At the iHeartRadio Music Awards, T-Pain recalled his very awkward encounter with Taylor Swift, and his joke did not go down well with viewers. The rapper was hosting the event at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles when he addressed Swift in the audience.
“Taylor, I never apologised to you,” he began. “The first time we met, you’re so much taller than me, that I thought you were standing on something.”
“Without looking down, I tried to stand on whatever I thought you were standin’ on and — bam! Headbutted you right in the boob,” he joked. “I’m so sorry. That was not my intention.”
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Swift took the joke in her stride, giggling along with Pain, but some of her fans weren’t so forgiving. Some were quick to point out on social media that Swift had been involved in a lengthy sexual assault lawsuit, from which she emerged victorious in the summer of 2017.
Taylor won a civil case against ex DJ David Mueller grabbed her bottom after putting his hand up her skirt during a pre-concert photo opportunity in 2013.
Taylor only asked for a symbolic $1 in damages from Mr Mueller and has pledged to donate to organisations that help defend sexual assault victims. “I acknowledge the privilege that I benefit from in life, in society and in my ability to shoulder the enormous cost of defending myself in a trial like this,” she said in a statement following the verdict. My hope is to help those whose voices should also be heard,” she said following the trial.
Following the trial, Taylor was praised for inspiring other women to speak out about groping, even if they might not have the advantages she has in terms of wealth or public support.