Billboard has issued an apology to Taylor Swift after a video celebrating her career mistakenly featured a nude wax figure meant to depict the pop star. The mishap occurred when the music publication honored Swift as the second Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century but included a clip from Kanye West’s controversial 2016 “Famous” music video, which famously featured nude wax figures of celebrities—including one that was meant to look like Taylor.
For those who might not remember, West’s “Famous” video stirred up major backlash when it debuted, with a sequence showcasing wax figures of celebrities in provocative poses. The most talked-about figure was of Swift, who was prominently featured in the mix. Despite the public outrage at the time, the video slipped into relative obscurity—until now.
Billboard’s tribute to Swift mistakenly revived the problematic clip. After facing backlash, the magazine issued a statement apologizing to both Swift and its audience, saying, “We are deeply sorry to Taylor Swift and all of our readers and viewers that in a video celebrating Swift’s achievements, we included a clip that falsely depicted her.”
The shot has since been removed from the video, and Billboard has yet to reveal who claimed the #1 spot in the ranking. However, considering the stars who secured positions 3, 4, and 5—Rihanna, Drake, and Lady Gaga, respectively—it’s widely anticipated that Beyoncé will take the top honor.
