Taylor Swift news diary: Pop star faces backlash from African American community over '1830s' lyrics
Welcome to our daily Taylor Swift news diary, your go-to source for the latest updates and insights into the world of one of today's most influential and celebrated artists.
Delve into Taylor Swift's dynamic career, public appearances, and the buzz within the entertainment industry as we provide you with a bite-sized overview of the happenings in the life of this multi-talented and ever-evolving artist.
Kim Kardashian faces backlash from Swifties after Taylor Swift's diss track
Kim Kardashian's Instagram follower count has seen a significant drop following the release of Taylor Swift's alleged diss track, 'ThanK you, aIMee.' Prior to the track's release, Kardashian had approximately 364.3 million followers, but since then, she has lost around 100,000 followers, bringing her count down to 363 million. The song includes lyrics that some speculate are directed at Kardashian, particularly referencing her mother and containing hidden messages in the title that spell out "Kim" in capital letters.
Swift's song, part of her album 'The Tortured Poets Department,' has led to backlash against Kardashian from Swift's devoted fanbase, known as Swifties. The track's opening lines mention a bronze statue of "Aimee," which some interpret as a reference to Kardashian's likeness. Despite the controversy, Kardashian's follower count remains significant, but the backlash highlights the power of Swift's influence and her ability to spark discourse with her music.
Author faces backlash for criticizing Taylor Swift's new album
Author Vanessa Angélica Villarreal is facing criticism after launching a scathing attack on Taylor Swift and her latest album, 'The Tortured Poets Department.' In a vitriolic rant on X (formerly Twitter), Villarreal branded Swift as a "billionaire racist" and a "Nazi Barbie." She criticized Swift for not mentioning the ongoing conflict in Palestine in any of the 31 songs on her new album.
Villarreal specifically took issue with Swift's use of the word "torture" in the album title, which she deemed inappropriate given the context of real-world atrocities. She also accused Swift of focusing on "vapid, rotted" songs about a "racist dude," seemingly referring to Matty Healy, who is rumored to be the inspiration behind some of Swift's new songs.
The author's comments sparked outrage online, with many users expressing disbelief and disapproval of her harsh criticism towards Swift.
Taylor Swift faces criticism over lyrics about the 1830s
Taylor Swift's latest album, 'The Tortured Poets Department,' has stirred controversy with a lyric that expresses a desire to live in the 1830s. In the song "I Hate It Here," Swift sings about wishing to live in the 1830s but without the racism and forced marriages.
However, the line has sparked backlash, particularly among African Americans, who point out the prevalence of slavery and racial discrimination during that era. Critics argue that the 1830s were marked by systemic racism, with Black people facing significant oppression and discrimination.
Anti-racism education content creator Kiki Rae Real highlighted the complexities of racism during the 1830s, emphasizing that even those who opposed slavery often held racist beliefs. Real pointed out that racism was ingrained in society, affecting all aspects of life for Black Americans.
READ MORE: Taylor Swift's 1830s Lyrics Spark Backlash from African Americans
Decoding the 'Fortnight' video: Is Taylor Swift hinting at Travis Kelce connection?
Taylor Swift is renowned for embedding hidden messages and Easter eggs in her music and visuals, prompting her dedicated fanbase to dissect every detail. In her latest music video for "Fortnight," Swift's subtle choice of imagery has sparked speculation among fans about a potential reference to her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
The scene in question features Swift atop a phone booth, reaching for Post Malone's hand, with a close-up shot of her wrist adorned with a bracelet resembling the one Kelce wears.
While some may overlook this detail, Swifties are buzzing with theories, suggesting it could be a nod to the couple's friendship bracelet beginnings.
Taylor Swift triumphs over Travis Kelce in Webby Awards
The 28th Annual Webby Awards has unveiled its impressive roster of winners, showcasing industry leaders across various internet domains. Organized by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), this prestigious event honors excellence in digital content creation.
Each category presents two distinct accolades: the Webby Award and the Webby People’s Voice Award. While the former is determined by IADAS, the latter is decided through fan voting.
Hosted by Amber Ruffin, the upcoming awards ceremony on May 13 promises a star-studded affair, with highlights broadcasted on Instagram and TikTok.
Ahead of the grand celebration, PEOPLE has an exclusive sneak peek into some of the standout winners. Notably, Taylor Swift emerged victorious over her beau Travis Kelce in the Best Creator or Influencer Collaboration, Features (Social) category, securing both the Webby Award and the People’s Voice Award.
READ MORE: Taylor Swift Beats Travis Kelce for Webby Award — See All the Winner Highlights! (Exclusive)
More from MEAWW
Reason behind Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift not sharing same room before Chiefs' games revealed
