NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Matty Healy, frontman of The 1975, stirred a controversy during a recent concert in New York City by hailing Kanye West as one of his "heroes". His impassioned speech, which veered from the Grammy nominations to his admiration for West, ignited mixed reactions among the attendees.
Matty Healy declares admiration for Kanye West
Addressing the absence of Grammy nods for his band, Healy expressed outrage, deeming the oversight as a "f**king outrage" and citing specific albums and songs he believed warranted recognition. The audience responded with cheers to his bold statements, captured in an NSFW video circulating on TikTok.
Despite downplaying his concern for Grammy recognition, Healy declared Kanye West as one of his idols, drawing a parallel between his own self-belief and West's outspokenness against the Recording Academy. Healy's attempt to separate West's controversial remarks from his self-confidence evoked mixed response from the audience - veering between boos and discomfort.
Acknowledging West's complicated standing due to his history of making antisemitic comments, Healy attempted to steer the focus solely on the rapper's self-belief, saying: "Separate the antisemitism, just think about the self-belief.” The discomfort in the room prompted Healy to swiftly transition into the next song.
Matt Healy's brief fling with Taylor Swift
Healy's outspoken nature has previously landed him in contentious situations. Notably, a gesture resembling a Nazi salute during a performance where he referenced West's name in a song drew backlash, coinciding with the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, as per 'The Jerusalem Post'.
This recent incident comes after Healy's brief publicized romance with Taylor Swift earlier in the year. The duo's connection stirred considerable attention when Healy was spotted at Swift's Nashville tour stop. Photographs of the pair together fueled speculations about their relationship.
Reports indicated a growing closeness between Healy and Swift, with sources hinting at mutual admiration and enjoyment of each other's company, according to 'Entertainment Tonight'. They were seen displaying affection, notably holding hands during public outings, further fueling the speculation surrounding their bond.
However, despite the attention their relationship garnered, it was relatively short-lived. Sources close to Swift revealed that their involvement was casual, characterized by a fun and laid-back dynamic. The pair eventually parted ways after about a month, as reported by 'PEOPLE'.
Swifties weigh in on Matt Healy's admiration for Kanye West
In the wake of the recent controversy surrounding Healy's remarks about Kanye West, the reactions from Swifties, Swift's devoted fanbase, reflect a sense of relief that Swift's relationship with Healy ended prior to this incident.
One user on social media platform X (formerly twitter) remarked, "Thank god Taylor dumped him before this."
Another user hinted at Healy's post-breakup demeanor, stating, "This guy needs to read 'How to not be salty about Taylor dumping your ass 101'."
Expressing confusion regarding their past relationship, a third user questioned, "Seriously, why did Taylor even date this guy?"
Another user said, "Mind you, we wouldn't have known him if he never dated Taylor."
Amidst these reactions, a more strongly-worded comment surfaced, expressing disdain towards Healy: "God, I hate this man."
