Taylor Swift gets backlash after ‘ignoring’ Celine Dion on Grammys stage

Taylor Swift and Celine Dion at 2024 Grammys | Image: Screengrab/X

Taylor Swift was called out by netizens for not acknowledging or making eye contact with Celine Dion when she received her Grammy award from the icon.

On Sunday, Feb. 4 (US time), Dion presented the Grammy award to Swift, as she made history as the first artist to win Album of the Year four times. However, as the “Lover” singer received the trophy, she failed to notice the “Queen of Power Ballads” standing in front of her, considering it is basic etiquette in awards shows to recognize the presenter who hands the award to the winner.

In the clip that’s currently making the rounds online, Swift was seen happily hugging almost everyone on the stage except the “Power of Love” singer, from whom she “snatched” the Grammy trophy.

Netizens took to X (formerly Twitter) to call out Swift’s action, saying it was a downright “disrespect” to the legendary singer who made a rare appearance amid her battle with stiff person syndrome.

Taylor Swift receives her Grammy from the GOAT Celine Dion and she doesn't even make eye contact with her.

Disrespectful. pic.twitter.com/fph6h8lpcQ

— Jesús Enrique Rosas – The Body Language Guy (@Knesix) February 5, 2024

“My biggest disappointment of the Grammys was Taylor Swift winning Album of the year and hugging all of her people but taking the trophy from Celine Dion as if she was the hat-check girl, and not seeming to realize how very amazing it was that Celine was standing there at all,” wrote X user Beverly Smith.

My biggest disappointment of the Grammys was Taylor Swift winning Album of the year and hugging all of her people but taking the trophy from Celine Dion as if she was the hat-check girl, and not seeming to realize how very amazing it was that Celine was standing there at all.

— Beverley Smith (@BevSmithWrites) February 5, 2024

“Taylor Swift completely ignoring Celine Dion like she was some trophy model presenter at #GRAMMYs were wild. She’s won this three times and is usually such a pro. But to ignore an icon, who is dealing with so much? Yikes.” said Andy Signore. 

Taylor Swift completely ignoring Celine Dion like she was some trophy model presenter at #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 pic.twitter.com/0uM1pN0wkq

— Andy Signore (@andysignore) February 5, 2024

After the backlash, Swift’s team posted a picture of the “Daylight” singer with Dion. However, fans tagged it as a “PR stunt,” saying it was already too late and wouldn’t erase the disregard that she showed toward the “My Heart Will Go on” singer.

“A bit late now. She was self centred and appalling on the stage when she won. Taylor had no class at all and was obviously told to “sort it out” afterwards,” argued user Miss Jo.

A bit late now.

She was self centred and appalling on the stage when she won. Taylor had no class at all and was obviously told to “sort it out” afterwards

— Miss Jo (@therealmissjo) February 5, 2024

“This doesn’t take away the fact that she didn’t even acknowledge our Queen in public. A simple bow, curtsy, blow of a kiss something would have sufficed. But grabbing the Grammy and going to the mic without acknowledging the Queen showed her true colors,” said another netizen. 

This doesn’t take away the fact that she didn’t even acknowledge our Queen in public. A simple bow, curtsy, blow of a kiss something would have sufficed. But grabbing the Grammy and going to the mic without acknowledging the Queen showed her true colors

— LeRoncé 𐚁 (@jeansaintLEFE) February 5, 2024

Some netizens also pointed out Dion’s gesture to acknowledge Diana Ross and Sting, who presented the same award to her 27 years ago, saying why can’t Swift do the same as she was not new to this considering it’s her 13th Grammy?

“The irony of Celine Dion acknowledging legends Diana Ross & Sting, who presented her the same award 27 YEARS AGO. Not a good look Taylor, I’m sorry,” said Nicko Alberto. 

he irony of Celine Dion acknowledging legends Diana Ross & Sting, who presented her the same award 27 YEARS AGO. Not a good look Taylor, I’m sorry. 😶 #Grammys #CelineDion #TaylorSwift #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/TnwRN443mD

— Mohamad Faizal bin Abdullah (@NickoAlberto) February 5, 2024

“Here’s my issue, Taylor Swift called that she won her 13th Grammy earlier, so she is not new to this. And I’m sure she wasn’t really shocked that she won this award, so there’s absolutely no excuse for her to completely disregard a living LEGEND Celine Dion,” wrote another X user.

Here's my issue, Taylor Swift called that she won her 13th Grammy earlier, so she is not new to this. And I'm sure she wasn't really shocked that she won this award, so there's absolutely no excuse for her to completely disregard a living LEGEND Celine Dion. 😐 #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/fdtmy30AA1

— Tvgirl (@Tvgirlwatcher) February 5, 2024