Taylor Swift received backlash for being ‘disrespectful’ by ‘ignoring’ Celine Dion while accepting the award for Album of the Year at the Grammys on Sunday.
Dion made a surprise rare appearance at the ceremony, amid her battle with stiff-person syndrome, to present Swift, 34, with the honor – which she herself won 27 years ago.
Swift – who was nominated for her 2022 record Midnights – became the first person to win the accolade four times and excitingly made her way to the stage at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Dion, 55, handed her the award, but fans pointed out that Swift didn’t acknowledge her and didn’t make eye contact, quickly looking back to celebrate the moment with her collaborators instead.
However, there appeared to be no ill-feelings as the iconic pair later posed-up happily backstage.
Taylor Swift received backlash for being ‘disrespectful’ by ‘ignoring’ Celine Dion while accepting the award for Album of the Year at the Grammys on Sunday
Dion – who is battling with stiff-person syndrome – handed Swift the award, but fans pointed out that the singer didn’t acknowledge her, quickly looking back to celebrate the moment with her collaborators instead
‘Taylor Swift didn’t even hug or acknowledge Celine Dion. Can’t f*****g stand this t**t,’ one upset fan wrote on social media afterwards.
Taylor Swift completely ignoring Celine Dion like she was some trophy model presenter was #GRAMMYS was wild. She’s won this three times and usually such a pro. But to ignore an icon, who is dealing with so much? Yikes.’
‘As someone who has defended Taylor, I can’t defend this. No acknowledgment of Celine whatsoever,’ another added.
‘Taylor Swift will never EVER live down ignoring Celine Dion at the Grammys.’
‘Taylor Swift not acknowledging Celine Dion, a legend, at the Grammys, but dragging Lana to that stage? Smh,’ another person wrote in reference to Lana Del Rey being on stage.
‘Taylor not acknowledging Celine and then SNATCHING the Grammy from her… JAIL.’
Dion was visibly emotional as she walked onstage with the support of eldest son Rene-Charles Angelil, 23, to cheers and a standing ovation and to present Album of the Year.
She said: ‘Thank you, all! I love you right back. You look beautiful. When I say I’m happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart.’
‘Those who have been blessed enough to be here at the Grammy Awards must never take for granted the tremendous love and joy that music brings to our lives and to people all around the world.’
Swift didn’t make eye contact with Dion, as she quickly grabbed the award
She became the first person to win the accolade four times
Celine looked incredible in a terracotta coat and glittering jewelry as she clapped for Taylor
The big win made Swift the first person to ever win the top prize four times as she was previously tied with Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, and Paul Simon for the record
‘And now it gives me great joy to present a Grammy Award that two legends Diana Ross and Sting presented to me 27 years ago. These are the outstanding nominees for album of the year.’
Celine then announced Swift’s acclaimed album Midnights had won the award – making Grammy history as she won the award for the fourth time.
Celine looked incredible in a terracotta coat and glittering jewelry as she was helped onto stage.
The star’s fight to continue her career will be chronicled in new documentary, I Am: Celine Dion.
The hitmaker, announced in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome – an extremely rare disorder that makes the muscles in the torso and limbs alternate between spasming and being rigid. She revealed she would be stepping away from performing.
The new documentary – captured over more than a year of filming – follows the star as she battles to continue her normal life and career amid her diagnosis – and vows the condition ‘won’t define her’ as she vows to raise awareness.
Swift was nominated in six categories at the ceremony – Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for Midnights, Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for ‘Anti-Hero’ and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her ‘Karma’ collaboration with Ice Spice.
The pop star won Best Pop Vocal Album and the night’s biggest honor, Album of the Year.
Swift beat out an impressive field for the award, including: Boygenius – The Record, Janelle Monáe – The Age of Pleasure, Jon Batiste – World Music Radio, Lana Del Rey – Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd,Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation, Olivia Rodrigo – Guts, and SZA – SOS.
The big win made her the first person to ever win the top prize four times as she was previously tied with Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, and Paul Simon for the record.
Fans quickly took online to express their thoughts as they called Swift out for ignoring the music icon
Taylor thanked her friends and many collaborators during her acceptance speech but one notable name which was missing was boyfriend Travis Kelce who will be playing in the Super Bowl next week.
She said: ‘I want to say. I get to work with one of my best friends who is not only one of my best friends, but also a once in a generation producer that’s Jack Antonoff. I’m so lucky. And my engineer, I want to say thank you to Sam Dew, sound wave.’
Taylor had pal Lana Del Rey join her on stage as she was also nominated in the top category and is also a collaborator with Jack Antonoff and made sure to praise the artist during her speech.
The A-lister continued: ‘ Lana Del Rey who is hiding, but I think so many female artists would not be where they are or have the inspiration without the work she has done. She is a legacy artist, a legend in her prime right now. I’m so lucky to know you went to be your friend.’
The star concluded her triumphant speech by expressing her love of music from the recording studio, to performing concerts around the world, and even earning major awards.
