Netizens are divided after seeing Taylor Swift dancing with Alicia Keys’ son at the Grammys, where Keys won a prestigious award.
Pop sensation Taylor Swift had all eyes on her at the 67th Grammy Awards on February 2, 2025, as she danced the night away with music icon Alicia Keys’ 7-year-old son, Genesis Dean. While some online viewers swooned over the adorable moment, others felt Swift was vying too hard to be the center of attention.The heartwarming interaction unfolded as an upbeat song from talented artist Shakira’s performance pulsed through the ceremony venue.
Swift, dressed in a dazzling red sequined ensemble paired with a tailored black suit jacket, enthusiastically jumped from side to side, matching the energy of the little boy, who looked dapper in a black suit and bowtie.Holding hands, the duo swayed in rhythm before Swift playfully used the 7-year-old’s arm to twirl herself around. She flashed a beaming smile as onlookers—including Dean’s older brother—watched the wholesome moment unfold.The viral footage was originally filmed and shared on Instagram Stories by Dean’s father, legendary music producer Swizz Beatz.
His post, overlaid with the text “Gen & @taylorswift jamming,” caught the attention of media outlets that then re-shared the clip.The special interaction was not just limited to the dance floor, as cameras also captured touching moments between Swift and Dean. One image showed the pop star leaning in to chat with him.At another point, Swift gave the little boy a heartfelt hug as she smiled widely while he wrapped his arms around her.As the footage of Swift’s dance with Dean spread across social media, netizens quickly shared their opinions. Some viewers gushed over the pop star’s enthusiasm, praising her lively energy and kindness.
“Love Taylor, love her energy, love how she celebrates for [sic] everyone’s wins,” expressed one fan. Another admirer chimed in with, “She’s such a sweetheart ❤️,” while someone else imagined what Swift’s nurturing side might look like, exclaiming, “Imagine her as a mommy!!”Echoing this sentiment, another supporter confidently stated, “She’s going to be a great mom.” Others, however, weren’t as charmed by the moment.
“She’s an attention seeker,” remarked a critic. Another called the interaction “STAGED.” The criticism didn’t stop there, as one viewer expressed their frustration, writing, “So what!!!! She was so annoying last night on the Grammy’s [sic].”Still, many saw the moment for what it was—a fun and spontaneous exchange. “She had a blast! Lots of smiles and dancing!” observed a fan, while another gushed, “How cute!! They are having a ball!!”While Swift’s dance with Dean stirred up mixed reactions online, the night was undeniably a triumphant one for the little boy’s mother, Keys.
The Grammy-winning artist added yet another accolade to her collection, taking home the prestigious Dr. Dre Global Impact Award—a recognition honoring artists who have made significant contributions to music and culture.Presented by legendary artist and actress Queen Latifah, the award highlighted Keys’ decades-long influence in the industry. As she took the stage to accept the honor, the “No One” singer radiated gratitude, delivering a heartfelt speech that paid tribute to those closest to her.
“My magnificent mother, who gave me life, my beautiful kids, Egypt, Genesis, KJ, Nicki, Nas, for sharing me with the world and to my brilliant husband, my soulmate and the ultimate dream weaver, Swizzy,” she said, acknowledging her family’s unwavering support.She also took a moment to uplift her fellow musicians in the room, adding, “And most importantly, to every artist out here tonight, you are brilliant.”
Dressed in a striking black and gold ensemble, Keys exuded regal elegance. Her gown featured intricate gold embellishments, with dazzling chandelier-like jewelry adorning her head and framing her face. With her hair styled in a sleek topknot and her bold red lip adding a pop of color, she commanded the stage with both her words and presence.Keys’ acceptance of the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award was more than just a personal milestone—it was a historic moment as she became the first woman ever to receive the prestigious honor.
