ZB might have deleted his Twitter, but he’s trying to make amends on Instagram.
Zach Bryan has a toxic relationship with Twitter or X, whatever you call it these days. The Oklahoma native is notorious for sharing his unfiltered thoughts on the platform (which to be clear, we fully support… let it rip Zach). When his Tweets start receiving backlash, often from when he is intoxicated, instead of ignoring them and moving on with his life, he pulls himself into a vicious cycle.
He apologizes, deactivates his account, comes back, promises not to drink and Tweet again, and the cycle repeats.
When Bryan finds himself in this cycle’s “coming back to the platform” stage, he usually keeps any afterthoughts short and sweet (if he chooses to say anything). But, after this most recent incident, he is taking to another social platform to apologize and explain himself.
On Tuesday, September 17th, Bryan Tweeted that Kanye West was better than Taylor Swift, and the Swifties came for his jugular.
.@zachlanebryan fuck you and your chicken girlfriend you’re nothing more than a narcissistic crybaby and you continue to embarrass yourself time and time again. taykarma will come for you soon pic.twitter.com/KNu3xRv6ud
— iva ⸆⸉🤍 London N6 (@smokessignals) September 18, 2024
And to be fair… it’s a valid take. Despite Kanye’s, let’s call them “off the stage issues,” it’s tough to deny his musical genius, especially in those early albums before things went off the rails. Taylor is obviously in a league of her own when it comes to her level of superstar, but I think we can safely say (and a number of Twitter comments agreed) that music is subjective, and some like Taylor Swift more than Kanye West. Some like Kanye West more… both are fair.
Instead of letting the Swifties (who are notorious for going after anyone who does not idolize Swift as they do) get over the Tweet, he doubled down, admitting that he was drinking while Tweeting that but did not mean harm by it.
But the Swifties did not have it, and like any other time, he came under fire on the social media platform…poof, he disappeared.
However, the matter must be keeping ZB awake at night because he felt the need to post a lengthy apology on his Instagram story, further explaining himself.
“For the record guys, I wasn’t coming for Taylor the other night. I was drunkenly comparing two records and it came out wrong. I know there’s a lot of stuff that clouds around Ye, and I was speaking purely musically. I love Taylor’s music and pray you guys know I’m human and Tweet stupid things often.
Hope one day I can explain this to her. Twitter gets me in trouble too much, and I’d say it’s best I stay off it. I’m sorry to any Taylor Swift fans I p*ssed off or let down. Love you guys, and I’m trying my best!”
He followed that message up with a second Instagram story.
“I’ve been going through a hard time in my own life, and I think I was projecting a little. To be honest, it just came off as rude and desensitized to Taylor. I respect her so much as a musician that the last thing I want is people thinking I don’t appreciate and love what she has done for music.
Okay, that’s the last of it! I love you guys and hope you guys understand. Don’t drink and Tweet. Don’t drink and Tweet!!”
News flash: That was not the last of it.
“Not saving face here, but Taylor has been a force of nature for as long as we’ve all been growing up, and I admire that. I’m going to listen to this record now. [‘Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)’]
I never want people to think I have a hint of malice or meanness toward anyone, ever. That’s all I’m saying all this. Everyone have the best day of all time, I love ya.”
zach bryan’s wrote us a whole essay 😭 pic.twitter.com/TmgEHiuopW
— tia⸆⸉🎀 (@youarein1ove2) September 19, 2024
After those three slides, ZB explained himself and had one last message to share with fans. He further apologized for his “stupid” tweets and provided fans with a small action plan to better himself.
“This year has been an awful lot on me in personal ways that no one knows, and I’ve been trying to cope and balance too many things at once. So, I’m going to take a breather from Tweeting stupid stuff, finish my tour, and ground myself somehow in the midst of this. I feel very, very blessed each day.
Not taking it for granted and holding onto it has been so important to me. Okay, needed to get this off my chest. Y’all are the best, and I’ll see you at Bourbon and Beyond.”
It seems this has all weighed heavily on Bryan, given how many times he posted to his Instagram story, apologizing and praising Swift for her music. And if you know anything about Zach’s music, it would make sense that things affect him on an emotional level. He wears his heart on sleeve, for better or for worse, and his fans love him for it. But I can imagine that it’s hard having everything he says under a microscope all the time.
Only time will tell if ZB stays off Twitter through the end of the Quttin’ Time Tour and if he puts his words into action, but I would rather have him back on Twitter… sharing his untethered thoughts and feelings with the world. After a few beers or stone cold sober, doesn’t matter… give me all the Zach Bryan takes.
We’ll miss you, ol’ son.