Swift says that Braun and Scott Borchetta are refusing to allow her to sing a medley of her past hits at the American Music Awards ... and also barring their inclusion in a Netflix special.
UPDATE at 8:35 am on 11/16/19:
Model Cara Delevingne voiced her support for Taylor on Twitter late Friday night.
"No matter what people manage to take from you, they will never be able to take your voice@taylorswift13," she tweeted. "so well done for using yours especially when you know they will attack you for doing so. We are with you xxx"
No matter what people manage to take from you, they will never be able to take your voice @taylorswift13 so well done for using yours especially when you know they will attack you for doing so. We are with you xxx https://t.co/xgjFewFuEQ
@Caradelevingne
PREVIOUSLY:
On Thursday, Taylor Swift asked her fans to speak out on her behalf to both Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta, the men involved with the sale of her masters (Borchetta selling his Big Machine Group to Braun), and they have definitely answered the call, celebrities and non-celebs alike.
Her latest claims against the men who facilitated the sale of her past masters (allegedly behind her back) is that they are effectively barring her from performing those same hits as part of a medley at the American Music Awards. Swift is being honored with the Artist of the Decade Award at this year's ceremony.
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View StoryAccording to Swift the two men "have now said that I'm not allowed to perform my old songs on television because they claim that would be re-recording my music before I'm allowed to next year." She further announced a Netflix special and added that Braun and Borchetta are not allowing her to use old music or performance footage for that project.
Don't know what else to do pic.twitter.com/1uBrXwviTS
@taylorswift13
Almost immediately, social media lit up in response to Swift's plea, with the hashtag #IStandWithTaylor shooting up the trending topics. Halsey wrote a lengthy piece in her own Instagram Stories on Swift's behalf, arguing that it does't even make sense on a business level. If Swift plays her older hits, fans will seek out those records and Big Machine will make money.
"This is just mean. This is punishment," Halsey continued. "This is hoping to silence her from speaking about things by dangling this over her head. These people are protected because they inspire complicity with fear." She then proceeded to sing Swift's "Mean" on her Stories.
A few other celebrities jumped in, with Lily Allen effectively calling for the #MeToo movement to come for the music industry. "This is not OK," wrote Ruby Rose to her Instagram Stories, followed with screenshots of Swift's statement.
Selena Gomez also waded into the controversy on Friday morning, calling out Big Machine for their "greed, manipulation and power." She went on to say Swift is "the most dedicated, fearless, fiesty, strongest women I've ever known. People can say bitch but what I'm saying to you is that's called a woman with true identity and strength and takes no shit."
"I really hope there is a change of heart over this unfortunate situation," she added.
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View StoryBut many Swifties called out fellow musicians for not immediately standing up for Swift, noting their silence in the hours following Swift's post.
The "You Need to Calm Down" singer alleges that she's been given an ultimatum by Braun and Borchetta: either agree not to re-record her older music in November 2020 to regain control of her masters and agree to stop talking publicly about the pair.
For their part, according to TMZ, Big Machine has tried to find a compromise with Taylor but she is refusing to come to the table and has rejected every proposal. According to the outlet's source, Swift told them if she didn't give her exactly what she wanted, she'd go public and tell people to target them.
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View Story"Please let Scott Borchetta and Scotter Braun know how you feel about this," Swift pleaded with her fans in her statement, further urging them to seek out other artists who work with the men to come to her side in the dispute.
"The message being sent to me is very clear," Swift wrote. "Basically, be a good little girl and shut up. Or you'll be punished."
It certainly looks like she isn't going to shut up, and neither are her fans. They spent as much energy throwing their support behind Swift as they did calling out and shaming all those music artists who have thus far said nothing, while heaping praise on those -- like Halsey -- who have put their support behind Swift's efforts.