The award had only been given twice before, first to Dr. Dre himself in 2023 and later to famous rapper Jay-Z in 2024. Now, Keys has joined the elite list of trailblazers.Reflecting on her journey, Keys spoke candidly about the challenges she has faced in the music industry, particularly as a female producer. “I always had to fight for a certain level of respect as a songwriter, a composer, and especially, a producer,” she admitted, addressing an issue many women in the field have long encountered.She challenged the industry’s perception, questioning why women weren’t as readily recognized as producers on the level of Quincy Jones, or Dr. Dre—a reality she called out before shining a light on the contributions of Patrice Rushen, Missy Elliott, Linda Perry, Grimes, and Solange Knowles.”We stand together, so it’s a beautiful feeling to be acknowledged for the thing I always thought people didn’t really recognize about me,” she continued, dedicating her award to “all the ladies that know the magic that they bring to the room.”
Beyond her personal reflections, Keys used her moment in the spotlight to address a broader issue—the increasing threats to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the U.S.”This is not the time to shut down the diversity of voices. We’ve seen on this stage talented, hard-working people from different backgrounds, with different points of view, and it changes the game. DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift—and the more voices, the more powerful the sound,” she declared, emphasizing the importance of representation in the artsWith her signature poetic eloquence, Keys likened the resilience of artists and marginalized communities to the mythological phoenix rising from the ashes. She ended her speech with a heartfelt appeal for “soul care,” urging people to continue fostering empathy, compassion, and opportunity in the industry.
Keys’ latest accolade adds to her already staggering legacy at the Grammys. Since making her Grammy debut in 2002—when she scored five wins, including Best New Artist and Song of the Year for “Fallin'”—she has continued to be a dominant force.
Over the years, she has been nominated 32 times and has earned 17 Grammy wins, spanning multiple categories from Best R&B Album to Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for her and Jay-Z’s hit “Empire State of Mind.”Most recently, she celebrated another victory when she won Best Musical Theater Album for “Hell’s Kitchen,” the Broadway production inspired by her life.
Following the momentous affair, Keys took to Instagram to share glimpses of her unforgettable night at the 67th Grammy Awards.The singer posted a series of photos capturing some of the evening’s most special moments—including heartwarming snapshots with her family, candid shots with fellow stars like Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus, and images of her Dr. Dre Global Impact Award.Expressing her gratitude and awe, Keys kept her caption short yet reflective of the magic of the night. “Wow!! what a night…. ✨✨✨🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 🙏🏾✨✨✨,” penned the star, allowing the pictures to speak for themselves.Alicia Keys was not the only member of her family who appeared to have a blast at the awards show, as the dancing video of her youngest son showed that he, too, had some fun while dancing with Swift.The recent commentary surrounding that moment is not the first time Taylor Swift has garnered a flurry of online attention for her dancing, as social media users were quick to react to video footage of her jamming during fellow artist Sabrina Carpenter’s performance.Swift arrived at the ceremony wearing her shimmering red sleeveless mini-dress with her golden hair worn loose. During the show, she was seen in the audience swaying to Carpenter’s performance of “Please Please Please.”At one moment, Swift placed her hands together in a prayer-like gesture while moving to the beat. Shortly after, she turned to her longtime collaborator and producer Jack Antonoff, who worked on the track with Carpenter, and shook his shoulders in excitement.While some online spectators praised Swift’s enthusiasm, others felt she was drawing attention away from Carpenter’s moment on stage.
On Instagram, one user commented, “Can’t she just let someone else have the spotlight?” Another added, “Entitled enough to think she doesn’t have to sit like everyone else.”Facebook users also shared their thoughts, with one writing, “inappropriate for her to draw attention to herself while Sabrina is performing. Immaturity [sic].” Another commented, “There she go’s [sic] stealing the spotlight.”Carpenter delivered a high-energy performance that included a medley of her hits. The night marked a major milestone for the 25-year-old singer, who had a breakthrough moment at the 67th Grammy Awards.She entered the evening with six nominations and walked away with two wins—Best Pop Vocal Album for “Short n’ Sweet” and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Espresso.”Her nominations included Best New Artist, Album of the Year for “Short n’ Sweet,” Song of the Year for “Please Please Please,” and Record of the Year for “Espresso.” With her latest achievements, Carpenter cemented her place among today’s top pop artists.After winning Best Pop Vocal Album, Carpenter took the stage to deliver a heartfelt speech. “I’m still out of breath from the performance, so I really was not expecting this,” she said, reflecting on the moment.
Read also
