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There is no denying that Taylor Swift is a global superstar and a force to be reckoned with both on and off stage. But behind her perfect porcelain skin and signature wide blue eyes and classic matte red lips might not be the gentle heart she’s been portraying all these years. The stars below sure don’t think she’s the “loyal friend, [and] fierce protector of hearts” her webpage boasts her to be. Most of the people on this list are even former “friends” of the pop princess turned mega diva.
The thing is, when you’re a mere mortal you maybe post your beef to Facebook, change your relationship status or have an uncomfortably loud public argument or two. But when you’re a multi-platinum recording artist, you decide instead to write and release chart-topping slam songs, which like it or not, is the basis of Ms. Swift’s career. You’d have her porcelain skin too if you were throwing that much shade.
In several accounts, the celebs below apologized for their comments and said their comments were “taken out of context,” but that seems to be an unlikely case for this many people. In all honesty though, Taylor definitely seems to have a knack for coming out on top. I guess when you’re Taylor Swift, there isn’t much you can’t buy, even if it’s an apology.
15. Miley Cyrus
Remember that time Miley Cyrus gyrated against a foam finger in a nude coloured latex body suit at the MTV VMA’s? Well, when Taylor Swift was asked for her thoughts on her former friend’s performance she commented that she found the performance “Grotesque.” A source close to Cyrus told okay magazine “[Miley] She thinks Taylor is stuck up and can’t deal with how prissy she is. Miley can’t stand girly girls,” they added. “She’s telling everyone that Taylor is a ‘sexless, frigid ice princess’ who ‘bored’ Harry Styles out of bed.” Well, it can’t be all strippers and burritos Miley! But Miley had some words of her own when she was asked about Swift’s mega-hit “Bad Blood.”
"I'm not trying to be in the squad," Cyrus said. "None of my friends are famous and not because of any other reason than I just like real people who are living real lives, because I'm inspired by them."
When talking about the music video "Bad Blood" (Which Cyrus hilariously mocked ala Walking Dead style on SNL) Miley said "I don't get the violence revenge thing, that's supposed to be a good example? And I'm a bad role model because I'm running around with my titties out? I'm not sure how titties are worse than guns." I guess we’ve all learned a thing or two about who’s disgusting.
14. Justin Bieber
Is there anyone Justin Bieber does like? I’m sure if such a list of people did exist, it wouldn’t take much more than a post-it to hold all their names. What we can say for sure (as sure as anyone can be about what goes on in the mind of an erratic man-child), Taylor Swift wouldn’t be one of the select few.
Things didn’t start out so bad for the pop-singing tweens. In fact, back in 2009, the fresh-faced pair shared her stage twice during the U.K. leg of her Fearless World Tour. Bieber broke his foot while performing “One Time” at Wembley, but managed to power through, giving both sets of fans an amazing show. They even sat down together after the show to explain what happened to his YouTube followers (who were the bread and butter of Bieber’s business back then). Adorable, right? Well, the pair was such a hit, that she re-invited him back for the LA stop of her 2011 Speak Now Tour, and their chemistry was AMAZING!
Things took a bit of a turn in 2012 when Bieber (who was well into his on-again, off again relationship with Taylor’s BFF Selena Gomez) pranked Swift on the March season premier of Punk'd. What did he do? He made her think that she blew up a boat that they had told her was being used for someone’s wedding. He kept the ruse up and allowed the cameras to roll until Taylor was in tears. That doesn’t really sound like a solid bonding experience.
She claimed that she would never get back at him, but to this day Justin blames Swift’s meddling in the demise of his relationship with Gomez. He’s even gone on to mock her several times via social media “Do you even know Drew?..You don’t even know Drew! Who’s Drew?” he mocked after his rendition of “Tear Drops on My Guitar.” Mock all you want Bieber, she still sunk your Battleship.
13. Tina Fey/Amy Poehler
Fey and Poehler have a LONG-standing beef with Swift that started way back in 2013. The year had barely begun, but the jokes were flying during the duo’s gig hosting the Golden Globes. During one particular monologue, Fey commented that the recently single Swift should “stay away from Michael J Fox’s son!” Amy responded: “Or go for it, go for it.” To which Fey replied: “She needs some ‘me’ time to think about herself.” Now, it’s not clear if it was losing to Adele, her recent break-up with One Direction front man Harry Styles, or being the brunt of jokes about her misery, Swift left the event early that night.
Taylor fired back in an interview with Vanity Fair, saying “There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.” Which is ironic considering that Tina Fey’s hard work has changed the game for female comics, and Poehler’s Smart Girls YouTube channel’s mission is to empower young girls. Unlike Ms. Swift, who sends the message that your relationship status determines your value and happiness. Hey, pot? This is the kettle calling, YOU’RE BLACK!
