A decade-old video clip featuring a tense on-stage moment between pop superstar Taylor Swift and actress Olivia Munn has resurfaced, triggering a fierce and widespread debate across social media platforms.
The Viral Moment from 2013
The footage originates from the 2013 People's Choice Awards, where Olivia Munn was presenting Taylor Swift with the award for Favourite Country Artist. The clip shows Swift accepting the trophy and beginning her thank-you speech before Munn, seemingly annoyed, snatches the award back from the singer's hands.
Munn then refused to return the trophy or move out of the camera frame, creating an awkward pause. Swift responded by joking, "This always happens, God," a clear reference to the infamous 2009 MTV VMA incident where Kanye West interrupted her acceptance speech.
Scripted Prank or Poor Taste?
While the interaction was reportedly a scripted prank intended to humourously echo the Kanye West episode, its recent recirculation on X (formerly Twitter) has led many to question its appropriateness. The clip was shared by a Swift fan last week with the caption "That was some pretty weird sarcasm," and it rapidly went viral, amassing over 11 million views.
The video begins with Swift hugging Munn on stage, though Munn appears stiff and does not reciprocate the embrace. As Swift starts to speak, Munn interjects, "Do you want to thank me first? It makes the most sense," in a sarcastic tone before the physical struggle over the award ensues.
Fan Reactions Divide the Internet
The resurgence of the video has launched a massive argument online regarding whether the joke was acceptable. A significant portion of viewers felt the skit was executed poorly and at Swift's expense.
"Taylor deserves an apology, it took me years to realise that people were just a**holes to her for no reason," one user commented. Another stated, "It annoys me the way people thought it was funny to make Taylor uncomfortable." A third fan quoted Swift's lyrics: "'The jokes weren't funny, I took the money.'"
Others defended Munn, insisting it was a pre-planned skit and that Swift was likely in on the joke. They argued that the context of it being a light-hearted reference to a past public moment was being lost in the current viral storm.
The controversy emerges as Swift premieres her new Disney+ docuseries, 'End Of An Era', which offers a behind-the-scenes look at her record-breaking Eras Tour. In a heartwarming contrast to the debated clip, the series shows Swift generously awarding bonuses totalling a reported $197 million to her extensive tour crew.
