A Lot of People Think Taylor Swift Ripped Off Beyoncé's 'Homecoming' at the BBMAs

Taylor Swift and Panic! at the Disco's Brendon Urie kicked off the Billboard Music Awards last night (May 1) with a performance of their new hit "ME!" — but a lot of onlookers thought they were having "Deja Vu." As many people pointed out on Twitter, there were some similarities between Swift's opening act and Beyoncé's recent Homecoming film.
 
Swift's performance began with a massive marching band walking through aisles and perched atop multi-tiered stages, eventually revealing Swift's walk-out reveal. The drumline continued to play throughout the song, putting a new spin on the just-released studio version — just as they did for Bey throughout her 2018 Coachella sets.
 
Furthermore, the live rehearsal version of "ME!" was released on limited-edition vinyl yesterday, drawing comparisons to Bey's live album and behind-the-scenes look at rehearsals in Homecoming.
 
And to boot, many pointed out that Swift's colourful fringe-covered dress looked awfully similar to the, uh, boots that Beyoncé wore at Beychella.
 
From there, the similarities dissipated as pantsuits, flying umbrellas and explosions of pastel-coloured smoke took over.
 
Nevertheless, the controversial tune is drawing even more ire from the internet after the BBMAs performance. See some of the criticism below, followed by Beyoncé's Coachella entrance and Swift's full performance video.
 

TAYLOR SWIFT JUST BIT TF OUTTA BEYONCE ON THE BILLBOARD AWARDS ... I'm 💀😭😭😭💀💀💀💀 where is the beyhive???? pic.twitter.com/hWvRcKK4an

— Jamilah Michelle (@jamilahmichelle) May 2, 2019

Beyonce didn't invent a drum line but you can't convince me that Taylor Swift, from her early years on a Christmas tree farm, came up with this just like that 😂 Sorry.

— Lil Conch Snack 🐚 (@abbracadabra_) May 2, 2019

I don't know if y'all are seeing this but Taylor Swift is gentrifying Beyonce's Coachella performance right now

— Guide Lee (@Chuck_Des) May 2, 2019

I see that Taylor Swift watched Beyoncé's "Homecoming" more than once. #BBMAs

— Erin Ashley (@ellhah) May 2, 2019

Beyoncé looking at Taylor Swift performance pic.twitter.com/g9PA1VtV7m

— Marley (@irondyketyson) May 2, 2019

Taylor Swift's performance is the white  girl mediocre version of Beyoncé's Coachella set. Don't @ me, @ your mom.

— Isaac (@zackdrewb) May 2, 2019

taylor swift watched homecoming by beyonce ONCE and thought "now THIS is something i can steal from women of color again"

— arabesque 🍜 (@tshavntuj916) May 2, 2019

Not only did taylor swift rip off Beyonce's #Homecoming by trying to appropriate a culture that is not hers, but this bitch also tried to look like Beyonce's boots. Smh🤦🏾‍♀️😑.
Just goes to show beyonce is inspiration to these bitches pic.twitter.com/l8wOBAGWRz

— Queen_Goddess_Bey (@QueenBeyGoddess) May 2, 2019

Beyonce: headlines Coachella with an all black drum line and band
Taylor Swift: opens #BBMAs with a mostly white drum line playing off beat.

Can't wait for everyone to praise her originality🙃

— Nathan MacKinnon (@NathanMackinnon) May 2, 2019

Beyoncé served us Fried Chicken with macaroni and cheese and collard greens with Hamhocks and homemade skillet cornbread

And here come Taylor swift with rotisserie chicken and potato salad with raisins pic.twitter.com/Nh1a4Sv36C

— Wanda Maximoff stan account (@ThatsJaymar) May 2, 2019

Taylor Swift, imma let you finish but, Beyoncé had the greatest drumline of all time.

— Natalie Caña🇵🇷🇩🇴 (@NatCanaWrites) May 2, 2019

I see Taylor Swift is doing the Great Value Version of Beyoncé's Homecoming  #BBMAs pic.twitter.com/OkFdNJPthV

— ✌🏽 (@DopealiciousJ) May 2, 2019