Country star Zach Bryan, who topped the Billboard Hot 100 last year with “I Remember Everything,” deleted his account on social platform X Sept. 18 after tweeting something pretty controversial — for Taylor Swift fans, anyway — and now he’s apologizing.
In the now deleted post, captured by PopCrave, Bryan wrote, “eagles > chiefs. Kanye > Taylor. Who’s with me.”
Of course, Swifties were not having this opinion, since it not only referred to Taylor’s long-running feud with Kanye West, now known as Ye, but also dissed her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. After all the backlash, Bryan deleted the account, but took to his Instagram Story on Sept. 19 to apologize.
“for the record guys I wasn’t coming for Taylor the other night. I was drunkenly comparing two records and it came out wrong,” he explained. “And I know there’s a lot of stuff that clouds around Ye and I was speaking purely musically.”
“I love Taylor’s music and pray you guys know I’m human and tweet stupid things often. Hope one day I can explain this to her. Twitter gets me in trouble too much and I’d say it’s best to stay off it,” he continued.
“I’m sorry to any Taylor fans I p***** off or let down. Love you guys and I’m trying my best!” he concluded.
The “Pink Skies” singer recently released the album The Great American Bar Scene, which coincidentally features one of Taylor’s alleged ex-boyfriends, John Mayer.
The Aftermath of a Controversial Tweet
The post was widely seen as a disrespectful dig at Swift, especially considering the long-standing animosity between Swift and West. It also fueled the rivalry between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. The “Something in the Orange” singer, in the aftermath of the public backlash, took the swift step of deactivating his account on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, and turned to his Instagram Story to offer a heartfelt apology to Swift and her fans. This episode highlights the perils of drinking and tweeting, a lesson many of us have learned the hard way.
A Drunken Comparison Gone Wrong
In his apology, Bryan emphasized that he was not intentionally targeting Swift. He explained that the tweet was a drunken comparison of two records, and that it came out wrong. He admitted that he’s human and prone to making mistakes, especially while under the influence. This apology is notable for its sincerity and Bryan’s acknowledgment of his error. It’s a reminder that we all make mistakes, particularly when we’re not thinking clearly.
The Swifties Respond
The Swifties, known for their fierce loyalty to Taylor Swift, were quick to come to her defense, taking to social media to express their outrage at Bryan's disrespectful post. The online community responded with a wave of criticism directed towards the country singer, who felt the heat from the collective force of the devoted Taylor Swift fanbase. The strength and loyalty of Swift's fandom are a testament to the power of her music and her connection with her fans.
Lessons Learned
Bryan’s apology is a lesson in itself. It teaches us that our words have consequences and that it’s important to be mindful of what we say, especially on social media. The incident also underscores the power of the internet and the need to be cautious about what we post. The story is a cautionary tale for all social media users, emphasizing the importance of thinking before posting and avoiding alcohol before engaging in online conversations. The internet has made it easier than ever to share our thoughts and feelings, but we must remember that words can hurt, and that it’s important to be respectful of others.
Moving Forward
In his apology, Bryan expressed his admiration for Swift as a musician, and expressed his desire to one day explain his drunken tweet to her. He also promised to take a break from tweeting to ground himself. It remains to be seen whether Swift will respond to Bryan's apology, but it is clear that the incident has left a lasting impact on his career. The story, though, serves as a reminder that even celebrities are human and make mistakes. The incident also demonstrates the power of the internet and the importance of being thoughtful in our online interactions. It is a reminder that words have consequences, and that we should always strive to be kind and respectful in our online communications.
The Power of Music
The Taylor Swift-Kanye West feud is not just an internet meme, it’s a story about the power of music and its impact on our lives. The dispute, which has played out on social media and through their music, reflects the passions and emotions that music evokes. The saga is a reminder that music is more than just entertainment. It can be a source of inspiration, comfort, and connection. It can also be a powerful tool for expressing our feelings and opinions. In the end, the Taylor Swift-Kanye West saga is a testament to the enduring power of music and its ability to move us in ways that words alone cannot.