An infamous image of pop star Taylor Swift was used by US music outlet Billboard to declare her the “second greatest” pop star of the 21st century, which infuriated people upon seeing it included in the video.
Beginning in August, when Katy Perry was revealed to be number 25 on the list, Billboard began a ranking of 25 “greatest “pop stars of the century.
The list, which was selected by the Billboard staff considers a variety of factors beyond just record sales, such as the cultural influence and legacy of each artist throughout the first 25 years of the century.
Beyoncé claimed the top spot, while Swift came in at number two in this week’s announcement of the top two artists.
While the post is meant to celebrate the pop star’s milestones throughout the years, there is a particular section in the video that caught everyone’s eye.
Kanye West’s contentious 2016 music video for the song “Famous” was featured by Billboard as one of the highlights of Swift’s 20-year career to date.
In addition to the video featuring nude wax figures of several celebrities including Swift, the song’s lyrics implied that he and the pop singer “might still have sex” because he made her famous.
The song and video fueled Swift and West’s already raging conflict, which erupted once more in 2020 after a 25-minute phone conversation between the two surfaced online.
Billboard has removed the original video and posted a new one that does not include the clip from the rapper’s music video.
Social media users took the discourse online sharing their thoughts about Billboard’s video along with the tag #BillboardIsOverParty.
Okay, Billboard‘s intention was to recap everything that happened in her entire career, i get that. But was it really necessary to include THAT scene?
Just nasty, disrespectful and unprofessional. #BillboardIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/aUuqi2wnLx— Elias⸆⸉ (@ryoqko) November 27, 2024
just saw what billboard had posted… gross. #BillboardIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/nUYWIfpTIS
— drew 💌 (@dailytaylortea) November 27, 2024
Billboard NEEDS to apologize to Taylor. Publicly. What even went through their head? “Oooo! Why don’t we post Taylor’s trauma!!” Like..? No. #billboardisoverparty pic.twitter.com/TtKewJ2R92
— Lyla Is On Her Own, Kid 💙 (@LylaTheSwiftie) November 27, 2024
#billboardisoverparty. that’s it. i don’t even know what to say to this. disgusting.
— sarah (@saraahhca) November 27, 2024
Deleting the video means nothing you need to apologize to Taylor this is disgusting. #BillboardIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/cSa1KMBrLL
— Kaylie (@tayshrts) November 27, 2024
no bc imagine you have literally like what? 60 seconds to capture THE TAYLOR SWIFT 18 years of legacy. you have months to prepare it. it’s going through several hands and approvals. your top charting artist. and you do THIS? nastier than we can comprehend #billboardisoverparty pic.twitter.com/3ONy4ZSAMJ
— paulina 🪶 (@foreverwwinter) November 27, 2024
Highly unprofessional of them to use a clip from THAT video while highlighting her career… Talk about a womans career without bringing men into it specially the ones who did her dirty, alright billboard?? #BillboardIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/hJUM68kU9z
— Jessalyn🧸 (@jessuiscalme) November 27, 2024
#Billboardisoverparty .. this is not something to stay silent on … not only did they disrespect her with the #2 ranking and now they’re using a clip from that psycho’s sexist music video pic.twitter.com/O1YKzm1zNp
— anas (@thetorturedanas) November 27, 2024
Several artists, including Christina Aguilera, Dua Lipa, Kendrick Lamar, and Jennifer Lopez had to settle for an “honorable mention” and a spot outside of the coveted top 25.
Just hours later, Billboard issued a public apology, acknowledging that they had included a clip that misrepresented Taylor Swift.
We are deeply sorry to Taylor Swift and all of our readers and viewers that in a video celebrating Swift’s achievements, we included a clip that falsely depicted her. We have removed the clip from our video and sincerely regret the harm we caused with this error.
— billboard (@billboard) November 28, 2024
Swift has yet to comment on the issue.
Other POP! stories you might like:
Debate on love vs. priorities heats up after ‘Hello, Love, Again’ release
BTS sets new record as all seven members land Billboard 200 top 10s as soloists
Red Velvet’s Wendy goes viral for her vocal coaching on new survival show
Dan Schneider permitted to file a defamation lawsuit over ‘Quiet on Set’ documentary
Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Short n’ Sweet’ tour receives criticism for being ‘child inappropriate’