After her contentious support of Kamala Harris, pop icon Taylor Swift was reportedly heckled off The Ellen DeGeneres Show set in an unexpected development that rocked the entertainment industry. The infamously eccentric talk show host and singer of “Shake It Off” were set for a lighthearted discussion that quickly descended into chaos as viewers voiced their disapproval of Swift’s political views.
Swift’s latest entry into the political sphere has drawn criticism and raised suspicions among those who have watched her incredible ascent from rural darling to worldwide musical phenomenon. Swift, who was formerly renowned for holding her political cards close to the vest, has experienced a tremendous reaction following her endorsement of Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential contest. On the Ellen set, this division was painfully visible as some of her admirers rallied behind the endorsement, while others felt left out.
The taping started off fairly innocently enough, with Taylor smiling broadly as she stepped onto Ellen’s famous white couch and the audience applauding. However, things rapidly changed when Ellen, in typical charming fashion, inquired about the Harris endorsement that had set up a social media controversy.
Ellen teased Swift with a smile, saying, “So, Taylor, let’s talk about that little tweet you posted about Kamala,” anticipating a lively exchange. But as soon as Swift spoke out to justify her decision, the tone in the studio changed from lighthearted to downright antagonistic.
The music sensation tried to defend her choice, but the first jeers came from the crowd before she could say more than “Kamala is my role model.” There were a few whispers at first, but in a matter of seconds, there was a roar of laughter and exclamations, “Get out of here!” that echoed throughout the studio.
Ever the professional, Ellen attempted to diffuse the tension by gesturing to the crowd with her hands. Guys, this is a nice show—come on! She begged, “Let’s listen to her out,” but it was ineffective. The audience wasn’t about to absolve Swift of her responsibilities because they had already made up their minds.
Ellen tried her hardest, but the jeers just got louder, bouncing off the walls and stifling any real conversation. Clearly shaken and taken aback by the animosity, Swift attempted to brush it off with a joke. But her smile turned to an unpleasant frown as the jeers got louder.
Swift said into the microphone, “I didn’t think this would happen,” as she looked across to Ellen, who was hopelessly shrugging while displaying a mix of shame and laughter on her face. This was unlike anything the talk show presenter, who was well-known for her laid-back chats, had ever seen.
With the clamor of criticism building to a crescendo, Swift rose to his feet and nodded pitifully at Ellen. She waved awkwardly at the audience and said, “I think I should go,” before the production crew escorted her off stage.
The increasing backlash from Swift’s political endorsement continues with this incident. In addition to splintering her following base, her outspoken support for Harris has significantly reduced ticket sales for her current Eras Tour.
Many critics contend that Swift made a mistake by entering politics, arguing that she would have been better off sticking to her strengths of creating music and avoiding contentious political matters. A disappointed former admirer said, “I loved her music, but I didn’t sign up for this political drama,” on the former Twitter platform, X. Taylor should refrain from meddling in elections and stick to entertaining.
Some critics were not so courteous. As they were leaving the taping, one audience member was heard to remark, “I used to think she was cool, but now she’s just another out-of-touch celebrity trying to tell us how to vote.” “I didn’t come here to hear Taylor preach politics; I came here to enjoy a fun Ellen show.”
Many observers weren’t blind to the irony of the scenario. Ultimately, The Ellen DeGeneres Show is renowned for being a secure, upbeat venue where visitors come to showcase their most recent endeavors and exchange humorous anecdotes. The fact that Swift was jeered off of an intimate stage like Ellen’s says a lot about the intensity of the criticism she is receiving.
Ellen, who is accustomed to controversy herself, appeared surprised at the ferocity of the audience’s response. A production team member for Ellen later stated that the part will not be aired in its entirety, leading some to speculate that the interview would not even be shown on the show. The source declared, “We’ve never seen anything like this before.” “Normally, Taylor’s fans are really encouraging, but today was really something else. It quickly became ugly.
Swift has not spoken anything on social media since the Ellen incident, leaving many to worry whether or how she will handle the situation. Swift’s staff, on the other side, has quickly distorted the facts, highlighting the value of free speech and her freedom to express her political opinions in a statement. The statement said, “Taylor believes in using her platform to advocate for the causes and leaders she believes in.” “Those who disagree with her or boo her will not silence her.”
