it to my number.
“I handed this out to a couple of people in the front row for night two, and they were really kind and really sweet about it.”