Last night (Aug. 14) marked the one year anniversary of Taylor Swift’s sexual assault trial — a bittersweet victory for the singer when she was awarded justice for her personal #MeToo fight.
At her sold-out Reputation Tour stop in Tampa, Fla. on Tuesday night, Swift took a moment to give an emotional speech about the day she was believed by the jury.
“This exact day a year ago, I was not playing a sold out stadium in Tampa. I was in a courtroom in Denver, Colorado. This day a year ago was the day that the jury sided in my favor and said that they believed me,” the 28-year-old told fans. “I just think about all the people that weren’t believed, and the people who haven’t been believed, or the people who are afraid to speak up because they think they won’t be believed.”
On the verge of tears, Swift then proceeded to apologize to all the victims of sexual assault who may have not received the justice that she had gotten. “I’m sorry to anyone who ever wasn’t believed because I don’t know what turn my life would have taken if people didn’t believe me when I said that something had happened to me,” she said. “I just wanted to say that we have so so so much further to go and I’m so grateful to you guys for being there for me during what was a really horrible part of my life.”
Swift concluded the speech by thanking fans for supporting her during the difficult time, adding, “I’m so grateful to you guys for being there for me during what was a really horrible part of my life.”
Fans then held up $1 bills after Swift’s speech to commemorate the singer’s strength.
Protect Taylor Swift at all costs pic.twitter.com/DouswxyOen
— natasha (@natnieIs) August 15, 2018
In August of last year, Swift was involved in a court battle against David Mueller — the former radio DJ that groped her at a meet and greet photo session in June 2013. Mueller first sued Swift for $3 million claiming defamation, and Swift fired back with a counter lawsuit for assault and sought a symbolic $1. She won.
?? #RepTourTampa pic.twitter.com/zpJTfIOrTf
— com amor, lolo —- (@shakeswifty) August 15, 2018