Kelly Stafford admits she’s emotionally shaken after Swifties’ backlash over her Taylor Swift comments.

Kelly Stafford never expected her casual remarks about Taylor Swift to unleash a tidal wave of fury. But after voicing her frustration over seeing the pop superstar dominate her social media feed, she found herself at the centre of a brutal online firestorm.

Speaking to Us Weekly, the wife of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford revealed the extent of the emotional toll the backlash took on her. “Comments that are mean, they hurt my feelings,” she admitted. “I have feelings, and I’m not going to sit here and act like I don’t.”

The controversy erupted after Stafford discussed Swift on The Morning After podcast, where she mentioned how constant exposure to the singer had diminished the excitement of following her life. “When you’re constantly seeing someone on your social media every scroll, you kind of lose that love, you know?” she explained.

That seemingly innocent remark was all it took to ignite the fury of Swift’s notoriously passionate fanbase. The Swifties swarmed Stafford’s social media, bombarding her with criticism. Some called her jealous. Others accused her of trying to tear down a woman at the peak of her success. The sheer volume of vitriol left Stafford shaken.

“It’s scary because, even as an adult, my self-confidence is intertwined with people that are commenting who don’t even know me,” she confessed. The relentless wave of negativity made her reflect on how much weight she gives to public perception.

Despite the backlash, Stafford insisted she holds no resentment towards Swift. “I was like, ‘Whoa, I love Taylor,’” she said, clarifying that her remarks were never meant as an attack. However, she stood by her original statement, reiterating that Swift’s omnipresence on social media had somewhat dulled the intrigue surrounding her.

Her experience highlights the power—and the peril—of Swift’s fanbase. Swifties are known for their unwavering support of the singer, but they have also built a reputation for fiercely defending her against even the mildest criticism. Celebrities, journalists, and public figures have all faced their wrath, and Stafford has now found herself as the latest in a long line of those caught in the crossfire.

While Stafford remains steadfast in her beliefs, she admits the episode has been a harsh lesson in the perils of public commentary. “I’ve tried to develop some thick skin to understand what my values are and stick to those regardless of what people say about me,” she reflected. But as the backlash proved, navigating the internet’s relentless scrutiny is easier said than done.