The 2024 Grammy Awards were filled with unforgettable moments, but one brief incident had some fans speculating about a possible sign of disrespect between Taylor Swift and Celine Dion.
However, it turns out that social media chatter may have blown things out of proportion, as the two iconic artists were spotted sharing a warm hug backstage at the awards ceremony.
Swift, 34, clinched the Album of the Year award for her 2022 record Midnights. But despite her record-breaking achievement of becoming the first artist in history to win the award four times, Swift initially faced criticism for what some perceived as a lack of acknowledgment towards Dion.
The legendary singer - known for her singles like 'My Heart Will Go On' and 'It's All Coming Back to Me Now' - presented Swift with the prestigious award just moments after her mere presence at the awards show drew a standing ovation from the live audience.
Swift clearly couldn't hide her excitement as she rushed to the stage to accept the honor. However, it was Swift's brief interaction— or lack thereof — with Dion on stage that fueled social media speculation. Watch the moment unfold below:
"Taylor Swift ignoring very sick legend Celine Dion during the Grammys while accepting Album of the Year. Wow. Classless personified," another scorned.
"I love Taylor Swift but she didn’t hug nor acknowledge the presence of Celine Dion who just presented her the Album of the Year award," a second tweeted.
Others echoed similar sentiments, with comments like: "Taylor Swift will never EVER live down ignoring Celine Dion at the Grammys."
"The irony that Celine Dion took a moment to acknowledge the legends Diana Ross & Sting who presented her the same award 27 YEARS AGO… this was not a good look Taylor, I’m sorry," another added.
Despite the initial social media frenzy, it appears that any perceived tension between the two artists was unfounded.
Backstage at the Grammys, Swift and Dion shared a heartfelt hug, dispelling rumors of any rift. The genuine moment - and their beaming smiles - between the two talented musicians put to rest the speculation and showed that there are no hard feelings between them.
Dion, who has been courageously battling stiff-person syndrome (SPS), an extremely rare muscle disorder, continued to inspire with her resilience during her Grammy appearance. Her determination to continue her career despite the diagnosis is the subject of a new documentary titled "I Am: Celine Dion," which was highlighted during the ceremony.
The documentary, which was filmed over more than a year, captures Dion's unwavering spirit as she navigates life with SPS and underscores her commitment to ensuring that the condition will not define her.
Either way, they're both absolute legends of the music industry! As Taylor Swift sung herself: "You need to calm down."
