Billboard posted a video to their social media to highlight Taylor’s achievements, but they also included a clip from Kanye West’s music video, Famous. In the music video, a wax figure of Taylor was created and set next to other high-status individuals, including Kanye, in a bed together. Taylor appeared to be naked and the lyrics, “I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex / Why? I made that b***h famous,” are rapped by Kanye.
Taylor later came forward expressing her displeasure with the song and video, including the use of her likeness as a doll. She made it clear she didn’t give consent to Kanye to refer to her as “that b***h.” While Kim Kardashian released footage which appeared to show Taylor consenting, the mega pop star responded, saying: “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. 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 unedited footage of Taylor and Kanye’s conversation was leaked which further proved that Taylor was telling the truth. In her initial statement she added: “I would very much like to be excluded from this narrative, one that I have never asked to be a part of, since 2009.”
However, Billboard drudged up the old narrative in a video clip which was meant to show Taylor’s impact. Fans were immediately appalled by the editor’s choice and responded swiftly. Popular Taylor Swift fan account, Taylor Swift Charts, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “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.”
Another fan wrote: “K I’m on their side here why the f*** would they think it’s ok to use a mv that was basically revenge porn in something meant to celebrate her????”
“Using a revenge porn pic in a video which is supposed to highlight taylor swift’s career, chris brown’s violence in an article about rihanna, bringing up britney’s conservatorship abuse and nicki minaj’s beefs just shows that billboard is misogynistic asf,” while another said: “The celebration of Taylor Swift’s career cannot be summarized by a music video, where Kanye West’s neo-Nazi simulates sexual rape with her in a bed.”
Taylor has led a charge against revenge porn, especially after AI images of the star circulated, depicting her in a sexual light at Kansas City Chiefs game. The star consistently speaks out against the rampant sexualization of herself and her likeness, including a continued emphasize on her relationships rather than her craftsmanship.
Billboard took down the post after a myriad of backlash, but fans don’t believe that’s enough. Taylor Swift Charts wrote: “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.”
