I think you have to make a lot of assumptions about this scientist and her motivations to get from "she named this insect after a musician she likes" to "she worships celebrities." The things she is quoted as saying in this article sound quite reasonable.

"Taxonomy is the cornerstone of conservation," Schroeder said. "If we don't describe species, we don't know they exist and can't conserve them. Honoring Taylor through naming these species after her is a way to honor conservation science and bring attention to all the unknown diversity."