Why some believe Céline Dion was overlooked by Taylor Swift

Why some believe Céline Dion was overlooked by Taylor Swift at the 2024 Grammys

The biggest night in music ended with a historic victory for Taylor Swift and a surprise cameo by Cline Dion. The two singers’ alleged falling out has, however, cast a shadow over the event on the internet.

Taylor Swift and Celine Dion at the Grammy Awards in 2024.

The 66th Grammy Awards were held on Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with Trevor Noah serving as host. Dion and Swift were among the guests in attendance.

After the performance, the musicians encountered each other onstage in an unpleasant exchange, according to several. What you need to know about what happened is all right here.

Dion onstage at the 66th Grammy Awards Cline Dion made a very unusual public appearance to deliver the Album of the Year award. Dion performs at the 66th Grammy Awards, photographed by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy. Kevin Mazur for The Recording Academy via Getty Images

The same prize was given to Dion in 1997 for “Falling Into You.”

The renowned vocalist has largely avoided the spotlight since revealing in December 2022 that stiff-person syndrome, an uncommon neurological ailment, was her diagnosis. Dion claimed that the illness results in voice chord problems, walking difficulties, and spasms. She also called off her Courage World Tour’s remaining dates.

In September, Claudette Dion, her sister, gave an update, stating that the singer of “All by Myself” was “doing everything to recover.”

The most recent announcement was the release of “I Am: Cline Dion,” a documentary on Prime Video that explores Dion’s biography and struggles with stiff-person syndrome.

The crowd cheered and gave Dion a standing ovation when she entered the stage to give the night’s last award, accompanied by her son Ren-Charles Anglil. Swift was shown in the video jumping up and down, clapping, dancing, and singing along to “The Power of Love.”

Dion was aware of the outpouring of support.

“When I say, I’m happy to be here, I really mean it, from my heart,” she continued. “Those who have been blessed enough to be here at the Grammy Awards must never take for granted the tremendous love and joy that music brings to our lives and people all around the world.”

When Swift collected the prize without mentioning Dion, there was outrage on the internet.

At the 66th Grammy Awards, Swift accepted the Album of the Year award for “Midnights”.Billboard

Swift’s “Midnights” broke records by winning the Grammy for Album of the Year, her fourth victory in the field a remarkable accomplishment. Her other album of the year wins came from “Fearless,” “1989,” and “Folklore.”

Swift gave hugs to sound engineer Laura Sisk, friend and fellow Grammy candidate Lana Del Rey, and producer Jack Antonoff as she entered the stage to accept the trophy. Swift tilted her head to look at her partners in astonishment as she accepted the prize from Dion.

Swift talked about her love for her profession and her impending performance in Japan as part of the Eras Tour throughout her speech.

“I would love to tell you that this is the best moment in my life,” she replied. However, I get this joy at the end of a song or when I figure out a beloved bridge.

“But I feel this happy when I finish a song or when I cracked the code to a bridge that I love or when I’m shot-listing a music video, or when I’m rehearsing with my dancers or my band or getting ready to go to Tokyo to play a show.”

Swift went on: “The work is the award in my opinion. To continue being able to do this is all I desire. I adore it a great deal. That brings me immense joy.”

People nevertheless called her “disrespectful” for not extending a proper greeting to Dion, even though it’s possible that she was overwhelmed and preoccupied with the victory.

“The greatest of all time Celine Dion presents Taylor Swift with her Grammy, and Taylor doesn’t even look up at her. Inconsiderate,” On X, formerly known as Twitter, @Knesix posted.

“I don’t feel well about Taylor not even mentioning Celine Dion. That’s CELINE DION, girl,” @blackboywrites remarked.

Although I don’t believe Taylor meant it badly, it’s awkward and not a good look on her. Celine truly is the Queen. wrote @veganmoviesnob.

The thing that disappointed me the most about the Grammys was that, despite hugging all of her supporters and winning Album of the Year, Taylor Swift took Celine Dion’s award like she was the hat-check girl, seemingly unaware of how incredible it was that Celine was even there. — February 5, 2024, Beverley Smith (@BevSmithWrites)

Not to be mean, but it’s crazy that Celine Dion, in her triumphant first public appearance in a long time, hardly made eye contact while giving her a Grammy. — February 5, 2024, Adam (@adamjmoussa) In addition to being a legend that deserves recognition on ANY day, Celine hasn’t attended an event in a while due to a crippling illness like? Be respectful of others. February 5, 2024 – Kathleen Newman-Bremang (@KathleenNB)

Swift’s supporters rallied around her, suggesting that the “Karma” singer might have been attempting to show consideration for Dion’s medical condition. They added that the singer was frequently subjected to unjust scrutiny and judgment.

“I think it’s kinda crazy that despite going out of her way to clap and stand up for everyone, including Celine and everyone she lost to, Taylor has to be scolded for not doing the exact right thing in an overwhelming moment,” @HuffleBoy tweeted.

Did Taylor Swift ignore or show disdain for Celine Dion? No. At the very moment Celine Dion gave her the medal, was she visibly sidetracked by someone behind her? 100,000,000%.Give up overanalyzing every move she makes in an attempt to find evidence that you already dislike her and that you should despise her.”— February 5, 2024, Alex Goldschmidt (@alexandergold)

Following the event, the two were captured on camera meeting backstage, a Hollywood commentator dubbed it ‘damage control’.

Rene-Charles Angelil, Dion, and Swift at the 66th Grammy Awards.Kevin Mazur for The Recording Academy via Getty Images

There appears to be no ill will between the pop stars as Swift and Dion were all smiles as the cameras caught them cuddling up following the presentation of the largest prize of the evening.

However, Hollywood commentator Matthew Belloni claims that Swift’s onstage mishap was “damage control” for the backstage picture.

In a Monday morning podcast episode titled “The Town with Matthew Belloni,” Belloni said, “I talked to someone who was backstage, and the Taylor camp knew immediately it was a misstep.”

He claimed that Swift’s entourage “were scrambling backstage to get a photo of Taylor with Celine Dion, which they promptly put out, and that was damage control for the Cline moment.”

He went on: “Traditionally, the PR people will say when you go onstage, ‘Make sure you acknowledge the person who is giving you the award.'”

“Taylor typically knows better than to grab the award and try to summon pals to celebrate their big win,” he stated.

Despite her gaffe, Swift had a great time at the Grammys. She won prizes for best pop vocal album and album of the year for “Midnights.” Swift startled audience members by revealing her 11th studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” during her acceptance of the latter prize earlier in the program which will be available on April 19.

When Business Insider asked Swift and Dion for comments, their representatives didn’t get back to us right away.