Taylor said: ‘ I would love to tell you that this is the best moment in my life, but I feel this happy when I finish a song or when I cracked the code to a bridge that I love, or when I am short-listing a music video, or when I am rehearsing with my dancers or my band or getting ready to go to Tokyo to play a show.
‘For me, the award is the work. All I want to do is keep being able to do this. I love it so much. It makes me so happy. It makes me unbelievably blown away that it makes some people happy who voted for this award too. All they want to do is keep doing this. So thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to do what I% love so much! Mind blown! Thank you so much!’
An hour-and-a-half before that the A-lister earned her milestone 13th Grammy Award on Sunday evening as she dropped a huge secret that she has been keeping from her Swifties for two years.
However, there appeared to be no ill-feelings as the iconic pair later posed-up happily backstage
Taylor also posed alongside Celine’s son Rene-Charles Angelil, 23
Celine, who has stepped away from her singing career in light of her health woes, was visibly emotional as she walked onstage with the support of eldest son Rene-Charles to cheers and a standing ovation and to present Album of the Year
‘Those who have been blessed enough to be here at the Grammy Awards must never take for granted the tremendous love and joy that music brings to our lives and to people all around the world’ she said
Earlier in the night Swift used her 13th Grammy Award win on Sunday to announce a surprise new album coming out on April 19th
Right after she left the stage the racy cover of the album, titled The Tortured Poet’s Department, was shared to her Instagram page
She also posted a photo of a mysterious handwritten note
‘I want to say thank you to the fans by telling you a secret that I have been keeping from you for the last two years, which is that my brand-new album comes out April 19th,’ she told fans
‘It’s called The Tortured Poet’s Department. I’m going to go and post the cover right now backstage,’ she added
The star was awarded with her 13th Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album, for her last record Midnights
During the show Taylor was seated by Jack Antonoff and Lana Del Rey
Miley Cyrus, 31, was one of the biggest winners of the night as she earned the coveted Record Of The Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for her hit track Flowers
Song Of The Year went to Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas for What Was I Made For? which was featured on the soundtrack for top grossing film of 2023 Barbie
During his acceptance speech for the Global Impact Award Jay-Z, 42, bashed the awards show for failing to ever award wife Beyoncé the coveted album of the year award, despite her multiple nominations in the category and her record-breaking number of Grammy wins
‘I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than everyone and never won album of the year,’ he said
SZA was the most nominated artist coming into the event with nine as she even earned two prior to the gala airing but she hit the stage first when she took home Best R&B Song bringing her total to three
Taylor earned the coveted Best Pop Vocal Album for Midnights when she revealed some shocking news – announcing a new album in April.
‘I want to say thank you to the fans by telling you a secret that I have been keeping from you for the last two years, which is that my brand-new album comes out April 19th.’
‘It’s called The Tortured Poet’s Department. I’m going to go and post the cover right now backstage.’
Keeping true to her word minutes later she shared the racy cover for her upcoming 11th studio album, which saw her laying on a bed in black underwear and a sheer black top, and caused her Instagram page to temporarily go down.
Swift started out her speech by sharing that it was her 13th award – a number she considers lucky.
‘Okay, this is my 13th grammy. Which is my lucky number. I don’t know if I’ve ever told you that.’
‘I want to say thank you to the members of the recording academy for voting this way, but I know that the way that the recording academy voted is a direct reflection of the passion of the fans.’
Minutes after she left the stage, the artwork for the new album was shared to her Instagram, with the caption: ‘All’s fair in love and poetry… New album THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT. Out April 19 [white heart emoji].’
Miley called out the audience while performing her hit track, Flowers, telling the crowd, ‘Why are you acting like you don’t know this song?’
Dua Lipa opened up the show with an energetic performance of new single Training Season
Billie Joel performed at the awards show for the first time in 30 years just days after he announced that he will be releasing his first song since 2007
Tracy Chapman brought down the house with a rousing rendition of her hit Fast Car
The legendary songwriter, 59, made a rare appearance as she rocked out on stage with Luke Combs, whose cover of the 1988 song was a crossover hit in 2023
Olivia Rodrigo performed her haunting single Vampire
Eilish performed Barbie ballad What Was I Made For?
Fantasia Barrino honored Tina Turner with a rendition of her hit Proud Mary
Rapper Travis Scott was among the performers and thrilled fans with a Mad Max-style medley
She also posted a photo of a handwritten note that read: ‘And so I enter into evidence / My tarnished coat of arms / My muses, acquired like bruises / My talismans and charms / The tick, tick, tick of love bombs / My veins of pitch black ink / All’s fair in love and poetry…’
She signed off the text with: ‘Sincerely, The Chairman of the Tortured Poets Department.’
The album announcement received over 7 million likes in just an hour.
Taylor scooped the Best Pop Vocal Album prize ahead of Kelly Clarkson (Chemistry), Miley Cyrus (Endless Summer Vacation), Olivia Rodrigo (Guts), and Ed Sheeran (‘-‘).
Her last album Midnights was released in 2022, marking her tenth original studio album.
