Kanye West apologizes to Taylor Swift for VMA outburst... sort of
On his blog, Kanye tries to explain his VMA actions. With lots of capital letters.
Kanye West and Amber Rose arrive at the VMAs. Little did he know what would come next.
Faster than you can say Joe Wilson, Kanye West has apologized to Taylor Swift for ruining her moment at MTV's Video Music Awards on Sunday.
In case you missed it (and the million or so Tweets and Facebook postings and links to it), early on in the awards, Swift upset both Britney Spears and Beyonce by snaring the best female video award for "You Belong To Me." She had just started a very sweet (does she give any other kind?) acceptance speech when West jumped on stage and said he was going to let her finish her speech, but "Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time." Swift stood there like a deer caught in the headlights-they sure as hell don't act this way at the CMAs-until MTV wisely interrupted and went to commercial.
For the rest of the evening, whenever West's name was mentioned, he was booed. When Beyonce did eventually win, she graciously called Swift on stage to give her acceptance speech, uninterrupted.
West posted his apology on his website, in all caps, just in case we couldn't hear him loudly enough... He apologized, but still got in a few digs at Swift, in our mind, with the line about "I WILL APOLOGIZE TO TAYLOR 2MRW. WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD!!!! EVERYBODY WANNA BOOOOO ME BUT I'M A FAN OF REAL POP CULTURE!!!"
What the hell does that mean?
As you know, West is no stranger to hopping on stage and griping about not winning, but it's usually when he doesn't win-like when he didn't win best new artist at the Grammys several years ago. Below is his apology in full and in caps. (We're taking this from Entertainment Weekly because West's site strangely went down for routine maintenance just minutes after he posted the apology. Thanks EW.com!)
"I'M SOOOOO SORRY TO TAYLOR SWIFT AND HER FANS AND HER MOM. I SPOKE TO HER MOTHER RIGHT AFTER AND SHE SAID THE SAME THING MY MOTHER WOULD'VE SAID. SHE IS VERY TALENTED! I LIKE THE LYRICS ABOUT BEING A CHEERLEADER AND SHE'S IN THE BLEACHERS! ........................ I'M IN THE WRONG FOR GOING ON STAGE AND TAKING AWAY FROM HER MOMENT!................. BEYONCE'S VIDEO WAS THE BEST OF THIS DECADE!!!! I'M SORRY TO MY FANS IF I LET YOU GUYS DOWN!!!! I'M SORRY TO MY FRIENDS AT MTV. I WILL APOLOGIZE TO TAYLOR 2MRW. WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD!!!! EVERYBODY WANNA BOOOOO ME BUT I'M A FAN OF REAL POP CULTURE!!! NO DISRESPECT BUT WE WATCHIN' THE SHOW AT THE CRIB RIGHT NOW CAUSE ... WELL YOU KNOW!!!! I'M STILL HAPPY FOR TAYLOR!!!! BOOOYAAAWWWW!!!! YOU ARE VERY VERY TALENTED!!! I GAVE MY AWARDS TO OUTKAST WHEN THEY DESERVED IT OVER ME... THAT'S WHAT IT IS!!!!!!! I'M NOT CRAZY YALL, I'M JUST REAL. SORRY FOR THAT!!! I REALLY FEEL BAD FOR TAYLOR AND I'M SINCERELY SORRY!!! MUCH RESPECT!!!!!"
So? Is it enough? How do you feel about West's behavior?
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About This Blog
Melinda Newman is the former West Coast Bureau Chief for Billboard Magazine with more than 15 years of experience in the music industry. She covers music and entertainment for the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, Associated Press, MSN, AOL and other outlets. Recent interviews include Taylor Swift, Pink, Brad Paisley, Foo Fighters, Jonas Bros. and Snow Patrol.
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September 14, 2009 at 2:05AM EST Reply to CommentI think he need a reality check, first of all Beyonce's music video was not the best of the year I personally think its a stupid video. Second I dont feel his apology was very sincere he is dissing Taylor in the apology. Like really thats not an apology he is just backing up what he already said on stage. He needs to just chill out and I think he should not be allowed at any award shows for a while since he seems to making this behavior a habit. Right now he DISGUSTS ME!!
September 14, 2009 at 2:16AM EST Reply to CommentI think he's out of place, and out of line. Picking on Taylor Swift is like picking on a defenseless kitten.
Also, I feel this is relevant: http://www.cracked.com/blog/what-if-kanye-west-is-retarded/
MacBeth
September 14, 2009 at 2:31AM EST Reply to CommentI think the Southpark episode is more relevant now than ever. http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/224094/
dan
September 14, 2009 at 2:32AM EST Reply to CommentHey y'all... Making fun of Kanye for being a tool? Totally fair play... But let's try to keep the swearing and dead mother talk out of it, eh? Gotta keep things pseudo-family-friendly in our comment sections...
