Billboard’s apology to Taylor Swift for nude wax work figure exposed.
Taylor Swift may be the queen of pop, but even she isn’t immune to awkward moments engineered by others.
Case in point: a recent Billboard tribute to the megastar’s career went viral—but for all the wrong reasons.
Billboard’s video congratulated Swift on earning the #2 spot in their “25 Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century.”
Kanye and Taylor’s beef explained.
But instead of pure celebration, the clip stirred controversy with a snippet featuring Kanye West’s infamous “Famous” music video.
Let’s rewind to 2016 when Kanye dropped “Famous” and reignited his long-running feud with Swift.
The video depicted hyperrealistic wax figures of celebrities, including Taylor, naked and lying in a shared bed.
Inspired by artist Vincent Desiderio’s Sleep, West’s visuals blended real people with eerie wax sculptures, sparking a media firestorm.
Swift’s figure was scandalously positioned next to Kanye himself, adding fuel to their public clashes.
The tension only grew with Kanye’s lyrics referencing Swift, claiming, “I made that b*tch famous.”
Taylor vehemently denounced the song, while Kanye insisted she had approved the lyrics.
Leaked calls between the two—and Kim Kardashian’s intervention—led to a messy, public “he said, she said” battle.
This feud snowballed into one of pop culture’s most notorious dramas, cementing their rift in the public eye.
Taylor Swift’s long history with Kanye unveiled.
Swift’s inclusion on Billboard’s greatest pop stars list was a given—her career has been unstoppable.
With chart-topping albums, record-breaking tours, and cultural dominance, she has reshaped the industry.
But moments like these show how deeply her history with Kanye West continues to cast a shadow.
For Swift, this wasn’t the first time her past with West resurfaced, and fans were quick to defend her once again.
Back in 2009, Kanye infamously interrupted her VMA speech, an incident that marked the beginning of their contentious dynamic.
Since then, their interactions have been a rollercoaster of reconciliations, fallouts, and viral moments.
While West’s reputation has veered into controversy, Swift’s star has only risen, proving her staying power.
Yet, moments like Billboard’s faux pas show how entwined their narratives remain in pop culture.
Billboard’s tribute revealed.
Fast forward to 2024, and Billboard’s mistake reignited this controversy, stunning fans and critics alike.
The clip, featuring Swift’s wax figure, was met with outrage from her fiercely loyal fanbase, the Swifties.
Many questioned how such an oversight could occur during a celebratory moment honoring Swift’s illustrious career.
Billboard’s apology exposed.
Billboard quickly issued an apology, acknowledging the harm caused by their inclusion of the contentious footage.
In a post on X, Billboard stated, “We deeply regret including the clip of Taylor Swift from Kanye West’s video in our tribute.”
They emphasized their respect for Swift and pledged to prevent similar mishaps in the future.
While the apology was swift, it didn’t soothe the anger of fans who called it “disrespectful” and “tone-deaf.”
Critics noted that including such imagery contradicted the intent to highlight her monumental achievements.
Will Billboard’s apology be enough?
For fans, this wasn’t just an accidental clip—it symbolized a history they’d rather leave behind.
As one Swiftie tweeted, “Taylor deserves better than having that chapter dredged up again.”
Whether Billboard’s apology mends the rift remains to be seen, but Swift’s career is unlikely to be derailed.
With her “Eras Tour” setting records, it’s clear Taylor Swift’s story is one of triumph, not controversy.