Billboard has upset Swifties.
The platform has been on everyone’s lips lately as they gradually release their list of the Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century, sparking polarizing reactions from fans and artists alike.
Hailey Bieber recently publicly reacted to the fact that her husband Justin Bieber was ranked “lower” when making the list 8th. He ranked below stars such as Rihanna (3rd), Drake (4th), and Lady Gaga (5th) and Britney Spears (6th), and ranked above Ariana Grande (9th) and Adele (10th).
However, second place officially belongs to global phenomenon Taylor Swift. Her historic Eras tour and numerous awards have proven her worthiness of this position. Billboard noted that she is the only person to win Album of the Year four times at the Grammy Awards, and she has the second most Album wins. Billboard 100 hottest articles of all time. They also call her “the most famous woman in the world”.
However, the platform is now under fire for including a clip of Swift’s nude wax figure from Kanye West’s “Famous” music video in their TikTok announcement about her being second on the list.
Swifties immediately sprang into action to defend the singer, finding it disgusting that Billboard took the bold step. #BillboardIsOverParty soon began trending on X, as many protesters demanded that Billboard issue a public apology.
“The decision to include that clip in a video that is supposed to celebrate Taylor’s success is extremely offensive. Not only is it disgusting and disrespectful, but it is also a slap in the face of an artist, whether you admit it or not, has single-handedly defined this.” generation’s music scene,” a Swift fan page shared via X.
They continued: “This was more than just an oversight; it was a deliberate attempt to demean her and it was absolutely pathetic. You owe Taylor a profound apology for this type of treatment absolutely unacceptable and unprofessional.”
this is disgusting, taylor should sue
— 𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐲 🍉🇵🇸 (@EUS3XXXUA) November 27, 2024
Billboard using this to commemorate Taylor Swift is outrageous. The video was meant to belittle her, not to celebrate her success. Taylor’s career is built on talent, tenacity and influence, not controversy. Please respect her legacy and apologize now @billboard !!!! https://t.co/H6nzl3mP3J
– soul (@ngua) November 27, 2024
The music video caused controversy upon its release in June 2016, depicting wax figures of West, Kim Kardashian, George W. Bush, Donald Trump, Anna Wintour, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Ray J, Amber Rose , Caitlyn Jenner, Bill Cosby and Swift all slept naked in the same bed. The song also contains controversial lyrics about Swift. After West claimed to have received Swift’s approval for the criticized lyric – “I made that bitch famous”, Swift denied the claim, criticized West and denounced The lyrics are “wrong” in a statement. This sparked a fight with West’s ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, who released edited audio that appeared to confirm Swift had approved the lyrics during a phone call with West. This led to a backlash against Swift.
Swifties were already upset when she lost the number one spot to who many thought would be Beyoncé, though this certainly took their anger to a new level. Billboard appears to have removed TikTok’s admission to the contrary, though fans continue to demand accountability.
Swift and Billboard have yet to respond.
TagsTaylor Swift, Billboard