Are Ye and Taylor Swift Ready to Move Forward from Their Controversial Past?
On Sunday, February 2, just hours prior to the prestigious 67th annual Grammy Awards, rapper and fashion icon Ye?previously known as Kanye West?stirred speculation regarding his complicated relationship with pop sensation Taylor Swift. He took to his Instagram Story, posting a mysterious update that indicated he was now following only one individual on the platform: the very same Swift. This unexpected action has left fans and followers curious about the potential for reconciliation between the two.
?1 following,? Ye, aged 47, shared with his 20.6 million Instagram followers, alongside a screenshot of his profile page. His subsequent post showcased Swift, aged 35, as the solitary individual he had chosen to follow. This sudden shift in his social media activity has raised eyebrows and opened discussions about the state of their once-contentious relationship.
According to reports from TMZ, Ye had unfollowed everyone, including his wife, Bianca Censori, before deciding to follow only Swift. This dramatic move suggests a significant change in his perspective, possibly hinting at a desire to mend fences or at least acknowledge their past in a new light. Many fans are now wondering if this could be the first step toward a more amicable relationship between the two artists.
Alongside his surprising gesture towards Swift, Ye also celebrated his recent Grammy nomination for ?Carnival,? a collaborative effort with Ty Dolla $ign that is nominated for Best Rap Song at this year?s ceremony. The track, which also features Rich the Kid and Playboi Carti, achieved significant success by reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart last March, further solidifying Ye’s impact on the music industry.
?Thank you to the Grammies for nominating Carnival,? Ye expressed on Instagram, accompanying the message with an image of a Grammy trophy. The photo also tagged notable figures such as Swift, Ty Dolla $ign, Playboi Carti, Rich the Kid, and the Recording Academy, demonstrating Ye’s acknowledgment of their contributions to the music community and his collaborative spirit.
At this point, it remains uncertain whether Ye will make an appearance at the Grammy ceremony, which is scheduled to be broadcast live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Notably, both Swift and Beyoncé, who are nominated for Album of the Year, are expected to attend. Beyoncé leads the nominations with an impressive 11, while Swift has garnered six, including a nomination for her album The Tortured Poets Department, which competes alongside Beyoncé?s Cowboy Carter.
The relationship between Ye and Swift has been characterized by one of the most infamous feuds within the music industry. This tumultuous saga began in 2009 when Ye infamously interrupted Swift?s acceptance speech at the VMAs, declaring that Beyoncé deserved the award for best female video instead. Although the two eventually reached a level of reconciliation, their relationship has been marked by recurring tensions, particularly when Ye suggested in his 2016 track ?Famous? that the incident played a role in catapulting Swift’s career to new heights.
Swift publicly criticized Ye following the release of the song, prompting him to assert that he had received her approval during a phone call prior to its launch?a claim she vehemently denied. This disagreement intensified when Kim Kardashian, Ye’s then-wife, shared an edited recording of their conversation, attempting to portray Swift as dishonest. This controversy continues to resonate, as Swift addressed the issue as recently as last year.
?You have a fully manufactured frame job, in an illegally recorded phone call, which Kim Kardashian edited and then put out to say to everyone that I was a liar,? Swift recounted in her TIME Person of the Year cover story in December 2023. ?That took me down psychologically to a place I?ve never been before. I moved to a foreign country. I didn?t leave a rental house for a year. I was afraid to get on phone calls. I pushed away most people in my life because I didn?t trust anyone anymore. I went down really, really hard.?
For those interested in tracing the intricate dynamics of Ye and Swift?s relationship, be sure to check out the complete timeline available here.
