A Missouri teenager, Jade Metivier, lived through one of those rare moments that blend medical miracles, pop culture magic, and the resilience of a young girl’s spirit. At just 13 years old, Jade underwent three back-to-back, marathon surgeries, each lasting 13 hours, to correct a painful condition called Midface Hypoplasia. And while her road to recovery was filled with fear, hardware, and hospital stays, it was Taylor Swift who ended up playing an unexpected role in her healing journey.
For Jade, growing up with Midface Hypoplasia in Missouri was more than just a medical challenge. The condition meant her midface bones didn’t develop at the same rate as her chin and forehead. Something most people don’t think twice about, breathing, eating, speaking with friends, became daily struggles, per Fox 8.
On top of that, Jade says she could feel people’s confusion when they looked at her. Like many teenagers in Missouri and beyond, she just wanted to feel comfortable in her own skin. The Metivier family eventually found Dr. Thomas Imahiyerobo at New York Presbyterian, who proposed a surgery that sounded straight out of a sci-fi movie.
Missouri Teen Shocks Doctors By Dancing To Taylor Swift While In A Coma
The process was terrifying and included cutting open Jade’s head, temporarily removing parts of her face, and reconstructing her bones with hardware. Her parents, Mark and Christi, were understandably hesitant. “I mean, it was scary,” Mark admitted. Christi added, “It was a lot, but we just knew deep down that it had to be done.” And so, Jade went through it all—scared, but hopeful for a better future.
Post-surgery, doctors placed Jade in a medically induced coma to let her swelling subside. What happened next feels like something you’d see in a Taylor Swift music video. Her parents played Swift’s hit “Cruel Summer,” and suddenly, Jade still unconscious, started moving.
Her dad recalled, “Lo and behold, she starts moving her hands to the music. She starts moving her hips to the music.” Soon enough, ICU nurses and doctors rushed in to witness the unbelievable sight. In true Swiftie fashion, Jade literally danced her way through a coma.
Music Can Be Healing
Even Jade herself can’t quite explain it. She doesn’t remember the moment but recalls imagining choreography in her head while sedated. “I was kind of surprised myself, because all I remembered was just going through a dance in my head,” she said. And honestly, is there a better testament to Taylor Swift’s cultural grip than a teen subconsciously grooving to her while medically asleep?
Now 16, Jade’s life looks very different. She’s a sophomore in high school, leaning into tap dancing for her school’s musical, and dreaming of studying biochemical engineering. With a newfound sense of confidence, she’s embracing who she is and sharing her smile freely. “I just love to be myself,” she says, proving that those grueling surgeries and moments of uncertainty were worth it.
Her parents agree, saying her spark and determination came back stronger than ever. After months of recovery, Jade has returned to her passions, her dreams, including dancing. It all circles back to that unforgettable moment in a Missouri ICU when Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” became a literal lifeline.
Hunter Spears 
Kenna Raye 
