Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on the podcast "Acquired" that he took his daughter August to a Taylor Swift concert, after which August said she wanted to be like her when she grows up. His response was: "You can't, that position is not available to you."

August thought for a moment and then said she wanted others to want to be August Chan Zuckerberg when she grows up. Zuckerberg's reaction was two consecutive "Hell yeahs." This conversation was recorded on September 10, 2024, while speaking to hosts Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, when August was 7 years old. The topic was not about parenting advice but an example he recalled while discussing advice for founders.

He did not clarify on the show what he meant by "not available," whether it referred to vocal talent, scheduling, or opportunities. Public reports only retained the original phrase and his suggestion for the other person to rethink their dreams. The New York Post noted that he did not explain to the hosts why that level of professional singing was not available for his daughter.

The concert was part of the Eras Tour in California. Reports indicated that his wife Priscilla Chan and daughters Maxima and Aurelia were also present. The September 2024 report listed their ages as 8, 7, and 17 months. Zuckerberg wore a friendship bracelet to the event and captured moments of dancing with his children. Chan and he have been married for over 12 years, and the three are their daughters.

Business Insider later quoted comments from California therapist Annie Wright. She has wealthy parents among her clients who struggle with how to provide opportunities without amplifying a sense of entitlement. She interpreted this statement as a reminder for children to be themselves rather than to emulate an idol, while also mentioning that an increasing number of children among her clients want to become internet celebrities. This is the therapist's interpretation, not a supplemental statement from Zuckerberg.

This segment of founder advice was released on the podcast, not as a new business or family investment. The buyers are the entrepreneurial audience of "Acquired" and the media that later shared clips, while the seller is the Meta CEO who framed family conversations within advice. Attention shifted from the wish of the concert night to the phrase "the position is occupied, be original." Beneficiaries are podcasts and fund narratives that use originality as a startup metric; those under pressure are the notions of imitating idols as a primary aspiration and the public mention of the children's names in the program.

The Eras Tour is Swift's touring brand, and friendship bracelets are a circulating item among the audience. Zuckerberg did not discuss ticket prices, Meta's business collaboration with Swift, or whether his daughter later changed her mind in this interview.

Source: Public Information