According to insider reports, Taylor Swift’s team allegedly went into full-on damage control mode after the awkward encounter on stage.
Swift made history on Sunday night when she won the Grammy for Album of the Year.
She’s now the only artist to ever win album of the year four times!
Midnights, Fearless, 1989, and Folklore have all won the highly-coveted award.
But, despite the big win, some viewers couldn’t help but focus on what Taylor did when she took the stage to accept her award.
The disrespect…
When the “Karma” singer first made her way onto the stage, she shared hugs with her collaborators, Jack Antonoff and Lana Del Rey.
But, she didn’t share a similar interaction with Celine Dion, snatching the award out of her hands without even acknowledging the legendary songstress.
“Taylor Swift just took the album of the year trophy from Celine Dion without batting an eye and/or acknowledging that a legendary [GOAT] was handing her the award,” one fan wrote on X. “So cringey for my soul.”
Another wrote: “Swifties can dox me or whatever, but considering the significance of Celine coming to do this moment, to run around that stage hugging and carrying on and ultimately act as if this artist who has paved the way is not standing there is insane.”
“Not trying to be hater but being handed a Grammy by Celine Dion in her very triumphant first public appearance in a long time and barely making eye contact insane,” another fan chimed in.
Celine’s major struggles
As highlighted in many fan reactions, this was as big a moment for Dion as it was for Swift.
The 55-year-old presenting at the Grammys marked her first public appearance in months amid her ongoing health issues.
“Thank you all, I love you right back,” the Canadian singer said as she received a standing ovation. “When I say that I’m happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart.”
Dion was diagnosed with the rare and incurable neurological disorder stiff person syndrome in 2022.
She went on to tell the crowd to “never take for granted” the joy that music brings.
The REAL story
But, despite fan speculation that Swift disrespected Dion when she received the Album of the Year award, it seems like all is well between the musicians.
Swift responded in the best way possible
To ensure fans all is good, the women were pictured together backstage, flashing huge smiles as they shared an embrace following their onstage interaction.
Perhaps the “Anti-Hero” singer apologized to the icon, or maybe it was all a misunderstanding that was resolved without saying anything.
Regardless, Taylor seemed to have a great night, saying in her speech that the real award is the work she puts into making her music.
“For me, the award is the work,” the 14-time Grammy winner continued. “All I want to do is keep being able to do this.”
“So thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to do what I love so much,” she concluded in her speech.
Celine Dion was recently diagnosed with a heartbreaking neurological condition that turns its sufferers into ‘human statues’…
Since then, Dion has reached out to fans.
While doctors and specialists have revealed more information about her condition.
But now, she’s made her first public appearance since her diagnosis.
Scroll down for more…
Celine Dion is an icon.
She started out her music career in her home country of France and quickly learned she had an immense talent for singing.
After getting recognition for her music in the ’80s, she went on to win the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest, representing Switzerland.
She learned to speak English not long after, which opened a lot of doors for the singer.
She went on to sign a record deal with Epic Records in the United States, and this did wonders for her popularity.
In the ’90s, she achieved worldwide fame for her best-selling albums Falling into You (1996) and Let’s Talk About Love (1997).
Dion is now one of the best-selling music artists of all time…
And has sold over 200 million record sales worldwide!
What makes Dion’s music so influential is that it incorporates genres such as pop, rock, R&B, gospel, and classical music…
Which is no mean feat.
It’s no surprise she has millions of fans worldwide, and that her music is still just as popular today.
Incredibly, the fifty-four-year-old is still selling out stadiums with her tours.
However, some devastating news has emerged about her most recent tour.
Leaving fans heartbroken…
Celine Dion was forced to cancel the remaining shows of her current tour back in January.
Dion had no choice other than to cancel the remainder of the North American leg of the Courage World Tour.
Fans were understandably devastated by the news…
But many shared their support for the star after learning the reason why.
One fan wrote: “Praying for you to recover soon, Céline.”
While another commented: “Holding you in my thoughts and prayers.”
“Your health is more important is fans love your music and so forth we will see you when you get better,” a third chimed.
While another added: “Sending healing angels and love your way.”
