Taylor Swift Confirmed This ‘folklore’ Fan Theory in Her Grammys Acceptance Speech
On Sunday (March 14), Taylor Swift took home the Album of the Year award for folklore at the 2021 Grammys.
The “cardigan” singer’s acceptance speech for her unexpected quarantine album included a set of surprising shout-outs to a few of the people who inspired and enhanced the Grammy-winning work: her boyfriend, Joe Alwyn, as well as Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s three daughters.
Alwyn is credited as a co-writer under the songwriting pseudonym William Bowery on tracks “exile” and “betty” from folklore.
“I had the best time writing songs with you in quarantine,” the 31-year-old singer gushed about her lover and musical collaborator, whom she added is the first to hear “every new song she writes.”
Swift also went on to name drop the toddlers who inspired the names of the three prominent characters in the folklore “betty” love-triangle: James, Inez and Betty Reynolds.
“I want to thank James, Inez and Betty and their parents, who are the second and third people that I play every new song that I write,” she revealed. After folklore was released, it had been wildly suspected that Swift used Reynolds and Lively’s children’s names as inspiration for the song “betty.”
At the time folklore was released, Reynolds and Lively had only ever confirmed the birth of their third daughter, who was born on October 4, 2019, but never officially announced her name.
Apparently, Swift wanted to do the honor of announcing it for the couple, which is way better than a generic Instagram post or Notes App screenshot, right?
See how Swifties reacted to the character name drops in the pop star’s acceptance speech, below.
Imagine being Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ daughter and having Taylor swift naming her album’s stories characters after you and then mentioning you on her acceptance speech at the Grammys for AOTY
Only James, Inez and Betty can relate
— barbarella (@barbarakummer) March 15, 2021
I was today years old when I learned that Taylor Swift named the 3 names in “Betty” after Ryan Reynolds + Blake Lively’s kids…… James, Inez, and Betty…..
— RIP Naya ミ☆ (@_patriciaalexis) March 15, 2021
“I want to thank James, Inez, and Betty, and their parents, who are the second and third people that I play every song that I’ve wrote.” — Taylor Swift’s AOTY acceptance speech #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/BWDL7TKANX
— Joban (@Joban54876420) March 15, 2021
mentioning betty, james, and inez was a choice i can’t stop thinking about it
— jack antonoff playing august (@ripmedieddead) March 15, 2021
WHY AREN’T WE TALKING ABOUT HOW SHE THANKED INEZ, BETTY AND JAMES REYNOLDS?
— s a r a a a a (@fancysnaake) March 15, 2021
the flowers in front of james’ house watching betty leave one day and august leave the next day pic.twitter.com/BXaGztZpnH
— tien (@bigreputatien) March 15, 2021
not at taylor swift mentioning blake’s kids james, inez and betty on her grammys acceptance speech.. tears was shed your honor pic.twitter.com/XKGb5fhogz
— JÆSELLE (@_00JESUS00_) March 15, 2021
when inez reynolds grows up and listens to betty and hears her parent’s extremely famous friend singing about how she’s a gossiping bitch who makes shit up and can’t be trusted pic.twitter.com/6tBSQHjxFl
— jess (@jesshakeitoff) July 25, 2020
Is Taylor Swift the first Grammy winner to ever shout-out three toddlers in her acceptance speech?
— Bill Brasky (@BillBrasky2620) March 15, 2021
The way @taylorswift13 refers to Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds as Betty, James, and Inez’s parents is everything! Also… how do I push myself into this friend circle?! #TaylorSwift #BlakeLively #RyanReynolds #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/GgpRmu9Uro
— Jon Vaughn (@TheJonVaughn) March 15, 2021
WOW!! I wasn't expecting @taylorswift13 to say @VancityReynolds and @blakelively daughters names she actually said James, Inez and Betty OMG!❤ pic.twitter.com/r9pwhovtNe
— Ryan Reynolds (@hotryanreynolds) March 15, 2021
Taylor Swift thanking James, Inez & Betty & “their parents”
— Becky (@Becky5SOZ) March 15, 2021
so i watced taylor swift’s aoty speech and i just found out that james, inez, and betty are real people
— conservative hoe (@sirhenrik16) March 15, 2021
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