The 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards kicked off in typical fashion, with veteran co-hosts Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire trading barbs about current events and their fellow country superstars. However, one joke involving a well-known bit of gossip seemed to genuinely stun one of the superstars in the audience--namely, Taylor Swift.
Shelton and McEntire, while cracking a few jokes about current NFL
darling Tim Tebow, made reference to the rumor that the uber-famous
quarterback had gone on a date with Swift--a report that made headlines
all over at the end of February. "Now we know what he's been praying
for," Shelton deadpanned.
When the camera flashed on Swift, the blond singer had a baffled
look on her face. Now, we know Swift is notorious for her dramatic
on-air reactions, but in this case it appeared to be the real thing.
It's clear Swift was trying to be a good sport about the joke--but
why so flustered? Could she actually have not have heard the
gossip...or could she be overcompensating at being called out on the
truth? It's doubtful that the football star and Swift are actually an
item--most reports merely remarked about the two having dinner
together--but hey, you never know.
The incident sparked some chatter on Twitter, with viewers mostly
chuckling about the joke. "Taylor Swift was looking extra salty after
that Tim Tebow joke, HA!" one fan tweeted, while another enthused, "Oh
T-Swift you're just too cute. And you so just confirmed that date with
Tebow."
Other fans felt Shelton went too far: "He was making fun of Tim Tebow and Taylor swift," read a disgruntled tweet. "It was just rude."Swift is up for several awards at the ACMs, including the coveted
entertainer and female artist of the year categories. Early winners
included Miranda Lambert for album of the year, Lady Antebellum for
group of the year, Toby Keith for video of the year, Jason Aldean for
vocal event and single of the year, and Thompson Square for duo of the
year.