Billboard has said it “sincerely regret[s]” its decision to include a clip of Taylor Swift’s cameo in a Kanye West music video as part of a tribute to the pop star’s career.
ICYMI, the publication this week unveiled Swift as the runner-up in its countdown of the Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century. In the accompanying overview of her career — which was intended to be celebratory — Billboard created a highlights reel that included archival clips of the singer and cuts of her old and new music videos, but it was one snippet in particular that sent fans into uproar.
The clip in question was taken from the controversial music video for West’s 2016 song “Famous”. For those who rightfully erased that from their memory, the video featured a wax figure replica in Swift’s likeness splayed on a bed alongside other wax-made stars like Caitlyn Jenner, Kim Kardashian, and Donald Trump, the last of whom’s bare bum is an image that will unfortunately remain seared into my brain.
Given the lore behind the song (more on that later) and the fact that hell hath no fury like a Swiftie scorned, Billboard was quick to apologise to both Swift and her fans, who widely slammed the use of the clip. After the hashtag #BillboardIsOverParty began trending (such is the power of the Swifties), Billboard issued a statement saying it is “deeply sorry to Taylor Swift and all of our readers and viewers”.
“In a video celebrating Swift’s achievements, we included a clip that falsely depicted her,” the statement read.
The publication accompanied the apology with an updated version of the highlights reel that didn’t include the West moment, and said it “sincerely regret[s] the harm we caused with this error”.
The inclusion of the clip was particularly irksome for Swifties (beyond the reminder of Trump’s bum) because of the firestorm of controversy that erupted in the wake of West’s song. If you recall, “Famous” was the track with lyrics that mentioned Swift apparently without her permission.
In response to that claim, Kardashian released footage of West and Swift discussing the song’s lyrics ahead of its release, but the pop star later said those videos had been “edited” and that West had omitted other lyrics about her during the phone call. It’s what prompted the Great Snake Reckoning of ‘16, and what informed much of her 2017 album, Reputation.
Swift was included on the Billboard list alongside a whole host of fellow music A-listers, including index finger-embracer Ariana Grande, third place-getter Rihanna, and “divorce babes” originator Adele.
While we don’t yet know who will claim the number one spot, the streets are abuzz with a name that begins with B and ends with eyoncé. In all honesty, it could also be Jojo Siwa.
Lead image: Emma McIntyre/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management and Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
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