Taylor Swift accepts apology from comedian who called her "too skinny" in Miss Americana

3 February 2020, 17:36

By Sam Prance

Miss Americana on Netflix features old comments from comedians Nikki Glaser and Jenny Johnson criticising Taylor Swift.

Comedians Nikki Glaser and Jenny Johnson have said that they've received death threats following comments they made that were featured in Taylor Swift's Netflix documentary, Miss Americana.

Last Friday (Jan 31), Taylor Swift released her highly anticipated docu-film on the streaming service. In the new film, Taylor takes fans behind the scenes of her life and career. She gives people a front-row seat to her Lover and Reputation recording sessions, shows viewers label meetings and talks frankly about her recent decision to speak out about her political beliefs.

READ MORE: Taylor Swift and Brendon Urie open up about fans breaking into their homes in Miss Americana

Taylor also opens up about what it's like to be heavily criticised by public figures and the media at large. The movie includes snippets from talk shows in which people diss everything from Taylor's weight to her dating life.

Now, two of the comedians who made negative remarks about her have apologised. They've also said that they've received death threats from fans.

Taking to Instagram on Saturday (Feb 3), comedian Jenny Johnson wrote: "So... To say I was shocked to find out I was featured in @taylorswift’s new documentary Miss Americana on Netflix (and in the trailer) would be an understatement. In the doc there’s a clip from an appearance I did 7 years ago on a late night comedy show (not a political show) that used to exist called ‘Red Eye’ on Fox News."

Jenny continued: "In the clip I call her annoying. Of COURSE she’s gonna get standing ovations! It’s a Taylor Swift concert and her fans love her! But through the magic of editing I look like a bitter news anchor who doesn’t support women, instead of a comedian trying to be funny (which was clearly a swing and a miss). I have absolutely nothing against her."

She then added: "What I said was unnecessary and rude. I hope you see this, Taylor. Please know I’m not against you, I’m with you and I apologize. And to the so-called Taylor Swift fans sending me death threats and hate tweets, knock it off. Your vile words might come back to bite YOU in the ass one day."

View this post on Instagram

So... To say I was shocked to find out I was featured in @taylorswift’s new documentary Miss Americana on Netflix (and in the trailer) would be an understatement. In the doc there’s a clip from an appearance I did 7 years ago on a late night comedy show (not a political show) that used to exist called ‘Red Eye’ on Fox News. In the clip I call her annoying. I was poking fun at how she always looks surprised when she gets standing ovations at her concerts. Of COURSE she’s gonna get standing ovations! It’s a Taylor Swift concert and her fans love her! But through the magic of editing I look like a bitter news anchor who doesn’t support women, instead of a comedian trying to be funny (which was clearly a swing and a miss). I have absolutely nothing against her. Actually I think she’s an incredibly talented artist and I have a lot of respect for her. But what really hurt was finding out her mom is battling cancer and having lost my dad to cancer I am extra sensitive about how my words might have made things worse. We never know what others are going through. What I said was unnecessary and rude. I hope you see this, Taylor. Please know I’m not against you, I’m with you and I apologize. And to the so-called Taylor Swift fans sending me death threats and hate tweets, knock it off. Your vile words might come back to bite YOU in the ass one day.

A post shared by Jenny Johnson (@jennyjohnsonhi5) on Jan 31, 2020 at 5:41pm PST

Comedian Nikki Glaser also apologised to Taylor, writing: "I love @taylorswift. Unfortunately, I am featured in her new documentary as part of a montage of asshats saying mean things about her, which is used to explain why she felt the need to escape from the spotlight for a year. It’s insanely ironic because anyone who knows me knows I’m obnoxiously obsessed with her and her music."

She then explained: "I first heard myself in the trailer last week as I watched it alone in bed (as soon as it came out bc I was so excited!) and I was horrified to hear my own voice. The sound bite was from an interview I did 5 years ago and I say in SUCH a shitty tone, “she’s too skinny; it bothers me... all of her model friends, and it’s just like, cmon!”

Nikki ended her post writing: "I really have no need to post this other than to apologize to someone who seriously means SO much to me. I only got a couple death threats from die-hard Swift fans, which as one myself, I totally get. So while I’ll consider going to “die in a hole you motherfucking asshole”, I just hope this somehow gets to her so she knows I’m sorry for any pain I caused her".

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I love @taylorswift. Unfortunately, I am featured in her new documentary as part of a montage of asshats saying mean things about her, which is used to explain why she felt the need to escape from the spotlight for a year. It’s insanely ironic because anyone who knows me knows I’m obnoxiously obsessed with her and her music. I first heard myself in the trailer last week as I watched it alone in bed (as soon as it came out bc I was so excited!) and I was horrified to hear my own voice. The sound bite was from an interview I did 5 years ago and I say in SUCH a shitty tone, “she’s too skinny; it bothers me... all of her model friends, and it’s just like, cmon!” 😣 This quote should be used as an example of “projection” in PSYCH101 textbooks. If you’re familiar with my “work” at all, you know I talk openly about battling some kind of eating disorder for the past 17 years. I was probably “feeling fat” that day and was jealous. Also, I’ve had people say the same shit about me being too skinny before and know how terrible it feels to hear that when you’re struggling. And I was only bothered by her model friends because I’d like to be her friend and I’m not a model. I really have no need to post this other than to apologize to someone who seriously means SO much to me. I only got a couple death threats from die-hard Swift fans, which as one myself, I totally get. So while I’ll consider going to “die in a hole you motherfucking asshole”, I just hope this somehow gets to her so she knows I’m sorry for any pain I caused her and that I’d love to be her friend someday (when I start modeling) and tell her how much her music has influenced my life and comedy. In fact, her song “The Man” is the inspiration for my new hour of material and I feature the song is multiple iterations during my current tour. I love you Tay, and I can’t wait to watch 99.97% of your new doc #missamericana ❤️🆖

A post shared by Nikki Glaser (@nikkiglaser) on Jan 31, 2020 at 11:16am PST

As it stands, Taylor hasn't responded to Jenny but she did comment on Nikki's post writing: "Wow. I appreciate this so much and one of the major themes about the doc is that we have the ability to change our opinions over time, to grow, to learn about ourselves. I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve struggled with some of the same things I’ve struggled with. Sending a massive hug".

It should go without saying that no one deserves death threats and, as Miss Americana points out, people should be more considerate of the effect that their words may have on others.