Taylor Swift Just Performed at the AMAs and Twitter Is Comparing It to a Witch Ritual
Taylor Swift performed at the 2018 American Music Awards and Twitter had a lot of feelings. See how the internet reacted to Swift's first award show performance in three years here.


On Tuesday night, Taylor Swift gave her first award show performance in three years at the 2018 American Music Awards. The Reputation singer opened up the show singing "I Did Something Bad" from the album, and she killed it. At one point, Swift pointed to herself while singing, "They're burning all the witches, even if you aren't one."
Her performance comes only two days after she made a rare political statement on her Instagram endorsing two Tennessee Democratic candidates, Phil Bredesen and Jim Cooper, ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. "In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now," she wrote on Instagram. "I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country."
After Swift made her endorsement, voter registration increased, and fans analyzed her performance very closely. They quite literally compared it to a witch ritual when she sang the lyrics, "They're burning all the witches, even if you aren't one."
twitter watching taylor swift arrive at the AMAs after her instagram post inspired 240,000 people to register to vote pic.twitter.com/nPbMAWvdqFOctober 9, 2018
TAYLOR SWIFT HAD A COMEBACK PERFORMANCE OF A LIFETIME AND ENDED THE MALE SPECIES IN THE PROGRESS I LOVE HER I LOVE HER I LOVE HER #TaylorSwiftAMAS #AMAs pic.twitter.com/F1V103205pOctober 10, 2018
I’m so emotional rn.. @taylorswift13 did not come to playOctober 10, 2018
This Taylor Swift performance is giving me major Scarlet Witch vibes & I am HERE. FOR. IT. #AMAsOctober 10, 2018
This Taylor Swift performance is giving me major Scarlet Witch vibes & I am HERE. FOR. IT. #AMAsOctober 10, 2018
LAST NIGHT TAYLOR SWIFT DECIDED TO SPEAK OUT HER MIND AND TOMORROW NIGHT SHE'S PERFORMING I DID SOMETHING BAD WHICH INCLUDES THE LYRICS "IF A MAN TALKS SHIT THEN I OWE HIM NOTHING" AND "THEY'RE BURNING ALL THE WITCHES EVEN IF YOU AREN'T ONE" THAT'S HAVING BIG DICK ENERGYOctober 8, 2018
Swift is nominated in four categories tonight: artist of the year; favorite female artist, pop/rock; favorite album, pop/rock; and favorite tour of the year.
RELATED STORY
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Rachel Epstein is a writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. Most recently, she was the Managing Editor at Coveteur, where she oversaw the site’s day-to-day editorial operations. Previously, she was an editor at Marie Claire, where she wrote and edited culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also launched and managed the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game or finding a new coffee shop.
-
Blake Lively Is Reviving My Early ‘00s Obsession With This Nail Trend
Minimalist nails with a little something extra.
-
Will 'Weak Hero Class' Return for Season 3? Park Ji-hoon Shares His Hopes for the Hit K-Drama's Senior Year
Fans are clamoring for more after that shocking cliffhanger.
-
Prince Charles Made an "Improper" Suggestion Before Their Marriage, Per Diana
*Clutches pearls*
-
Travis Kelce Emerges in Las Vegas Without Taylor Swift for a Night Out With a Pop Star
The "Blank Space" singer was nowhere to be seen.
-
Joe Jonas Responded to a Fan Who Quoted Taylor Swift Lyrics at Him
Mr. Perfectly Fine has responded to "Mr. Perfectly Fine".
-
Taylor Swift Is Reportedly Being Subpoenaed in Relation to Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's Legal Dispute
She's supposedly the "megacelebrity friend" in Baldoni's lawsuit.
-
Why Gracie Abrams Feels "Lucky" to Have Witnessed Taylor Swift Dealing with Fame
Abrams opened for Swift during the Eras Tour.
-
Serena Williams Avoided Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl for One Important Reason
Sorry, Olympia. You'll have to get that autograph next time.
-
Travis Kelce's Mom Reportedly "Liked" a Comment About His Future as a Dad
...and then removed it.
-
Taylor Swift Fans Just Spotted a Major Clue That She's Working on a New Album
It was hidden in *checks notes* an interview with a Swedish DJ.
-
Ed Sheeran Shares What It's Really Like When He and Taylor Swift Hang Out
Their relationship has shifted over time.