What about the lucky fans who are a bit more famous?

However, the person selected at the second Melbourne show seemed less random.

Oliver Mills, a New Zealand TikToker who has posted videos of himself singing Swift songs in the car, received the hat after being hand-picked by Swift and her team. Video footage shows the pop star saying, “I love your videos, you’re so funny”, meaning she already knew of – and enjoyed – Mills’ content.

This seems to suggest Mills’ moment in the spotlight was pre-ordained rather than coincidental. Though the details of his story remain relatively vague, Mills told various media outlets he had been invited into the stadium’s friends and family section, where he was supposedly told ahead of time he would receive the legendary hat.

Similarly, TikTok star Mikael Arellano scooped the hat during one of the Philadelphia shows. He had caught Swift’s attention before the concert by posting a Bejeweled dance sequence, which the singer incorporated into the official Eras Tour choreography.

Some other recipients of the 22 hat (which is also signed by the star) during the US leg of the Eras Tour seemed intentional in a different way. For example, the daughter of the late Kobe Bryant, Bianka, was given the fedora last year, when she attended the first show at SoFi Stadium in California.

Bianka and her sister had also been watching the show from the special VIP tent. Kobe, who died in a helicopter crash in 2020, had appeared on stage with Swift in 2015 to commemorate her record 16 sellout shows at what was formerly the Staples Centre.

And during Swift’s concert in Cincinnati in July, 16-year-old Ally Anderson was given the hat. She had a rare form of soft tissue cancer at the time, and had been specifically picked out of the crowd by Swift’s mother. On November 13, five years after her diagnosis, Anderson died.

Are the odds in your favour?

Whether random or of a mastermind’s design, there are noticeable patterns. Throughout Swift’s 53 shows in the US last year, she handed the hat to 29 young girls. This is based on footage of each show, meaning there is no way to be sure of each child’s age; however, they appeared to be between the age of about seven and 15.

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In comparison, only 12 girls aged 16 and over were given the hat, as well as 12 boys of any age. Therefore, a fan is generally more likely to receive the 22 hat if they’re an adorable young girl.

They are also more likely to be selected if situated on the floor, or in the arena seating, of the venue. Most of the chosen fans so far have been seated closer to the stage, making it easier for staff or security to escort them to the front in time for the hit song.

However, sitting in restricted-view or “nosebleed” seats does not entirely exclude Swifties from possible perks. 3AW presenter Jacqui Felgate posted a listener’s story on Instagram, which explained how one woman and her daughter were given surprise access to the VIP section by Swift’s father, Scott, on Friday, despite only having “cheap, restricted seats”.

Ultimately, whether you’re a popular TikToker or a nine-year-old girl who simply loves Swift, you’re in with a chance to don the iconic hat. But beware: tens of thousands of other Swifties are too.

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