True to their comedic roots, the queens of comedy had the last laugh. When the pair hosted the show again in 2014, Fey congratulated her co-host on her first Golden Globe win by saying, "I just want to say congratulations again to my friend Amy Poehler, I love you, and there's a special place in hell for you.”
12. Michael J. Fox
So after Tina Fey and Amy Poehler roasted Ms. Swift during the 70th Annual Golden Globe awards, everyone wanted Michael J. Fox’s opinion, but he seemed to just smile awkwardly at every camera he saw the rest of the night. During Anne Leary’s book party a few days later, New York Magazine’s Vulture got the former Back to the Future star to open up about his feelings about Taylor and his son, Sam Fox.
"No. No ... Just back off. I don’t keep up with it all," he said. "But Taylor Swift writes songs about everybody she goes out with, right?" Right! "What a way to build a career."
When asked how he would react if Sam brought Taylor home for dinner he said, "I wouldn’t even know who she was," But it'd probably dawn on him after the breakup song hit the radio. "Yeah, exactly," he said while suggesting a name for the single. "'Sam, You Piece of Shit.' Oh … that was the girl you brought home!"
A few days later Swift tweeted “Hey everybody, Michael J. Fox got in touch with me today and we are good. Thank you for having my back.” Michael J. Fox has also said in many interviews he was misquoted, but he won't be the last one to claim that.
11. Drake Bell
The former Nickelodeon star is notorious for his obnoxious remarks, and it seems that he scales the snide-ness of his comments to the size of the celeb’s success. On his way out of a club one fall evening in 2012 he was asked for his thoughts on rumours Taylor Swift was dating Harry Styles by PopCandiesTV. He responded (fairly drunkenly I might add) “Taylor Swift? Is she making the rounds? She has been making the rounds.” His friends swooped in and did their best to keep him from digging himself further into obscurity. Because seriously, I’ll bet Swift can make him disappear.
While Swift has never publicly addressed Bell’s comments she was asked in a recent interview with Vogue what she wished she had known when she was 19. She said to the interviewer "If I could talk to my 19-year-old self, I'd just say, 'Hey, you're gonna date just like a normal 20-something should be allowed to, but you're going to be a national lightning rod for slut shaming,'” I guess she just shook it off.
10. Kanye West
It may have started almost a decade ago, but there is a day in 2009 pop culture buffs can recall like it was yesterday. It was mid-September, and the who’s who of the music industry gathered in New York City for the MTV Video Music Awards, including 19-year-old Taylor Swift, nominated for her hit "You Belong with Me". Her category Best Female Video was stacked with powerhouse names like Beyoncé, Katy Perry, and Kelly Clarkson, but it was Swift that took home the Moonman.
Kanye was reportedly shocked that Queen Bey hadn’t won, and when Taylor took the stage to give her acceptance speech, West came charging onto the stage, grabbed the mic, (from her hand no less!) and infamously said “Imma let you finish, but..." you know how the rest goes. This moment in music history started their feud, but several apologies later these two would transition into frenemies, and eventually, colleagues who "respect" each other. At least until recently, as you'll learn below.
9. One Direction
One of the largest influences on Taylor’s album 1989 might have arguably been her flash in the pan romance with One Direction heartthrob Harry Styles. The two went public back in December 2012. From "Style" to "Out of the Woods" to "Wonderland," there seem to be plenty of clues that the guy she’s talking about in these songs is Styles, whom she broke up with in January 2013 (yes, like 4 weeks later). That’s are some pretty intense lyrics for a 4-week fling Tay.
In an interview with Us Weekly, Styles said, "It would be hypocritical for me to say she couldn't do it because everybody writes songs based on personal experience. I can't say I'd have dated someone less famous to avoid it."
So naturally, being a songwriter himself, he put pen to paper and in October 2015, the boys of 1D debuted a single named “Perfect” whose chorus contains the line “And if you’re looking for someone to write your breakup songs about / Baby, I’m perfect.” Not to mention the fact that fans did side by side comparisons of the song, which lead many to believe the song was intended to mock Swift. I wonder if she likes the taste of her own medicine.
8. Demi Lovato
The former Disney Chanel turned modern day pop diva became friends with Taylor Swift back in 2008. All seemed calm in girl world. There were occasional ups and downs between the two, which seemed to stem from two people the girls have in common: Selena Gomez, and Joe Jonas. In 2010, while out signing autographs a fan asked, “How’s Selena?” to which Lovato replied, “Ask Taylor.” Implying that somehow the girls were on the rocks with Demi on one side, and Taylor and Selena on the other. But when Lovato entered rehab in late 2010 for bulimia, a self-harming disorder and drug abuse, she said Swift was one of the only people who reached out for support. Once again, all seemed well in girl world.
