Billboard Apologizes To Taylor Swift Over Controversial Video Clip

Billboard has issued a public apology to Taylor Swift after referencing Kanye West’s controversial “Famous” music video in a social media post celebrating Swift’s achievements as one of the “Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century.”

The original video, posted on November 27, included a clip of Swift’s naked wax figure from West’s 2016 “Famous” video, sparking outrage among Swift’s fans.

The depiction, tied to a long-standing feud between Swift and West, was widely criticized as inappropriate and offensive.

Following backlash, Billboard released a statement on November 28 via X (formerly Twitter):

“We are deeply sorry to Taylor Swift and all of our readers and viewers that in a video celebrating Swift’s achievements, we included a clip that falsely depicted her.

We have removed the clip from our video and sincerely regret the harm we caused with this error.”

Fans had taken to social media to express their disappointment with the original post.

One user wrote, “A man should never define a woman’s success. Billboard owes Taylor Swift an apology,” while another called the inclusion of the clip “disgusting.”

The controversy highlights the fraught history between Swift and West. The “Famous” video, featuring wax figures of naked celebrities, reignited tensions between the two in 2016.

This was compounded by West’s lyrics claiming he “made that b—h famous,” which Swift disputed, stating she never approved the offensive language.

In 2020, an unedited version of a phone call between Swift and West confirmed her account, exposing the initial clip shared by Kim Kardashian as misleading.

Reflecting on the experience, Swift told TIME in 2023, “It took me down psychologically to a place I’ve never been before.”

E! News has reached out to representatives for Swift and Billboard for further comment but has yet to receive a response.

Fans continue to rally around Swift, praising her resilience amid the recurring controversies tied to this chapter of her career.

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