Finn Wolfhard’s Controversial Performance: Referencing the 2009 VMA Incident

Finn Wolfhard, known for his role in Stranger Things, has found himself at the center of a social media storm after a recent performance included a direct reference to one of the most infamous moments in pop culture history: Kanye West’s interruption of Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. A video of the performance quickly went viral, igniting a heated debate online.

The Incident Recreated

During a performance of an unreleased track, Wolfhard unexpectedly sang the exact line West used to interrupt Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video for “You Belong With Me” at the 2009 VMAs. He delivered the line, “Yo Taylor, I’m really happy for you imma let you finish but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time,” shocking audiences and prompting immediate backlash.

Social Media Reacts

The decision to revisit such a contentious moment sparked widespread criticism. Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), were flooded with reactions. Many users expressed their disappointment and disapproval, questioning Wolfhard’s judgment. Some comments included:

• “Sampling a n/zi who jumped a 19yo girl, he is so cocky for this.”
• “What a weirdo. Why is he sampling a n*zi? Embarrassing loser.”
• “He thought he was being funny with this but this is sooooo cringe.”
• “Why would he think this is a good idea bro?”

Beyond the direct quote, reports also surfaced that Wolfhard briefly incorporated lines from Swift’s original thank-you speech before transitioning into West’s interruption. This further fueled the controversy.

Teasing New Music

The performance surfaced shortly after Wolfhard teased new music on his Instagram and X accounts. He shared a studio photo on April 15th with the caption, “You got the money honey, I got the time,” which is believed to be a lyric from the upcoming track. Fans are now speculating whether the controversial sample will appear in the official release. The incident has certainly generated significant buzz around his forthcoming project.

This incident raises questions about artistic license, the responsibility of artists when referencing sensitive cultural moments, and the lasting impact of the 2009 VMA controversy. The event continues to be a talking point, as highlighted in Rolling Stone’s retrospective on the event.