That was, until 2013 when Demi fired shots at musicians who use their relationships to sell records. “A lot of celebrities don’t open up to their fans, they just tell them what they want to hear,” she said in a radio interview. “They don’t really tell them things that can benefit their lives, they just, you know, maybe flaunt around a boyfriend and sell a couple of albums. That’s not what my career is about.”
She followed up those comments in an interview with Company Magazine saying, "I don't care about Taylor Swift's love life. I don't care about Harry Styles' love life. I care about mine. I find it weird that people are so obsessed with other people's love lives!" Because what negative comments about Taylor go decontextualized?
7. Kanye West (Part 2)
Wait, Kanye wasn't done controversial? Color me shocked. After the 2009 Grammy’s the pair did a lot of work to repair the damage their feud caused, and in 2015 it was Taylor Swift who presented West with the Video Vanguard Award at the 2015 VMAs. "I'm really happy for you and Imma let you finish but Kanye has had one of the greatest careers of all time," Swift playfully joked as he prepared to deliver his speech. It would seem as though the two had come full circle, and dare I say it, as Kim, Kanye and Taylor smiled for pictures, we though maybe just maybe they could be friends.
It only took them 6 years to finally get to a peaceful place. You would think nothing could tear a friendship like that apart. But it all came crashing down thanks to one line in a song. "I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex / Why? I made that bitch famous," the rapper, 38, boasts in his new single “Famous”. While West has been adamant that Swift approved the line, she claims she wasn’t asked about the lyric. It was a sweet 15 minutes guys, but the love fest is clearly over. Especially because you better believe Kim had something to say about this.
6. Kim Kardashian-West
Kim Kardashian-West is known for many things, holding her tongue is not one of them, so it was no shock when the outspoken mom of two openly took her husband, Kanye West’s side in the “Famous” drama.
The Kardashian-West camp has remained adamant the lyric had been approved, and when she sat down with GQ, they, of course, asked her to clarify what had happened during the production. “She totally approved that,” the star told GQ.
“She totally knew that that was coming out. She wanted to all of a sudden act like she didn’t. I swear, my husband gets so much s--t for things [when] he really was doing proper protocol and even called to get it approved. What rapper would call a girl that he was rapping a line about to get approval?”
Apparently, West hires videographers to film every part of his process when creating a new album, which includes footage of the call where they allege Swift okay-ed the line. Kim claim’s Taylor's legal team sent a letter saying: “Don’t ever let that footage come out of me saying that. Destroy it.”
Taylor’s team has already responded to the interview saying: "Taylor does not hold anything against Kim Kardashian, as she recognizes the pressure Kim must be under and that she is only repeating what she has been told by Kanye West, however, that does not change the fact that much of what Kim is saying is incorrect.”
Those who have seen the music video for “Famous” which was recently released, will understand why this feud is probably far from over.
5. Demi Lovato (Part 2)
Seems there’s enough “Bad Blood” between Lovato and Swift, that one blurb was not enough to contain it. In fact, even Swifts most charitable efforts are scrutinized. It seems Kesha’s list of celeb supporters now includes Ms Taylor Alison Swift. In late February of this year, Taylor Swift’s rep told PEOPLE, “In a show of support, Taylor Swift has donated $250,000 to Kesha to help with any of her financial needs during this trying time." Who knew that a lengthy court battle, and a contract that prevents you from working would eventually exhaust a person’s resources? Probably Dr. Luke, but more on that another time.
Lovato, another supporter of Kesha took to Twitter to share her thoughts on Swift’s “generosity”
'Take something to Capitol Hill or actually speak out about something and then I'll be impressed" she wrote. But Taylor wasn’t the only one catching shade. When @proudofswift posted a comment to Instagram accusing Lovato of taking attention from the real issue to bring the spotlight onto a 'new rivalry' between herself and Taylor, Demi was infuriated!
"How the f**k am I making this about myself? At least I'm talking about it," she posted, getting embroiled in an argument with the fan moderator, inadvertently confirming in her rage her 'unimpressed' tweet was indeed referring to Swift's silent donation.
"Not everyone has 250k to just give to people. Would love to but I didn't grow up with money and def haven't made as much as her. At least I speak up about s*** that's uncomfortable to talk about rather than trying to be politically correct 24/7. There's no "rivalry" I just give more f**ks than other people and would rather start a dialogue ABOUT WOMEN COMING FORWARD ABOUT BEING RAPED than throw money at one person," she stated.
Since her outburst, Lovato has said she is going to take a break from her social media accounts, saying she can’t handle the trolling. I guess she can only dish it out.
4. John Mayer
So back in 2009, Mayer and Swift collaborated on the hit “Half of My Heart” and I guess they just got swept up in the moment and the 21-year-old songstress started dating the 32-year-old notorious ego maniac. Thankfully, their relationship was short-lived, the separated in February 2010, a mere 5 months before the October release of her 2010 album Speak Now, purely coincidental, right? Well, her thinly veiled account of their breakup in “Dear John” suggests otherwise, and left her ex “humiliated.”
