Taylor Swift was on the brink of giving up her illustrious career because of an ongoing conflict with Kim Kardashian.
Sept. 23, 2025, Published 5:00 p.m. ET
Taylor Swift nearly stepped away from the limelight following her infamous feud with Kim Kardashian, which erupted into one of the most discussed controversies in pop culture. This revelation comes from a new documentary by Channel 4.
In a dramatic turn of events back in 2016, the pop sensation displayed a vulnerable side when Kardashian labeled her a âsnakeâ in a viral tweet, igniting a wave of overwhelming backlash directed at Swift.
Article continues below advertisement
What Prompted Swiftâs Decision to Quit?
Article continues below advertisement
The conflict with Kardashian significantly impacted Swiftâs desire to continue her music career.
Article continues below advertisement
The situation escalated due to long-standing tensions tied to Kardashianâs former husband Kanye West, leading Swift to retreat from the public eye and contemplate her future in the music industry.
A contributor to the documentary remarked, âThere were moments when Taylor was on the verge of quitting. The backlash from Kimâs tweet was overwhelming. She received death threats, and her reputation suffered immensely overnight, leaving her feeling utterly helpless.â
Another fan, who participated in the documentary, noted, âNo matter what she did, the tag of being a âsnakeâ was unyielding. It was as if no good deed could redeem her. It became completely chaotic, beyond her control.â
Article continues below advertisement
The Infamous âSnakeâ Tweet
Article continues below advertisement
Kardashianâs infamous tweet ignited widespread chaos and backlash.
Article continues below advertisement
Kardashianâs infamous tweet came out on July 17, 2016, stating: âWait, itâs legit National Snake Day?!?!? They have holidays for everybody, I mean everything these days!â She followed it up with snake emojis.
This tweet reignited an old feud that dates back to 2009, when West infamously interrupted Swift during her acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards. At just 19, Swift stood in shock while West proclaimed that Beyoncé deserved the award instead.
The upcoming documentary series, set to air on September 30, will explore how the 2016 conflict dramatically shifted the trajectory of Swiftâs career. It will illustrate how the âsnakeâ narrative spread wildly across social media, resulting in Swift stepping back from public engagements for almost an entire year.
Article continues below advertisement
The documentary sheds light on Swiftâs difficulties during this turbulent period.
READ MORE ON EXCLUSIVES
Article continues below advertisement
This new documentary features insights from online commentators, industry insiders, and devoted fans (âSwiftiesâ), tracing Swiftâs evolution from a hopeful teen songwriter to a focal point of intense media scrutiny.
The film promises rare archival footage that reveals how Swift strategically navigated the tumult following her conflict with Kardashian and West, ultimately leading to her resurgence in the industry.
Director Guy King stated, âTaylor Swift is an extraordinarily influential voice for women and young people in the 21st century. Amidst the social media spotlight and the waves of controversy, she has managed to turn adversity into triumph. We look forward to illustrating her incredible journey.â
Shaminder Nahal, Channel 4âs head of specialist factual programming, expressed enthusiasm about the documentary, stating, âWeâre excited to see Sandpaper and Guy Kingâs unique storytelling approach showcase the impact Taylor Swift has made on culture. Her career is full of remarkable highs and lows, sadness and artistry, and we hope this series presents the various sides of her narrative that viewers may not yet know.â
The two-part series is scheduled to air on Channel 4 on Tuesday, September 30, at 9:15 PM.
© Copyright 2025 RADAR ONLINEâąïž. A DIVISION OF MYSTIFY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK INC. RADAR ONLINE is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.