Fans have been speculating that the singer will soon be re-releasing her 2017 Reputation album, as she has done with her previous records, though it seems nobody was expecting a new album announcement.
Miley Cyrus was one of the biggest winners of the night as she earned the coveted Record Of The Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for her hit track Flowers.
The 31-year-old’s shining moment came toward the end of the night as she beat out an impressive field for Record Of The Year including: Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For? [From the Motion Picture “Barbie”], Boygenius – Not Strong Enough, Jon Batiste – Worship Olivia Rodrigo – Vampire, SZA – Kill Bill, Taylor Swift – Anti-Hero, and Victoria Monét – On My Mama.
Earlier in the night Miley shocked as she beat out Taylor Swift to earn the first Grammy Award of the night which also happened to be her first ever win on music’s biggest night.
The Wrecking Ball singer triumphed in the Best Pop Solo Performance category for her hit track Flowers which was announced by fellow music megastar Mariah Carey.
Song Of The Year went to Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas for What Was I Made For? which was featured on the soundtrack for top grossing film of 2023 Barbie.
Billie, 22, and her 26-year-old brother beat out quite the field including: Dua Lipa – Dance the Night (also from Barbie the Album), Jon Batiste – Butterfly, Lana Del Rey – A&W, Miley Cyrus – Flowers, Olivia Rodrigo – Vampire, SZA – Kill Bill, and Taylor Swift – Anti-Hero.
Earlier in the night Swift thrilled on the red carpet in a black and white custom Schiaparelli Couture look – consisting of a strapless gown and gloves
Taylor’s white gown featured ruching along the center with tie details along the back
She appeared to be wearing a Reputation coded look with the color scheme and clock choker – with the time set as midnight
Taylor posed with Lana on the red carpet; the singers collaborated on Taylor’s Midnights album
Lana looked incredible in a sheer black gown that had floral accents; she paired it with bow heels and a large bow in her hair
Miley and Dua sizzled in metallic ensembles
She paired the look with a 70s bouffant
Rodrigo, 20, wore an archival Versace gown, specifically from 1995
Doja Cat suffered a wardrobe malfunction as she hit the red carpet
Paris Jackson, the daughter of Michael Jackson, wowed in a cut-out black gown and strappy heels
Sofia Richie Grainge made her first red carpet appearance since her pregnancy announcement; pictured with husband Elliot Grainge, who is the founder and CEO oof 10K Projects record label and the son of Lucian Grainge, the chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group
Eilish with her brother FINNEAS on the red carpet; Billie wore a Barbie emblazoned bomber jacket in honor of her song What Was I Made For? which is from the Barbie movie soundtrack and nominated for multiple Grammys. She is wearing Chrome Hearts
Beyonce and husband Jay-Z brought their daughter Blue Ivy, 12, to the Grammys
Beyonce looked beautiful in her black studded jacket and mini skirt with a cowboy hat, rocking her platinum blonde tresses; pictured with Victoria Monet
Chloe Bailey showcased her incredible figure in a gold and black one-shoulder cut-out gown while Heidi Klum flashed the flesh in a black and silver number
Kacey Musgraves looked leggy in a black strapless number with a thigh-high split
Billy Joel arrived with wife Alexis Roderick and their daughters Della Rose, eight, and Remy Anne, six
Mark Ronson with his wife Grace Gummer, the daughter of Meryl Streep
Chrissy Teigen wore a black and pink rosette accented gown while posing on the red carpet husband with John Legend
SZA was the most nominated artist coming into the event with nine as she even earned two prior to the gala airing but she hit the stage first when she took home Best R&B Song bringing her total to three.
Victoria Monet beat out an impressive field including Coco Jones, Gracie Abrams, Fred Again.., Ice Spice, Jelly Roll, Noah Kahan, and The War and Treaty for Best New Artist.
Meanwhile, during his acceptance speech for the Global Impact Award Jay-Z, 42, bashed the awards show for failing to ever award wife Beyoncé the coveted album of the year award, despite her multiple nominations in the category and her record-breaking number of Grammy wins.
‘I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than everyone and never won album of the year,’ he said.
Dua Lipa opened up the show with an energetic performance of new single Training Season.
Meanwhile Miley called out the audience while performing her hit track, Flowers, telling the crowd, ‘Why are you acting like you don’t know this song?’
A few seconds later, the camera briefly cut to some of the celebrities standing up and grooving to the upbeat track, including Swift.
Tracy Chapman brought down the house with a rousing rendition of her hit Fast Car.
The legendary songwriter, 59, made a rare appearance as she rocked out on stage with Luke Combs, whose cover of the 1988 song was a crossover hit in 2023.
Eilish performed Barbie ballad What Was I Made For? while Olivia Rodrigo performed her haunting single Vampire.
Fantasia Barrino honored Tina Turner with a rendition of her hit Proud Mary.
Among other memorable performances of the night was Billie Joel, who thrilled the crowd at the awards show for the first time in 30 years just days after he announced that he will be releasing his first song since 2007.