Billy Joel defends Taylor Swift: 'We need to let her in, that's what New York is all about'

'Uptown Girl' legend Billy Joel (pictured left) has defended Taylor Swift after she was criticised for being named the global welcome ambassador for tourism in New York City because she has only lived in the city for a matter of months.

The 'Blank Space' superstar was given the ambassadorial role back in October in an effort to promote New York City, but people have hit back at the decision because she's not closely associated with the area.

During a brief interview with newspaper USA Today, Joel explained that people need to stop being snotty about it and embrace her: "I see the New York press going, 'Taylor Swift is going to be the new New York representative?' You snoots. Let her in. That's what New York is all about. I say, 'Welcome.'"

Swift, meanwhile, recently told the Rolling Stone magazine that she was initially nervous about relocating to the Big Apple and didn't think she was strong enough to handle such a busy city: "I was so intimidated by this city for so long. It's so big, with so many people. I thought I would never be able to make it here, because I wasn't something enough — bold enough, brave enough to take on this huge city in all of its blaring honesty. And then at a certain point I just thought, 'I'm ready.'"

Watch Swift talk about her love of NYC here: