Country music artist Zach Bryan found himself embroiled in controversy after a now-deleted tweet making a comparison between Taylor Swift and Kanye West. In his tweet, Bryan asserted “eagles > chiefs”and “Kanye > Taylor,”which ignited significant backlash from fans of Swift.
This tweet referenced Swift’s relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce while ranking Kanye West above her in the musical landscape. The backlash was so intense that Bryan felt compelled to deactivate his X (formerly Twitter) account.
Despite the setback on X, Zach Bryan quickly took to Instagram Stories to deliver a series of apologies. In these, he explained the context behind his tweet and underscored his respect for Swift’s contributions to music.
In a heartfelt statement, Bryan expressed regret for the tweet, admitting it was shared while he was under the influence of alcohol. He noted in his Instagram Stories:
“I respect her so much as a musician that the last thing I want is people thinking I don’t appreciate and love what she has done for music.”
Zach Bryan Faces Backlash and Issues Apology
Bryan’s controversial tweet prompted immediate negative reactions, particularly from Taylor Swift’s loyal fans. The comparison he drew between Swift and West, who have a fraught history stemming from the infamous 2009 MTV Video Music Awards incident, was perceived by many as an inappropriate remark.
Attempting to rally support, Bryan asked, “Who’s with me?”Unfortunately, the incendiary nature of his tweet led to swift condemnation, causing him to disable his X account shortly thereafter.
Despite stepping back from X, Bryan remained active on Instagram where he issued a public apology on Thursday, September 19. He clarified that his initial comment was not intended to diminish Swift’s achievements but was a misguided attempt to compare their musical works.
“For the record guys I wasn’t coming for Taylor the other night. I was drunkenly comparing two records, and it came out wrong. I know there’s a lot of stuff that clouds around Ye, and I was speaking purely musically.”
He further expressed,
“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.”
Zach Bryan conveyed his regret over the situation, acknowledging the impact his words had on Swift’s fans.
“I’m sorry to any Taylor fans I pi*sed off or let down. Love you guys, and I’m trying my best!”
In a follow-up post, Bryan revealed more about his personal struggles and admitted that these challenges may have influenced his tweet.
“I think I was projecting a little. To be completely honest, it just came off as rude and desensitized to Taylor.”
During his apology, Bryan reiterated his admiration for Swift and her influence in the music industry.
“Not saving face here, but Taylor has been a force of nature for as long as we’ve all been growing up, and I admire that.”
The singer concluded his series of apologies by advising fans to avoid mixing alcohol with social media, repeating, “Don’t drink and tweet.”
As part of his Instagram posts, Zach Bryan announced his intention to take a break from X and to focus on his mental well-being, sharing that the past year has been particularly challenging for him, affecting his ability to balance personal and professional life.
Currently, Bryan’s X account remains inactive. However, fans speculate that he might return to the platform after taking some much-needed time off.
Zach Bryan is presently on his Quittin’ Time tour, which will continue until December 14, 2024, with a stop in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His tour features a variety of supporting acts, including The Middle East, Jason Isbell, and the Turnpike Troubadours.
Despite the recent controversy surrounding his tweet, Bryan’s latest apologies indicate his desire to move forward both personally and professionally, all while maintaining notable chart success with his recent album. Both he and Taylor Swift currently share significant presence on the Billboard 200 charts, with their albums positioned well within the top 10.
While Zach Bryan’s controversial tweet may have invited backlash, his openness about his mistakes and commitment to personal growth signal a readiness to progress in his career.
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