Many fans admitted that they are disappointed the shows have been canceled, though her health and well-being are certainly more important.
Dion, who was forced to postpone her Las Vegas residency in October due to ill health, took to Instagram to confirm the awful news.
The singer wrote: “I was really hoping that I’d be good to go by now, but I suppose I just have to be more patient and follow the regimen that my doctors are prescribing.”
“There’s a lot of organizing and preparation that goes into our shows, and so we have to make decisions today which will affect the plans two months down the road. I’ll be so glad to get back to full health, as well as all of us getting past this pandemic, and I can’t wait to be back on stage again.”
She concluded her post…
“Meanwhile, I’ve been very touched by all the words of encouragement that everyone’s been sending to me on social media. I feel your love and support and it means the world to me. – Celine xx…”
Dion was reportedly suffering from severe pain.
And can’t perform to the best of her ability.
Dion has since updated fans about her health issues…
And although she was set to perform in Las Vegas at The Theatre, Resorts World from November through to February, the singer decided to postpone it even further.
Dion’s rare talent has already drawn in fans from the world over, and many were looking forward to seeing the star this winter in Nevada.
However, things didn’t quite go to plan, and Dion shared a press release on Instagram detailing the: “unforeseen medical symptoms [that] have forced the singer to delay the opening and cancel the performances scheduled.”
According to reports, the document explained that: “Céline has been experiencing severe and persistent muscle spasms which are preventing her from performing.”
She said that she was “heartbroken” by the postponement, and told fans via her Instagram caption: “I’m heartbroken by this. My team and I have been working on our new show for the past eight months, and to not be able to open this November saddens me beyond words.”
“My partners at Resorts World Las Vegas and AEG have been working around the clock to get this brand-new state-of-the-art theatre ready, and it’s absolutely beautiful,” she continued.
“I feel so bad that I’m letting them down, and I’m especially sorry for disappointing all the fans who’ve been making their plans to come to Las Vegas. Now, I have to focus on getting better… I want to get through this as soon as I can.”
“I hope you’ll recover soon. Sending prayers your way Celine Dion. Please stay safe,” one fan wrote after hearing the news.
While a fourth sent good vibes the singer’s way: “Love you and sending good vibes and a much love.”
But then, Dion revealed the devastating diagnosis that has halted her performances…
She took to Instagram to inform her followers of the heartbreaking news.
She said in the post: “Hello everyone, I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to reach out to you. I miss you all so much and can’t wait to be on stage talking to you in person.
“As you know I’ve always been an open book and I wasn’t ready to say anything before but I’m ready now.”
“I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time and it’s been really difficult for me to face my challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through.
“Recently I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff person syndrome which affects 1 in a million people.”
“While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all the spasms I’ve been having,” Dion added.
“Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal chords to sing the way I’m used to.
“It hurts me to tell you today that this means I won’t be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.
“I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better and my precious children who are supporting me and giving me help.”
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes (NINDS), the disorder is “characterized by fluctuating muscle rigidity in the trunk and limbs…
“And a heightened sensitivity to stimuli such as noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can set off muscle spasms.”
Celine then offered fans a heartbreaking health update.
She had to delay the opening of her Las Vegas show, and she shared the news on Insta.
She wrote: “I’m heartbroken by this. My team and I have been working on our new show for the past eight months, and to not be able to open this November saddens me beyond words.”
“My partners at Resorts World Las Vegas and AEG have been working around the clock to get this brand-new state-of-the-art theatre ready, and it’s absolutely beautiful.”
“I feel so bad that I’m letting them down, and I’m especially sorry for disappointing all the fans who’ve been making their plans to come to Las Vegas. Now, I have to focus on getting better… I want to get through this as soon as I can. – Celine xx.”
A doctor then offered an insight into her rare neurological condition.
Doctor Scott Newsome has explained the syndrome better.
“It’s a devastating disease,” he said. “On average because of how rare it is, early on in the disease, it can mimic a lot of other conditions. It takes about seven years for people to get diagnosed – from symptom onset to actual diagnosis.”
“It’s really when people start having more disability that comes to the doctor’s attention.”
