She saw her daughter's vision and sacrificed her life... the plan was always for Taylor to be famous

How Swift's mum set her on path to superstardom

- BY EMMELINE SAUNDERS

She started out as a sweet child with a wild tangle of white-blonde curls, running around the farm barefoot.

Now a billionaire and global mega star, Taylor Swift has recorded 16 albums and is engaged to her American footballer fiance Travis Kelce.

And one woman who was with her during her early years of fame says this was "driven and determined" Taylor's game plan all along.

Emily Poe Stumler was hired to be 17-year-old Taylor's fiddle player back in 2006, when the country singer was touting her demo CD around Nashville, hoping to land a record deal.

"She was so driven, even at that age," says mum-of-two Emily, now 40, who was just a few years older than the teenage Taylor when they toured together for the first time.

"The plan was for her to always be as famous as she became."

Emily reveals for the first time the incredible impact Taylor's mum Andrea had on her young daughter. Her support meant the world, as Taylor went from being "the weird kid with no friends" in middle school, to the young pop star winning her first VMA Award.

"If there was no Andrea, there would be no Taylor Swift," says Emily. "She saw her daughter's vision and she sacrificed her life so Taylor could do what she wanted in life."

Andrea worked as a mutual fund marketing executive before having Taylor, now 35, and her younger brother Austin with their father Scott.

She gave up her high-flying career to manage Taylor's music affairs, using the skills she had built in her previous male-dominated industry to secure deals.