Instead of embracing Celine Dion (right), Taylor Swift (centre) shared her joy with her collaborators. Photo: Reuters
A picture is worth a thousand apologies. Taylor Swift seemingly did not mean to snub presenter Celine Dion during her acceptance speech for Album of the Year at the 2024 Grammys – as many social media users believed.
The Shake It Off singer, who made Grammy history with her fourth Album of the Year win – was photographed backstage with the pop music veteran after the internet buzzed about her not acknowledging Dion.
Dion’s son Rene-Charles Angelil escorted her onstage during a rare, unannounced appearance to present the final award at Sunday (Feb 4) night’s ceremony.
The 55-year-old singer, who won the same award in 1997, has been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome.
Instead of embracing the My Heart Will Go On vocalist, Swift grabbed the gramophone and looked back to share her joy with her collaborators, including Lana Del Rey, whom she pulled up onstage.
Grammy watchers took to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, to express their lament about what they perceived at disrespect on Swift’s part.
User @BevSmithWrites wrote: “My biggest disappointment of the Grammys was Taylor Swift winning Album of the year and hugging all of her people but taking the trophy from Celine Dion as if she was the hat-check girl, and not seeming to realise how very amazing it was that Celine was standing there at all.
“Taylor Swift receives her Grammy from the GOAT Celine Dion and she doesn’t even make eye contact with her. Disrespectful,” @Knesix tweeted.
A self-professed “Taylor Swift Anthropologist” rationalised: “I think it’s kinda crazy that despite going out of her way to clap and stand up for everyone, including Celine and everyone she lost to, Taylor has to be scolded for not doing the exact right thing in an overwhelming moment.”
Before the Album of the Year announcement, the Anti-Hero star could be seen giving Dion a standing ovation and singing along to The Power Of Love as she walked on stage.
Whether or not Dion felt slighted, the two singers shared a moment backstage that was captured by professional cameras. In the photograph, the two singers hug and smile backstage just minutes after the award.
Neither of their reps has commented about the supposed controversy. – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
