Anti-alcohol campaigner James Swanwick has been branded a ‘misogynist’ after criticizing Taylor Swift for ‘swigging beer’ on camera during the Super Bowl.
James, who has been sober for 12 years, was disappointed to see the superstar pick up a hot water bottle and turn it towards her as the camera panned to her in the million-dollar VIP box during the big match.
The 48-year-old, who considers himself a Swiftie, claims he lost 1,600 followers in 24 hours after posting about the Anti-Hero hitmaker’s gameday campaign.
“Taylor Swift drinking alcohol on national television and thinking it’s cool or funny is, in my opinion, idiotic and embarrassing,” he said.
“She has only perpetuated the false belief that alcohol is desirable.”
James Swanwick berated Taylor for having a drink while on the Jumbotron
James has been sober for 12 years – he’s a Swiftie and says she’s a great role model, but her behavior left him feeling let down
Speaking to FEMAIL in the wake of the viral post, James admitted that using the term “embarrassing” might have been too much – and that he could have described the moment in different words.
But he firmly believes Taylor did the wrong thing by drinking the beer at the star-studded event as millions of people tuned in to watch her.
“Intentionally drinking beer on the Jumbotron, and taking pride in it, perpetuates the false and destructive belief that drinking alcohol is fun, cool and desirable,” he said.
‘When in reality alcohol is just an attractively packaged poison and just one drink a day has been shown to have a degenerative impact on the brain.’
James emphasized that he thinks Taylor is a great role model, but that her behavior during the Super Bowl “fell short.”
“She can do whatever she wants behind closed doors,” he said.
“But I am disappointed that she deliberately glorified drinking on international television with millions of children watching.”
James went on to say that Taylor Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce has millions of young female eyes on the NFL.
It has also enticed many to watch the Super Bowl – so much so that female-focused brands like Dove even advertised during the big game.
“Young girls now may think that drinking alcohol is glamorous, funny or cool,” he said with concern.
Some people disliked James and sent him messages criticizing his public stance
Someone else sent him this message
Others said he should be careful what he says to women
James has previously criticized George Clooney, The Rock and Ryan Reynolds for glorifying alcohol, but his posts have never caused as much controversy.
‘I was surprised by the response to my message. “I looked at it: in the first hour, 100 followers were gone, in the second hour, 100 followers were gone, I lost 1,600 in 24 hours,” he said.
“The irony is, I love Taylor Swift. I’m trying to get tickets for the concerts in London.’
James was inundated with messages from Swifties who branded him a misogynist, revealed they would unfollow him and told him to leave her alone.
Others informed him they would no longer subscribe
“Never, ever post women,” one woman wrote.
“Shaming a woman for having a drink? It’s fine that you and I don’t drink alcohol, but scolding people for drinking an unspecified drink is not. And the misogyny.”
Another told him to “give Taylor a break.”
“The misogynistic undercurrents here are disgusting. She doesn’t answer.’
A third said: ‘Who made you God to judge her?’
But others congratulated him for calling her.
‘Millions of little girls will drink beer because of it. It’s sad but true,” one woman agreed.
But many messaged him to let him know they agreed with what he had said
Others thanked him for putting forward his views
“I have a 17-year-old daughter who is obsessed with Taylor Swift, and it was disappointing to see her drinking alcohol like that. She is a very influential lady and while that may be difficult for her, she still has a responsibility,” said another.
James has been sober since 2012, after one day when he had a terrible hangover he decided not to drink for 30 days.
In 2015, he started a company aimed at helping people stop or reduce their alcohol consumption.
Now he has dubbed a 90 Day show Alcohol-free lifestyle to help people quit drinking for good.