-Dan
4REAL
September 14, 2009 at 2:40AM EST Reply to CommentOK.. I understand everyone wants do defend poor Taylor.... Personally, I don't know her or her music -- but Kanye was definitely wrong. It was very disrespectful to interrupt her acceptance speech like that.
That being said... I also accept his apology. He he acknowledged her talent and his error. He seems to have had time to reflect and even more time to check himself.
But to Mr. Orange... That's not called for... Why do all of the insults, stereotypes, and downright hatred have to come out.. The venom that you spew is definitely not warranted. This is the problem with "America"... We all want to hate others, but are appalled when others say one negative thing toward ourselves. Hate only breeds more hate.... And the last I recalled, Kanye didn't express any hate for anyone, only more love for Beyonce than for Taylor... Is that wrong? Yes, the way he said it was absolutely wrong... But he did not call her a ***, ***, *** -- as you called him.... So before you take the moral high road, just remember that its people like YOU that is destroying the fabric of this country.
downwithdisrespect accepting his apology the FIRST time he did this was one thing, enough is enough. his ego has taken over and it's disgusting. DONT BUY HIS RECCORDS TEACH HIM A LESSON!!!!
September 14, 2009 at 3:08AM ESTmark
September 14, 2009 at 2:56AM EST Reply to Commentjust how old lis west??? 5 ??? 6 ???? he sure acts like a child! GHROW UP KANYE !!
exkanyefan
September 14, 2009 at 3:00AM EST Reply to Commentit's gotten too embarASSing to be his fan. he's a tool and an ASShole his ego is beyond redemption at this point. the kid can go live in obscurity with cris brown for all i care, im not going to listen to him, buy his songs or watch anything he's on. and kanye if your reading this your MOTHER WOULD BE ASHAMED
TVDIVA
September 14, 2009 at 3:04AM EST Reply to CommentBeyonce showed real class when she had Taylor Swift come back on stage and finish her speech.
Kanye was showed he was prime grade a jackass jumping up on stage and embarassing himself, Taylor and Beyonce.
Hopefully Kanye will learn from this but I doubt it.
kanyeisalooser
September 14, 2009 at 3:05AM EST Reply to Commentim not even a fan of swift there but what kanye did was lame. why even bother with him, lameass appology man too little too late man i dont give a shit anymore about how supposedly sorry you are, it's bs you'll just do it again anyway, only next time nobody will be watching you.
Rob
September 14, 2009 at 3:13AM EST Reply to CommentSo it's the women that get to show once again that they have class. Kudos to Beyonce, and West demonstrates, if nothing else, that he does not know the meaning of the word apologize. Presumably Taylor is not "real pop culture" but he means "no disrespect"?
I'm surprised the audience was able to hear his lame comments with his head so far up his ass.
FthatFOOL
September 14, 2009 at 3:15AM EST Reply to CommentMost of you have summed it up pretty well already, but let me add --
I barely no who Taylor Swift is (a hottie, no doubt) but THE PEOPLE WHO WATCH MTV selected her fairly, and so she's the winner in that category, end of story. D*pshit, classless, Kanye is welcome to disagree but not by jumping onto stage during a live show and insulting that young lady. Jay-Z would have never pulled that nonsense. Good for Beyonce for showing so much class, her stock went way up with me.
JR
September 14, 2009 at 3:17AM EST Reply to CommentSounds like he's been eating some fishsticks
Annie
September 14, 2009 at 3:21AM EST Reply to CommentHe is right about the whole this being the real world thing BUT taking the mic away and basically insulting someone to their face is just wrong. That's something you just don't do in any situation. Maybe he was right and maybe Beyonce did have the better video (i wouldn't know because i haven't seen either of them) but if you don't agree and you want to complain that's what the internet is for.
Nate
September 14, 2009 at 3:33AM EST Reply to CommentI'm not a Beyonce fan by any stretch, but she showed some major class tonight, especially in comparison to Kanye. What Kanye did was way uncalled for. Even if you disagree with a selection shut the hell up and applaud. Do not go on stage if it isn't your turn, do not steal someone's limelight. If you disagree, say so later, but that was Taylor's moment and she obviously earned it. I'm no country music fan, but if se was the winner, it's her time. Kanye needs to grow a pair and sith the f*ck down.
CeCe I definitely agree with what you said about Beyonce, that was VERY classy of her to let Taylor have her moment, and I am very much not a Beyonce fan, never have been.
