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Taylor Swift reveals what was really behind bizarre photo of her backward hike

A photo showing Taylor Swift with her back to the camera as she walks in reverse went viral this week. But what's the story behind it?
/ Source: TODAY

There's nothing unusual about a Taylor Swift photo attracting attention. After all, the pop star has plenty of adoring fans. But there's definitely something unusual about the photo of her that went viral this week.

Rather than flashing a smile in the shot, Swift can be seen with her back to the camera, being guided as she walks in reverse.

Curious — so curious that her fans couldn't help but try to figure it out themselves.

Taylor Swift The 1989 World Tour Live In Tokyo
Taylor Swift performs during The 1989 World Tour at Tokyo Dome at Tokyo Dome on May 6, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan.Jun Sato / Getty Images

"It's like she's doing that test that police officers do to see if you're drunk or not," mused one Swiftie on Tumblr.

Swift responded to that directly on her own Tumblr, first with a dancing "Bridesmaids" GIF that read, "If I was drunk, would I be able to do this?"

But then the singer got serious and explained that an unexpected paparazzo was the real reason behind the strange scene.

Taylor Swift shares a photo of herself hiking backwards
Taylor Swift shares a photo of herself on her Tumblr page hiking backwards.Taylor Swift / Tumblr

"I saw the guy with the camera and wasn’t in the mood so I hiked the whole trail backward and my security told me when to make turns," Swift said. "Ah, the tranquillity of the great outdoo-TAYLORCANYOULOOKOVERHEREGIVEUSASMILEAREYOUDATIN"

Looks like she stayed one step ahead of the photographer, even if she had to do it by going in reverse.

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