"I respect her so much"— Zach Bryan issues public apology to Taylor Swift after deactivating X over post about Kanye West

Country singer Zach Bryan found himself at the center of controversy after a now-deleted tweet comparing Taylor Swift to Kanye West. Bryan posted a tweet stating, "eagles > chiefs" and "Kanye > Taylor," which sparked significant backlash from Swift's fans.

The tweet, which referenced Swift's relationship with NFL player Travis Kelce and ranked Kanye West above her musically, prompted Bryan to deactivate his X (formerly Twitter) account.

However, Zach Bryan did not remain silent for long. Though he stepped away from X, he turned to Instagram Stories, issuing a series of apologies explaining the context behind the tweet and emphasizing his respect for Swift.

In a heartfelt apology, Bryan expressed regret for the tweet, admitting he had posted it while under the influence of alcohol. He said in his Instagram Stories:

"I respect her so much as a musician that the last thing I want is people thinking I don’t appreciate and love what she has done for music."

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Zach Bryan faces online backlash and issues apology

Zach Bryan’s original tweet garnered immediate negative reactions, especially from Taylor Swift's fans. His comparison between Swift and West, who have a long and contentious history dating back to the infamous 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, was seen by many as a poor choice of words.

Bryan attempted to rally his followers with the phrase, "Who’s with me?" but the inflammatory nature of the tweet led to swift condemnation, prompting him to deactivate his X account shortly after posting.

Despite deactivating on X, Bryan remained active on Instagram. In a series of Instagram Stories, the Revival singer issued a public apology on Thursday, September 19. He clarified that his comment was not meant to undermine Swift's accomplishments but rather to compare the two artists' music.

"For the record guys I wasn’t coming for Taylor the other night. I was drunkenly comparing two records, and it came out wrong. I know there’s a lot of stuff that clouds around Ye, and I was speaking purely musically. "

He continued,

"I love Taylor’s music and pray you guys know I’m human and tweet stupid things often. Hope one day I can explain this to her."

Zach Bryan expressed regret over the incident, acknowledging the impact his words had on Swift's fans.

"I’m sorry to any Taylor fans I pi*sed off or let down. Love you guys, and I’m trying my best!"

In a subsequent post, Zach Bryan elaborated on the personal struggles he has been facing and admitted that his tweet may have been influenced by these challenges.

"I think I was projecting a little. To be completely honest, it just came off as rude and desensitized to Taylor."

In his apology, Bryan further emphasized his admiration for Swift and her contributions to the music industry.

Not saving face here, but Taylor has been a force of nature for as long as we’ve all been growing up, and I admire that."

The singer wrapped up his apology by advising his followers not to mix alcohol and social media, repeating, "Don’t drink and tweet."

Zach Bryan concluded his Instagram posts by announcing his intention to take a break from X and focus on his personal well-being. He mentioned that the past year has been difficult for him and that balancing his personal life with his professional obligations had taken a toll.

As of now, Bryan’s X account remains deactivated. However, fans speculate that he may return to the platform after taking some time off.

Zach Bryan is currently in the midst of his Quittin' Time tour, which runs until December 14, 2024, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His tour has featured various supporting acts, including The Middle East, Jason Isbell, and the Turnpike Troubadours.

Bryan’s latest apology comes amidst a successful tour and chart presence, with his recent album performing well on the Billboard 200 charts. Swift and Bryan continue to share space on the charts, with both artists' albums currently sitting within the top 10.

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While Zach Bryan's recent tweet may have caused controversy, his public apology and acknowledgment of his mistakes suggest that he is focused on moving forward, both personally and professionally.