Billboard blasted for using Taylor Swift's wax figure from Kanye West's video in greatest pop star list

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Taylor Swift's designation as the No 2 Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century by Billboard sparked more outrage over a video clip than her ranking.

Billboard shared a video on social media celebrating Swift's accomplishments, yet it controversially featured a segment from Kanye West's 'Famous' music video.

Billboard Greatest Pop Star list reignites Kanye West and Taylor Swift's feud

Billboard included a clip from Kanye West's video, which featured a wax figure of Taylor Swift in a shared bed with other prominent figures, including West.

The lyrics, "I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex / Why?" were accompanied by Swift's apparent nudity. West then rapped, "I made that b***h famous."

According to The Mirror, Swift subsequently expressed her dissatisfaction with the song and video, particularly the use of her image as a doll. She clarified that she had not given West permission to refer to her as "that b***h."

When Kim Kardashian released footage that seemed to show Swift talking about consent, the pop superstar replied, stating: "Where is the video of Kanye telling me he was going to call me 'that b***h' in his song? It doesn't exist because it never happened."

She added, "You don't get to control someone's emotional response to being called 'that b***h' in front of the entire world."

Years later, the leak of the unedited footage of Swift and West's conversation provided further evidence that she had been truthful. In her opening remarks, she included, "I would very much like to be excluded from this narrative, one that I have never asked to be a part of, since 2009."

Nevertheless, Billboard revived an old narrative in a video clip meant to highlight Swift's influence.

Fans demand apology from Billboard for including controversial Kanye West video featuring Taylor Swift

Fans were instantly outraged by the editor's decision and reacted quickly.

Swift's fan account, posted on X, previously referred to as Twitter, "@billboard It has been evident for some time that certain members of your staff seem to hold a grudge against Taylor for reasons unknown. However, using that music video in a clip intended to celebrate her success is not only unprofessional, it’s extremely problematic. You owe it to your BIGGEST artist of the century to do better."

In another Tweet, the same fan account asked Billboard to apologize, "Billboard has now deleted the video on Instagram following backlash. @billboard this falls far short of the bare minimum, the very least you could do is apologize publicly to her."

Another slammed, "That's disgusting thing #Billboard."

"Billboard really needs to show more respect to the artist of the century! Taylor deserves better than this," a Swiftie claimed.

A person remarked, "Billboard I’m ashamed of you guys … do better."

Another added, "Shame on them. How they can do that? Pathetic."

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