November 28th 2024.
Billboard recently found themselves in hot water with Taylor Swift fans after posting a controversial image that some are calling 'revenge porn.' The popular American music source, known for their influential music charts, shared a countdown of the top 25 pop stars of the last century, starting in August. However, when they announced Taylor Swift as number two on the list, things took a turn for the worse.
The outlet included a montage video of Swift's accomplishments, which featured a clip from Kanye West's music video for his song 'Famous.' This particular video caused controversy for featuring a nude wax figure of Swift. The feud between Swift and West began back in 2009 when he infamously interrupted her acceptance speech at the VMAs. The tension continued when 'Famous' was released, with Swift claiming she did not give permission for her likeness to be used in the video.
But four years later, a leaked phone conversation between the two revealed that Swift was aware of the song's lyrics, though she was not informed about the use of the word 'b****.' Fans were understandably upset that Billboard would include this clip in their video, and they quickly called it out as 'revenge porn.' The outlet has since taken down the video and issued an apology.
However, many fans were not satisfied with the apology, feeling that it didn't address the issue adequately. One fan pointed out that including this type of footage is not a simple 'error,' and it shows a lack of respect for the artists they are trying to celebrate. Others questioned why it took so long for Billboard to apologize and felt that they were only sorry because they were caught.
Some fans also brought up the fact that this is not the first time Billboard has included controversial footage in their videos, mentioning other female artists like Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, and Rihanna. The inclusion of this clip also sparked a conversation about revenge porn, with some fans educating others on the definition and consequences of sharing private sexual material without consent.
Despite the backlash, neither Taylor Swift nor Kanye West have commented on the controversy. But one thing is for sure, Billboard will need to be more careful in the future when it comes to the content they choose to share. As the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility.
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