“Someone will present to clinic with their axial torso and muscles quite rigid, they may have tightness in their legs… they get horrific spasms in really any muscle in the body. It’s quite painful,” he went on.
“It seems to be adults,” the doctor continued. “Middle to later in years, and there tends to be a female predominance.”
“From the core immunological dysregulation that’s happening, we are a little bit behind the game in terms of understanding what’s going on in patients.”
“It’s this overstimulation that occurs that leads to disability in SPS.”
You can watch the fascinating video here …
A source close to Dion has offered an update.
“Celine is in an enormous amount of pain. She has the best medical team money can buy but things aren’t looking good,” they told Radar Online.
“Her disease is incurable. And as hard she’s worked at it with doctors and therapists, she simply isn’t getting better.”
But there was some positive news …
“Celine has 11 brothers and sisters living in Canada. It’s an amazing, loving support system for her during a time of personal crisis.”
Celine’s sister Claudette then offered a heartwrenching update.
Speaking to Le Journal de Montreal, Claudette Dion shared: “We can’t find any medicine that works, but having hope is important.”
“I honestly think that she mostly needs to rest.”
“She always goes above and beyond, she always tries to be the best and top of her game.”
“At one point, your heart and your body are trying to tell you something. It’s important to listen to it.”
“When I call her and she’s busy, I speak to my sister Linda who lives with her and tells me that she’s working hard,” she concluded. “She’s listening to the top researchers in the field of this rare disease as much as possible.”
And now, Celine has made her first public appearance since her diagnosis!
She sang at a hockey game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Vegas Golden Knights this week.
Chantal Machabée, a rep for the Montreal Canadiens hockey team spoke to People.
“She’s been through a lot, and to see her like this and smiling and being so happy…it’s amazing,” Machabée said.
“I know she has good days and not-so-good days, but this was a very good day, and it was reassuring.”
Was the Photo a Calculated Move?
While the backstage photo seemed like a genuine moment of reconciliation, some industry insiders believe it was a strategic move to control the narrative and repair any damage to Swift’s image.
Matthew Belloni, co-founder of the digital media company Puck, claimed on his podcast that Swift’s team knew they had made a misstep and acted swiftly to mitigate any fallout.
“The Taylor camp knew immediately this is a misstep,” he said.
“They were scrambling to get a photo of Taylor with Celine Dion, which they promptly put out, and that was damage control for the ‘Celine Moment.'”
Brendan Kelly, a music columnist for the Montreal Gazette, echoed Belloni’s thoughts, suggesting that the rapid release of the photo was a clear indication of Team Swift going into full-scale damage-control mode.
According to Kelly, Swift’s PR team is known for their media control skills and would not leave any stone unturned to protect their client’s reputation.
The Importance of Acknowledging Award Presenters
One aspect that added fuel to the fire of criticism was the perceived lack of acknowledgment from Taylor Swift towards Celine Dion when she received her award.
Traditionally, award recipients are expected to acknowledge and thank the presenter. Belloni pointed out that Swift should have known better and taken a moment to show gratitude to Dion on stage.
However, it’s worth noting that Swift did share hugs and celebratory moments with other individuals following her win, including her producer Jack Antonoff, recording engineer Laura Sisk, and singer Lana Del Rey.
This suggests that her focus may have been on celebrating with her team rather than specifically snubbing Celine Dion.
Swift’s Grammy Success and Legacy
Despite the minor hiccup with Celine Dion, Taylor Swift had a successful night at the Grammys.
Her latest album, “Midnights,” earned her two more Grammy trophies for Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year.
This brings her total Grammy wins to an impressive 14 and solidifies her status as one of the most influential artists of our time.
Swift’s impact on the music industry is undeniable. From her early country-pop hits to her recent ventures into alternative sounds, she has consistently pushed boundaries and reinvented herself.
With each album release, she manages to capture the hearts of millions of fans worldwide and dominate the charts.
Lessons Learned: The Perils of Award Shows
Award shows, while glamorous and exciting, can also be a breeding ground for awkward encounters and misunderstandings.
The pressure to deliver a flawless performance, accept awards gracefully, and navigate interactions with fellow artists can sometimes lead to unintentional missteps.