Anti-alcohol activist James Swanwick has been branded a “misogynist” after criticizing Taylor Swift for “drinking beer” for the camera at the Super Bowl.
James, who has been sober for 12 years, was disappointed to see the superstar pick up a jug and row it over as the camera focused on her in the million-dollar VIP box during the big game.
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 game day action.
“In my opinion, Taylor Swift drinking alcohol on national television and thinking it’s cool or funny is idiotic and embarrassing,” he said.
“It has simply perpetuated the mistaken belief that alcohol is desirable.”
James Swanwick criticized Taylor for having a drink while on the Jumbotron
James has been sober for 12 years; He’s a Swiftie and says she’s an amazing role model, but her behavior left him disappointed.
Speaking to FEMAIL after the viral post, James admitted that using the term “embarrassing” might have been too much, and he could have described the moment using other words.
But he firmly believes Taylor did something wrong by drinking beer at the star-studded event while millions of people tuned in.
“Intentionally drinking beer on the Jumbotron and being proud of it perpetuates the mistaken and destructive belief that drinking alcohol is fun, enjoyable and desirable,” he said.
“When in reality alcohol is nothing more than an attractively packaged poison and just one drink a day has been shown to have a degenerative effect on the brain.”
James emphasized that he thinks Taylor is an incredible role model, but her behavior at the Super Bowl “fell short.”
“She can do whatever she wants behind closed doors,” he said.
“But I am disappointed that she intentionally glamorized the drink on international television while millions of children watched.”
James went on to say that Taylor Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce has brought millions of young female eyes to the NFL.
It has also enticed many of them to watch the Super Bowl, to the point that female-focused brands like Dove even advertised during the big game.
“Young girls might now think that drinking alcohol is glamorous, fun or cool,” he said, worried.
Some people criticized James and sent him messages criticizing his public stance.
Another sent him this message.
Others said he needs to be careful what he says to women.
James had previously criticized George Clooney, The Rock and Ryan Reynolds for glamorizing alcohol, but his posts had never generated so much controversy.
‘I was surprised by the reaction to my post. I was seeing it: in the first hour 100 followers disappeared, in the second hour 100 followers disappeared, I lost 1,600 in 24 hours,” he said.
‘The irony is that I love Taylor Swift. I’m trying to get tickets for concerts in London.
James was inundated with messages from Swifties who labeled him a misogynist, revealed they were unfollowing him and told him to leave her alone.
Others let him know they would no longer subscribe.
“Never put women down,” one woman wrote.
‘Shaming a woman for having a drink? You and I not drinking alcohol is fine, but scolding people for having an unspecified drink is not. And misogyny.’
Another told him to “give Taylor a break.”
“The misogynistic undercurrents here are serious. She doesn’t answer you.
A third said: ‘Who did God make you to judge her?’
But others congratulated him for criticizing her.
‘Millions of girls will drink beer because of it. It’s sad but true,’ a woman agreed.
But many sent him messages to let him know that they agreed with what he had said.
Others thanked him for presenting his views.
“I have a 17-year-old daughter who is obsessed with Taylor Swift, and seeing her drinking alcohol like that was disappointing. She is a very influential lady and although it may be difficult for her, she still has a responsibility,” said another.
James has been sober since 2012, after deciding one day while suffering from a terrible hangover to go 30 days without drinking.
In 2015 he started a business aimed at helping people stop or reduce their alcohol consumption.
Now you have a 90 day program called Alcohol-free lifestyle to help people quit alcohol for good.