Thursday, October 1, 2026
When she started character entertainment in college, a Taylor Swift tribute show was not part of the plan for Glenwood Landing resident Kelsey Edquist. In fact, cosplaying at children’s parties began as a side job before eventually starting her own character entertainment company.
As the owner and founder of Royal Princess Prep Entertainment, based in Glen Head, Edquist has played the role of many characters, primarily for parties. The New York University Tisch graduate starting putting on her “Totally Taylor” tribute show in 2024.
With the Eras Tour becoming increasingly popular, Edquist said people began requesting character entertainers dressed as Taylor Swift. Her company did not previously include live people tributes in its repertoire, which focuses largely on princesses and superheroes. It now offers impersonators for celebrities like Marilyn Monroe. Edquist began appearing dressed as Swift at private parties in 2023.
“I wasn’t sure at first,” she said. “and then the costume came in, and the wig came in, and I thought, ‘I think we can pull this off.’ So, we announced it, and then it blew up.”
Soon, people began asking if the company would consider concert style events. Edquist said she questioned if it was doable considering the costumes, dancers and set pieces required.
With a high level of demand and a venue willing to work with her, Edquist said she decided to try it. She now performs the tribute show across Long Island and sometimes out of state.
“Taylor is like an offshoot of the original company,” Edquist explained. “just because it’s so massive and such a big undertaking. And the concerts are a whole different situation than a party, but that’s kind of amazing.”
Edquist performs songs across almost all of Swift’s albums and wears several costumes throughout. She will add songs from Swift’s newest album, “Life of a Showgirl” at the next concert on Feb. 16 at Bayway Arts Center in East Islip.
As a self-proclaimed Swiftie since childhood, Edquist said she enjoys experiencing every “era” during the show and remembering where she was during each. She added that she loves getting to share the music with her younger audience.
“As they’re growing up, they’re just starting to learn so they know her greatest hits,” Edquist said. “but maybe there are some songs they’re not as familiar with. It’s really fun for me to kind of share with them some of my favorite songs that are lesser sung or heard.”
Edquist was voted FourLeaf Best of Long Island’s best celebrity impersonator in 2025 for her performances as Swift.
“I still can’t kind of get over the fact that people come to see me do a concert for (two and a half hours), whether it’s as Taylor or not,” Edquist said. “It’s a really cool experience to get to share that with the audience and be in that space with them when they’re as excited as I am.”
