Billboard faces backlash for featuring Taylor Swift’s wax figure from Ye’s 'Famous' video
Billboard is facing massive backlash after a controversial social media post that featured Taylor Swift’s wax figure from Ye’s (formerly Kanye West) infamous "Famous" music video.
The video, which included a wax figure of Swift lying in bed with Ye, ignited public outrage back in 2016 and has now resurfaced, angering fans once again.
The controversy unfolded when Billboard posted a video celebrating Taylor Swift’s achievement of ranking as the second greatest pop star of the 21st century, just behind Beyoncé. While the video aimed to highlight Swift's remarkable career, it included a brief clip from Ye’s "Famous" music video. The inclusion of the wax figure, which many considered demeaning, sparked a wave of fury among Swift’s fans, who saw it as an inappropriate reference to the singer's long-standing feud with Ye.
Swift’s fanbase, known as the "Swifties," quickly took to social media to express their outrage, calling the move disrespectful. The fan page Taylor Swift Charts suggested that some Ye fans at Billboard may still hold a grudge against the singer, further fueling the fire. Fans have demanded an apology from Billboard, with many threatening to boycott the platform using the hashtag #BillboardIsOverParty.
Billboard deleted all of my 5 comments under their instagram asking them to apologize. Apparently they won’t. Shame on you billboard #billboardisoverparty pic.twitter.com/v1Z0OvU6fc
— trem ⸆⸉ ོ (@tayrilivia) November 27, 2024
just saw what billboard had posted… gross. #BillboardIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/nUYWIfpTIS
— drew 💌 (@dailytaylortea) November 27, 2024
. @billboard karma’s gonna track you down #BillboardIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/WcTxuddhif
— 𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒏 (@midnightsxfolk) November 27, 2024
The incident has brought renewed attention to the public feud between Swift and Ye, with Swift’s fans now calling out Billboard for objectifying the star, a sentiment that she has previously spoken out against. Billboard has since removed the post in response to the backlash, but it remains unclear whether they will issue a formal apology.
As the situation continues to unfold, the public’s reaction to Billboard’s controversial decision highlights the lasting impact of the feud between Taylor Swift and Ye, as well as the power of fan influence in today’s social media-driven world.