“I never got an e-mail. I never got a phone call,” he said. “I was really caught off-guard, and it really humiliated me at a time when I’d already been dressed down. I mean, how would you feel if, at the lowest you’ve ever been, someone kicked you even lower?” He followed up with “I will say as a songwriter that I think it’s kind of cheap songwriting, I know she’s the biggest thing in the world, and I’m not trying to sink anybody’s ship, but I think it’s abusing your talent to rub your hands together and go, ’Wait till he gets a load of this!’ That’s bulls—.”
That’s funny though considering his own hit "Paper Doll" is rumoured to be written about Swift due to several references in the song. It’s really just one line, but Fans picked it up right away. In the chorus, John sings, "You're like 22 girls in one / And none of them know what they're running from / Was it just too far to fall for a little paper doll?" 22, like the hit single Swift released on her following album celebrating her birthday? Huh.
3. Katy Perry
This collection of A-List Anti-Swifters would never be complete without the beef that exists between these two pop princesses. Like many of the other stars on this list, Perry and Swift used to have almost a sickeningly sweet friendship. From adorably candid photos at award shows, and affectionate tweets back and forth, the girl power was going strong... Or so we thought.
In 2012, Perry started her on again, off again, I think they’re back on again, who can even keep track any more relationship with John Mayer. And just like that, the two were rumoured to be on the outs. But it wasn’t until 2013 that fans had their proof, when the usually chummy pair bumped into one another at the Grammy’s, and... Shook hands? I guess I would feel awkward too if I ran into my former good friend, who is currently dating my ex that I tore into shreds in a song, whose backup dancers I’m going to start using on my tour next month. That doesn’t really sound like someone you want to be within strangling distance of. Just saying. Keep posted though, because you haven't read the last of their beef.
2. Katy Perry (Pt.2)
When it came time for Katy to hire dancers for her “Prism” promotional she, of course, reached out to Lockhart Brownlie, Leah Adler, and Scott Myrick, who had all worked on her California Dreams tour in 2011. They just happened to also be booked as dancers on Taylor’s “Red” tour. The dancers, who say Perry is like “family” to them, accepted Katy’s offer, and later said in interviews, "it was a great experience and [Taylor]'s a great person to work with, but then Katy contacted us. Obviously, we were with Katy for two and a half years, she's like family to us, so we were, like, 'Absolutely.' We weren't really dancing in Taylor's tour anyway so I had got a little bored and I really wanted to do a promo tour.''
That brings us to Taylor’s infamous Rolling Stone interview when she talked all about the inspiration behind her new single “Bad Blood.”
"For years, I was never sure if we were friends or not. She would come up to me at award shows and say something and walk away, and I would think, 'Are we friends, or did she just give me the harshest insult of my life?' [Then last year] she did something so horrible. I was like, 'Oh, we're just straight-up enemies.' And it wasn't even about a guy! It had to do with business. She basically tried to sabotage an entire arena tour. She tried to hire a bunch of people out from under me. And I'm surprisingly non-confrontational — you would not believe how much I hate conflict. So now I have to avoid her. It's awkward, and I don't like it."
Well, Taylor, if there’s a special place in hell for women who don’t support other women, you and Poehler might just end up roommates.
1. Calvin Harris
When I first started this list, it was hard to decide who hates Taylor Swift the most. However, in the week following their break-up, it’s become overwhelmingly clear that place belongs to Scottish DJ Calvin Harris aka Adam Richard Wiles (his real name).
For 15 months, the world watched the insanely photogenic Tayvin fall in love. No one had seen either of them at such ease before. We hoped he was the one for her, and lightly joked that she wouldn’t have anything to sing about anymore. Boy, were we wrong!
Swift was always clear that she wanted to “take things [with Harris] as they come,” and in an April issue of Vogue said "I'm in a magical relationship right now. And of course, I want it to be ours, and low-key … this is the one thing that's been mine about my personal life." Well, this is awkward. After splitting with Harris in early June, she has been moving at breakneck speed with new beau Tom Hiddleston who paparazzi caught on some pretty infamous rocks in Long Island, two weeks after her split from Harrison.
To really add insult to injury, one week after going public, Tom and Taylor hopped a plane to the U.K to meet his mother. Something she claimed was “too far a trip” to meet Harris’s family. While he's mostly smiles when cameras are around (minus that whole thing with his Range Rover,) sources close to Harris say he thinks the whole thing is "f****ng laughable!" I’m sure you’re hurt now Calvin, but trust me, you clearly dodged a bullet.
Sources: people.com, dailymail.co.uk, metro.co.uk, buzzfeed.com, popsugar.com, businessinsider.com
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