Insiders, nevertheless, speculate that the singer may have been more shaken by the incident than her representatives are letting on. One person close to Swift claims that she was “devastated” by the jeers and sobbed as she exited the stage. The source claimed, “She wasn’t anticipating that kind of reaction at all.” “She expected to be able to share her perspective, but the crowd wouldn’t even allow her to speak.”
The backlash that followed Taylor Swift’s support of Kamala Harris serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers that celebrities who enter politics confront. Swift’s experience highlights how turbulent and polarizing the contemporary political atmosphere can be, despite the fact that many celebrities have effectively used their platforms to support causes and candidates.
Swift’s entry into politics has empowered some fans, who see it as evidence that their favorite musician is making positive use of her platform. However, for some, it has been a deal-breaker, making them wonder if they can still support an artist whose opinions they disagree with.
One thing is certain: Swift has a difficult road ahead of her as she struggles with the criticism. It remains to be seen if she can get past the backlash and mend her relationship with her admirers. But for the time being, she probably still hears “Get out of here!” a lot.
Mary Lou Retton Has Pneumonia and ‘Is Fighting for Her Life,’ Daughter Says
The gymnastics champion sprang to stardom at the 1984 Olympics, where she became the first American woman to win a gold medal in the all-around competition. Her family is raising money online, saying she lacks health insurance.
May Lou Retton at the 1984 Olympics, where she won five medals.
Mary Lou Retton, who became one of the most popular athletes in the country after winning the all-around women’s gymnastics competition at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, has pneumonia and is “fighting for her life” in the intensive care unit, her daughter said in a statement this week.
Retton’s daughter McKenna Lane Kelley said on Instagram that her mother “is not able to breathe on her own” and that she had been in the intensive care unit for more than a week.
Kelley asked for donations to help pay for her mother’s hospital bills, saying her mother lacked health insurance. By Wednesday, she had raised more than $260,000 online from more than 4,600 donors.
She did not share more specific information about her mother’s condition, though she said that her pneumonia was “a very rare form.” It was not clear what hospital Retton was in.
Kelley, who was a gymnast at Louisiana State University, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, another daughter, Shayla Kelley Schrepfer, released a video on Instagram thanking people for “all the love and support that you’ve given to my mom.”
“She’s still fighting,” Schrepfer said. “It’s going to be a day-by-day process, and we hope that you guys will respect her boundaries, as we want to keep the details between her and our family right now. She has been treated with the best of the best professionals here, and it has been such a blessing to have their hands on her.”
At the 1984 Olympics, Retton became the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal or any individual Olympic medal in gymnastics. Going into the final rotation of the competition, she was five-hundredths of a point behind Romania’s Ecaterina Szabo, and the only way she could beat Szabo was to score a perfect 10 on vault.
Retton scored a perfect 10.
She won five medals in Los Angeles, including two silvers, for team and vault, and two bronzes, for uneven bars and floor exercise.
Though there was an asterisk by Retton’s victory in the history books — the Soviet Union, which was the most dominant force in women’s gymnastics at the time, boycotted the 1984 Games — it nonetheless made her a sports hero in the United States. In addition to earning her the traditional trappings of Olympic gold, like appearing on a Wheaties box, she was widely viewed as an inspiration to a new generation of American girls entering gymnastics.
Even as the American gymnastics program grew and the country won more medals, including the team gold in 1996, Retton’s prominence remained: For 20 years, Retton, now 55, was the only American woman to win the all-around title, until Carly Patterson became the second in 2004.
Retton was born in Fairmont, W.Va., and got her start early, like many top gymnasts. By the time Retton was 7 years old, she was training in gymnastics full-time.
Retton’s talent had been apparent from the start, but a big break came at an Olympics elimination tournament in Reno, Nev., in 1982, where she impressed Bela Karolyi, who would go on to coach her in the 1984 Olympics.
“I immediately recognized the tremendous physical potential of this little kid,” Karolyi said in a March 1984 interview.
Retton appeared in a number of films and TV shows in the late 1980s and 1990s, including the comedy film “Scrooged.”
After her athletic career, Retton became a motivational speaker to promote the benefits of proper nutrition and regular exercise.
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