Taylor Swift and Beyoncé Both Cried Backstage After That Infamous 2009 VMA Moment
"I'm gonna let you finish, but..."

The 2009 VMAs will forever live on in pop culture infamy. You remember it: Taylor Swift won Best Female Video for her "You Belong With Me" vid. While she was accepting the award, Kanye West jumped on stage and interrupted her speech to proclaim that Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" video was one of the best of all time (MTV agreed, by the way, which is why Bey took home the coveted Video of the Year trophy later that night).
In case you need a refresher:
Taylor went on to write a song, "Innocent," about the experience. She and Kanye publicly made up, then later very publicly un-made up. The whole Swift/West drama saga can be traced back to this night in 2009.
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, former MTV Chief Van Toffler revealed that Taylor wasn't the only one who got emotional that fateful night. She and Bey both cried backstage after Kanye's stunt, he says.
"When Kanye walked up onstage with Taylor [Swift] that year, it turned out that Taylor had to go onstage to do her song five minutes later. I ran out of the truck to see that everything was all right, and Taylor and her mom were crying hysterically," Toffler said. "I'm not always wonderful with emotions. I didn't know what to say. Then I went backstage, and Beyoncé was crying, too."
Belated hugs to everyone involved.
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.












-
Taylor Swift and Jaime King "Do Not Speak" Anymore, But Swift Is "Still an Amazing Godmother" to King's Son
Swift doesn't let anything deter her from being full "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" about her godmother duties.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Taylor Swift Ended Her 100-Day Instagram Hiatus to Support Selena Gomez — and Possibly Share a 'Reputation (Taylor's Version)' Easter Egg
Why some fans think the post is a sign that long-awaited re-recording of 'Reputation' is (finally) coming soon.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Why Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Were Joined by a "Surprise Guest" on Their Private Montana Vacation
An unexpected visitor reportedly crashed the couple's romantic skiing trip.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Beyoncé's Mom Tina Knowles Speaks Out After Kanye's Attack on Her Grandchildren
Her "corny joke" speaks volumes.
By Lia Beck Published
-
Why Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Felt Embarrassed at One of Taylor Swift’s Parties
"It was kind of cute, but I was mortified."
By Lia Beck Published
-
Donna Kelce Praises Taylor Swift for Her iHeartRadio Awards in the Sweetest Instagram Post
Just sharing a little update about her son's totally normal, non-famous girlfriend.
By Lia Beck Published
-
King Charles Says Beyoncé Is "So Exceptional" and "Incomparable" on His New Apple Music Broadcast
Welcome to the Beyhive, Your Majesty.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
New Details About When Taylor & Travis Started Dating Emerge From...Wes from 'The Challenge'??
Reality competition legend AND nosy neighbor.
By Lia Beck Published