Andrea Swift Gives Taylor A Moving Speech At ACM Awards
Andrea Swift has watched her daughter go from being a normal teen to one of the world’s biggest stars in recent years, and during Sunday night’s Academy of Country Music Awards, she took the stage to share with Taylor’s fans just what stardom has brought for their family.
“I’ve seen music carry her through every emotion … good or bad. For many years I was her constant companion. I witnessed a girl with very few friends become one with many, learning to stand up for the things she believes in. Being brave enough to explore her musical curiosity… Giving herself to those in need… I am a very proud mom. I thank the entire music community for taking such good care of her. And to the fans, I know you love her as I love her. And for that, I thank you eternally,” Andrea Swift said.
The speech came after Swift was given the Milestone Award and was particularly poignant, coming as it did after Taylor announced via social media that her mother is battling cancer. The two have always been close, and though the family has not revealed specifics regarding Andrea’s condition, Swift said she wanted to share the news with her fans because they have always been supportive.
Taylor shared the news about her mother’s battle via Tumblr, where she said she had urged Andrea to get a checkup around the holidays, for her peace of mind.
“The results came in, and I’m saddened to tell you that my mom has been diagnosed with cancer. I’d like to keep the details of her condition and treatment plans private, but she wanted you to know,” Swift wrote.
The hashtag #PrayForMamaSwift soon began trending on Twitter, with Swift’s millions of loyal fans sharing the news and offering words of support to the singer and her family. The “Shake It Off” singer–who has been the subject of recent rumors regarding a possible reunion with Harry Styles–said she wanted to offer up the personal news as a way to motivate her fans to help take care of their own family members, particularly those who haven’t been to the doctor in a while.
“She wanted you to know because your parents may be too busy juggling everything they’ve got going on to go to the doctor, and maybe you reminding them to go get checked for cancer could possibly lead to an early diagnosis and an easier battle… Or peace of mind in knowing that they’re healthy and there’s nothing to worry about,” Taylor Swift wrote to her fans.
[Photo courtesy YouTube]
