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Kanyegate
Kanye West disrupting Taylor Swift at this year's VMAs. Photo courtesy of www.parade.com
Written by Haleigh Krantz - Staff Writer
What started out as the most anticipated VMAs in years and the most magical moment for country singer Taylor Swift, soon became the stuff of nightmares. The 19-year-old musician ascended to the MTV Video Music Award’s stage to accept her award for ‘Best Female Video’, her first Moonman ever.
“I sing country music so thank you so much for giving me a chance to win a VMA award,” Swift beamed. Suddenly, a certain hip hop artist KNOWN for his outrageous and awkwardly timed statements appeared on the stage next to Swift and asked for the mic. As everyone watching on their TV screens and sitting in the audience tried to figure out if this was a planned stunt, Kanye West began to speak.
“Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you, and I’m going let you finish, but Beyonce had one the best videos of all time,” said West. He then handed the mic back to Swift, shrugged his shoulders, and got down from the stage. The camera panned to Beyonce who looked utterly mortified, then back to Swift who stood stock still looking equally mortified. The singer tried to continue with her speech but was unable to go on, MTV videos cut to a pre-recorded clip of Tracy Morgan and Eminem. Kanye was subsequently removed for the remainder of the show.
The backlash was, dare I say, Swift and severe. Twitter, the social networking site where people can post their thoughts from their phones was instantly deluged with other celebrity’s thoughts.
P!nk: “Kanye West is the biggest piece of s— on earth. Quote me. My heart goes out to taylor swift. She is a sweet and talented girl and deserved her moment. She should know we all love her. Beyonce is a classy lady. I feel for her, too. It’s not her fault at all, and her and taylor did their thing.”
Katy Perry: “F— u Kanye. It’s like u stepped on a kitten.”
Joel Madden: “WOW Taylor Swift’s first VMA and she didn’t even get to ENJOY it. Kanye You were just a bully on that one man.”
Kat Dennings: “I’m throwing away my Kanye glasses. They were 8 bucks, no skin off my apple.”
It should be noted that Katy Perry and P!nk were both nominated for Best Female Video alongside Taylor Swift.
Near the end of the show, Beyonce won for Best Video of the Year. During her acceptance speech Beyonce stated that she remembered what it was like to win her first moonman and wanted Taylor to have her moment. Swift joined Beyonce on stage and was able to finish her speech without interruption.
At about 2 am that night, West posted an apology on his blog, in all caps, that has since been removed:
“I’m sooooo sorry to taylor swift and her fans and her mom. I spoke to her mother right after and she said the same thing my mother would’ve said. She is very talented! I like the lyrics about being a cheerleader and she’s in the bleachers! …………………… i’m in the wrong for going on stage and taking away from her moment!……………. beyonce’s video was the best of this decade! I’m sorry to my fans if I let you guys down! I’m sorry to my friends at mtv. I will apologize to taylor 2mrw. welcome to the real world! everybody wanna booooo me but i’m a fan of real pop culture! No disrespect but we watchin’ the show at the crib right now cause … well you know! i’m still happy for taylor! Boooyaaawwww! you are very very talented! I gave my awards to outkast when they deserved it over me… that’s what it is!! i’m not crazy yall, i’m just real. Sorry for that! I really feel bad for taylor and i’m sincerely sorry! Much respect!!”
That apology was later replaced with this:
I feel like Ben Stiller in “Meet the Parents” when he messed up everything and Robert De Niro asked him to leave… That was Taylor’s moment and I had no right in any way to take it from her. I am truly sorry.
Along with these blogs, the singer appeared on the premiere episode of Jay Leno’s show, although he was originally slated only to perform his hit single ‘We Run This Town’ with Jay-Z and Rhinna. West took the opportunity to again apologize.
Swift appeared on The View two days after the incident, ‘He has not personally reached out or anything.’ she said. After her appearance, a publicist of ‘The View’ released a statement saying that after the episode aired; Kanye personally called Taylor and apologized for his actions, which she gracefully accepted.
Since then, both Taylor and Kanye seem to have moved on, with Swift actively asking recent interviewers to please not bring it up. The rapper has stayed out of the spotlight, and it’s unknown what his next move will be. West had told Leno during his emotional interview that he was planning to take a break from the music industry and assess his behavior.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Well written.