While most aren’t quick to rank 2017 as their favorite year, it comes as no surprise that everyone’s love-to-hate, hate-t0-love celebrity Taylor Swift isn’t afraid to go against the grain.
After a packed concert at London’s Jingle Bell Ball earlier this week, the singer posted a crowd shot on her Instagram page with a caption that said, “I couldn’t have asked for a better year, all thanks to you. Thanks for all the birthday wishes. Can’t wait to see what 28 will be like.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcqdhfrH06J/?taken-by=taylorswift
Billboard chose to highlight the quote in a recent tweet, linking to a story describing Swift’s successful Reputation album and its upcoming world tour to back her reflection on 2017. Even so, many users were quick to reply with their own thoughts on the past 12 months, which were quite opposite from the artist’s.
Taylor Swift reflects on 2017: "I couldn't have asked for a better year." https://t.co/m1tKqWJLhx pic.twitter.com/FvWH28vH7O
— billboard (@billboard) December 14, 2017
One user went off on Swift’s mindset, listing hot-button issues of 2017 including mass shootings, health care, and white supremacy.
I mean, yeah there were Nazi's and white supremacy marches, and families are being town apart, and there were mass shootings, and people are losing health care, but none of that affects me, so 2017 was great!
— Expand the Court and Protect Our Rights (@kaspe_r11) December 14, 2017
Others used the opportunity to respond with GIFs of eye rolls, frustration, or just deadpan looks into the camera.
— Kelli Boyle (@kellixboyle) December 14, 2017
— JDegarson (@johndegarson) December 14, 2017
— JUDE (@heyjudeinthesky) December 14, 2017
There were, however, a handful of users that took to the singer’s defense, stating she had every right to reflect on her personal growth and success, regardless the current climate.
https://twitter.com/swiftswriting/status/941385385858486272
https://twitter.com/GZanipatin/status/941386239713861632
https://twitter.com/odetoyellow/status/941397690218188800
Others not only defended Swift but also called out Billboard for using a misleading headline and putting a negative spin on the quote.
You need to change this headline. Stop inviting people to attack celebs when it clearly wasn’t her intention
— divya (@divsss9) December 14, 2017
This headline is misleading as fuck. She had a birthday yesterday and used it as an opportunity to express that she’s found happiness in her personal life and is grateful for the success of her music and the support she received this year.
— back on my academic bullshit (@gaylena13) December 14, 2017
shame on you, you knew this misleading headline would get attention, it's clickbait bullshit. She said 27 was a great year – on her birthday – & she can't wait to see what 28 will bring. She found love, beat her sexual assaulter in court, released a hit album, & thanked her fans.
— Dana Vettel (@DanaVettel) December 14, 2017
Whether you agree 2017 was horrible or not, at least one thing seems certain—Swift will still be causing controversy in 2018.