September 14, 2009 at 10:59PM ESTang
September 14, 2009 at 3:36AM EST Reply to CommentThats kinda funny.... He has a point, its the real world nothin works out like peace and rainbows! Though he was rude to steal her moment. At least he didnt talk about her behind her back though, LOL! However, Im not a fan of either of them so dont think im stickin up for either side!
wow
September 14, 2009 at 3:36AM EST Reply to Commenthe is a douche bag who deserves a kick to the uterus.
johnny
September 14, 2009 at 3:43AM EST Reply to Commenthe is a total jerk.absolute idiot. how dare you that beautiful young ladys speech.!!!
September 14, 2009 at 3:56AM EST Reply to CommentOh come on. Someones got to do it. Taylor Swift is a cum-stain on a matress of the legecy of country music. Remember Leanna Rymes? I bet Swifts manager does.
spencer cum stain? grow up and get some class.
September 14, 2009 at 4:24AM ESTSADState
September 14, 2009 at 3:56AM EST Reply to CommentSo basically it's more of Kanye being a crybaby queer when an award doesn't go to himself or someone of his designation. This is the same guy that started getting racial after he lost the award to Fallout Boy a few years back.
Kanye is an overrated hack, who resorts to pathetic tantrums to keep himself relevant. He makes legitimate hip-hop artists look bad, and if I were Beyonce (or anyone else), i'd renounce my friendship to him. He's an embarassment.
Brandon
September 14, 2009 at 3:58AM EST Reply to Commenthe's a piece of trash; if a white guy had snatched the mic from Beyonce and pulled some crap like that; they would be drowning in a sea of racist backlash. He should be blacklisted from future award events.
Jen
September 14, 2009 at 4:15AM EST Reply to CommentI don't know which is worse, his pathetic, attention-seeking behavior in stealing Taylor's moment, or his disgusting attempt at writing an apology. Writing anything, actually. Oh wait, this is the guy who proudly and loudly proclaims that he doesn't read. Ugh. He makes me sick. I can't believe someone this trashy and moronic is famous.
Gina I agree with you... thats not a style of person I will waste my money on ever again... was a fan now not a fan... sorry but if he cant be happy for someone else then I cant accept his so called "sorry plea".. this to me says alot about him... Whats done is done and cant be fixed and was offensive in my book... sorry kanye but your a sore loser and I mean loser.. THE FANS VOTED SO DEAL WITH IT!!! Cry Baby...
September 14, 2009 at 4:29AM ESTDave
September 14, 2009 at 4:22AM EST Reply to CommentHe should just get in another car accident. And this time when they wire his mouth shut, it should stay wired shut.
Glenn
September 14, 2009 at 4:23AM EST Reply to CommentWhat do you expect from an airhead? You do something harmful on air and apologize off the air? Man, that's dumb!
Kristen
September 14, 2009 at 4:30AM EST Reply to CommentThe Truth Hurts!
Scott
September 14, 2009 at 4:31AM EST Reply to CommentKanye's a duchebag. If it were just some random person running up on stage, the security would've tackled them. Why didn't they with Kanye? Shoulda beat his little midget punk ass down and thrown him out into the alley. BOYCOTT HIS CRAPPY MUSIC, AS WELL AS ANYTHING ELSE HE COLLABORATES ON. No pay, go away.
Max
September 14, 2009 at 4:49AM EST Reply to CommentKanye: Once one of the biggest artists is now the biggest asshole... What kind of a pathetic little man would do something like that. It is one of the most immature things anyone could do.. He says he is keepin it real but he is just acting like a kid in highschool... I thought people like him were supposed to be role modles for the younger generation. instead he is teaching them to act like pigs. go DIAF kanye
marcy
September 14, 2009 at 11:35AM EST Reply to CommentHe did it before, he'll do it again. Someone needs to teach him to mind his own business. There are plenty of artists out there who deserve to win and sometimes they don't. That's life! Ya can't always get what you want! GROW UP, KANYE!!!!!
Pete
September 16, 2009 at 6:08AM EST Reply to CommentUnfortunately Mr West was right. Ms Swift is barely talented, maybe as a song writer (maybe??) maybe as a composer(really?????) but the girl cnnot sing as evidenced by her live performances. Mr West chose an inappropriate way to express what many people think about Ms Swift.
Steve
September 20, 2009 at 10:30AM EST Reply to CommentGuy's a f*cking pig. Plain and simple. Love her or hate her (I'm not a fan), that was Taylor Swift's moment and he ruined it.
But whatever, that's in the past, can't change it. But how about being a MAN, and making a real apology, without justification, just some good ol' fashioned contrition.
Of all the low-class, disgusting things I have seen, this is definitely in my top ten.
Fan
September 20, 2009 at 8:46PM EST Reply to CommentLike ass holes everyone has one. You have your opinion Kanye that is what you like and think is best but Taylor whether we liked the video ourselves or not beat Beyounce far and square. Live with it.