Check out some of the celebrity and non-celebrity reactions below:
SELENA GOMEZ OFFICIALLY RAISING THE BAR FOR EVERY ARTIST RIGHT NOW. #IStandWithTaylor pic.twitter.com/yGNCKPjEio
@mainpopgirI
📲 IG | Halsey supporting Taylor via Instagram story #IStandWithTaylor
@TSwiftNZ
“It is her grace and patience in these moments that make her Artist of the Decade.” pic.twitter.com/zC12Yq2x9G
I'M OFFICIALLY, COMPLETELY, UNEQUIVOCALLY, INCANDESCENTLY, 100% A HALSEY STAN.#IStandWithTaylorpic.twitter.com/msgmU5Y3HQ
@mainpopgirI
Solidarity with Taylor here, this sounds awful, and people wonder why music hasn't had its #MeToo moment ? https://t.co/lqfRVfhDYK
@lilyallen
Ruby Rose via Instagram Story #IStandWithTaylor pic.twitter.com/uyJAku3XDB
@tayswiftSG
Fuck that. We're with you
@Tinashe
what a complete power pull @scooterbraun @scottborchetta. the way this industry is set up, there are times where we have to get legal permission to perform anything we share rights to. but denying access like this is solely to play with and diminish a person. https://t.co/noNDUeFzYE
@MsRebeccaBlack
this is so messed up. đź’” https://t.co/8Bqeka4F7j
@thekatiestevens
Scott and Scooter, you know what the right thing to do is 🙏🙏
@GiGiHadid
Taylor and her fans deserve to celebrate the music!!
I stand in solidarity with all artists who try to bring their work in its best form to the fans. There's no doubt that that's what Taylor is trying to do. I hope these folks do the right thing. 🎶❤️🙏🏻 https://t.co/1eJaVseS1w
@birbigs
love you and support you always. #IStandWithTaylor https://t.co/8Drgo5Heo9
@strangerwriters
Because it is impossible not to see this for what it is- pure greedy anti-artist commerce first BS - #IStandWithTaylor https://t.co/qb7HDjZkST
@ninedaysband
THERE IT IS THANK YOU @halsey FOR BEING ONE OF THE ONLY ARTISTS WHO CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTS WOMEN AND SPEAKS UP FOR HER FELLOW ARTISTS #IStandWithTaylor pic.twitter.com/WJhxBdjMyE
@iwishyouwoulds
This. Right here. We need people to stand up with @taylorswift13 this is her art. Her heart and soul. #istandwithtaylor pic.twitter.com/lKOUeZ8v74
@jessica_parks
If any artists are out there reading this situation and staying quiet please join the fight. We need to stand together as one. #IStandWithTaylor pic.twitter.com/qgEmKt2SIX
@TS7Track3
Let's say a huge "thank you" to Taylor's friends and artists who stood up for her tonight. We still have far to go!
@TSwiftinAsia
To the artists who haven't spoken up yet: Taylor is always fighting for your creative rights and is thinking about your future. Fight with her. #IStandWithTaylor pic.twitter.com/AxfiKyBZJ2
it is unbelievable that the artist of the decade isn't “allowed” to perform the songs that led her to become the artist of the decade to begin with.
@orianaswift
it's her work, her passion, her art.
let her use it. #IStandWithTaylor #WeStandWithTaylor#JusticeForTaylor pic.twitter.com/sGtS13MWg6
Dear male singers,
@LessGorgeousJoe
Using your voice is literally your job. Use it.
#IStandWithTaylor
Taylor stands up for everyone in the music industry. Remember the Apple Music situation when she stood up for all artists... Where is everyone at now? You know how much it would mean if other big artists spoke up. #IStandWithTaylor
@peter_etheridge
PETITION FOR TAYLOR AND ARIANA TO OPEN THE AMAs together performing 'The Man.' Featuring an iconic moment where Ariana fires Scooter live on stage after the line 'my good ideas and power moves' đź‘Šđź’— #IStandWithTaylor pic.twitter.com/rxtplWxCpl
@ellamargaret
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