Taylor Swift photo by Sheryl Nields, courtesy of Big Machine Records.
September 14, 2009 — Last night Taylor Swift enjoyed her first-ever MTV Award for Best Female Video (for "You Belong With Me") — but not without controversy.
Taylor began her acceptance speech by saying, "I sing country music, so thank you so much for giving me a chance to win a VMA award." Then rapper Kanye West appeared onstage, taking the mic out of Taylor’s hand. "Yo Taylor, I’m really happy for you, I’m a [sic] let you finish. But Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time!" he yelled. Cameras cut to Beyonce, looking mortified at Kanye’s rude outburst.
Following Kanye’s outburst, Taylor performed "You Belong With Me." Later in the evening, when Beyonce’s "Single Ladies" video won a Moon Man award for Best Video of the Year, she graciously called Taylor back to the stage.
"I remember being 17 years old, up for my first MTV Award with Destiny’s Child," she said, "and it was one of the most exciting moments in my life. So I’d like for Taylor to come out and have her moment."
After Taylor was finally allowed to finish her acceptance speech, she told MTV, "I was standing there and I saw Kanye up on the stage. I was really excited ? and I kind of wasn't excited anymore."
Taylor praised Beyonce, saying, "They told me to be ready just in case she might want to say something. It was just so wonderful and so incredibly classy of her and just gracious and wonderful to let me say something. She's just been my hero and one of my idols ever since I was little. She's a great person."
Kanye later apologized on his blog for the interruption, saying, "I'm sooooo sorry to Taylor Swift and her fans and her mom."
Taylor’s fellow country stars rallied in support. Blake Shelton tweeted, "Sorry y'all but we're just a little bit protective of Taylor Swift around here!! Hey Kanye .. By around here, I mean the world!! Moron ?"
Love and Theft tweeted, "Kanye when're you gonna figure out you're NOT the "voice of our generation?" No one thinks you're as awesome as you're convinced you are."
Gloriana tweeted, "congratulations sweetheart! Keep ur head up. We love u!"
Two Foot Fred posted one of the funniest tweets: "When I run into Kanye West at the next awards show we are both at, I am gonna run over his ASS with my scooter ? SERIOUSLY!"
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