Taylor Swift

Billboard Music Awards Belong To Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift

20 May 2012 23:36:09 EDT

Show also features tributes to Whitney Houston, Donna Summer, MCA and Robin Gibb.
By Gil Kaufman

Sunday night's (May 20) Billboard Music Awards were a bittersweet affair, balancing the promise of decades of entertainment from a new generation of record-smashing young artists like Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift with fond memories of a number of recently departed musical icons.

In a three-hour show heavy on performances, chart staples LMFAO helped kicked the show off with a typically hyped performance of their inescapable party anthems that featured a cabbage-patching teddy bear and zebra and more animal prints than a Flintstones family reunion.

Justin Bieber was the night's first winner, taking the Top Social Artist award for his huge online presence. The singer swaggered up to the stage and, in an uncharacteristically emotional moment, said, "I just want to say how much of a blessing it's been ... the past three or four years, growing up in front of everybody. ... I want to thank all my fans, because the Internet is where I got my start, and all my fans have helped me get to this position."

Co-host Julie Bowen took a moment out of the program early on to pay tribute to late Bee Gees member Robin Gibb, who died earlier in the day Sunday after a long battle with cancer. The night also featured a touching tribute to recently passed disco queen Donna Summer by Natasha Bedingfield and a segment devoted to music legend Whitney Houston with a medley of her indelible hits performed by John Legend and Jordin Sparks.

Daughter Bobbi Kristina accepted the Billboard Millennium Award on behalf of her late mother. "I just really want to say thank you to everyone who supported us through it all," she said. "Not just when it was good, but when it was bad too ... thank you so much for showing that much love, because she deserved it."

Katy Perry was handed the Spotlight Award for tying the record set by Michael Jackson of five #1 hits from the same album, for her handful of smashes from Teenage Dream. Dressed in a floor-length sparkling silver gown, her hair a muted dark purple, Perry said she was "incredibly honored" to be in the same category as someone like Jackson.

"Most of all, of course, I always say that the people have the power, so I want to say thank you to the glittering, gorgeous community of fans out there," she added to wild applause, while finding a spare few seconds to plug her upcoming 3-D concert film, "Part of Me." Oh, and she said she couldn't wait to do shots later that night with her 91-year-old granny, who was in the audience.

The ladies had a great night, as Taylor Swift was honored with the Billboard Woman of the Year award, acknowledging her stadium full of impressive credits, including a place as the only woman in music history to score three #1 albums in a row, each of which has sold more than 5 million copies. Swift, 22, dressed in a flowing red evening gown and ever gracious, thanked her legions of fans, saying, "I just love you so much, I'm just so humbled and honored by this."

As Miley Cyrus noted, you're only new to the game once, so it was fitting that red-hot rapper Wiz Khalifa best the competition for the Top New Artist trophy. "I'm up here shakin', man," the rapper admitted as he thanked his whole crew and label family, as well as his "beautiful fiancée," Amber Rose. "She's my world and she puts up with my crazy butt, too," he smiled, as Rose beamed from her seat in the audience.

Some other men got a bit of attention as well, with an absent Lil Wayne beating out Chris Brown, Drake, Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber for Male Artist of the Year.

Hot 100 Song of the Year was a tight race featuring smashes from Adele, Perry, Maroon 5 and Pitbull. But could it have gone to anyone but LMFAO for "Party Rock Anthem"? With six weeks atop the Hot 100, the uncle/nephew duo scored the third longest-running top 10 hit of all time. "This is a dream come true," said singer Redfoo. A short time later, Khalifa shouted out the Beastie Boys' MCA before LMFAO were up on the stage again for the Top Duo or Group prize.

Brown got his chance a bit later with a win in the R&B Artist of the Year category, Foster the People took Top Rock Song for "Pumped Up Kicks," Coldplay were named Top Rock Artist, U2 Top Touring Act, Lady Gaga Top Dance Artist and an Icon Award for Stevie Wonder. For a full list of Sunday night's winners, head to Billboard.com.

Among the night's other performers, Kelly Clarkson made the televised debut of her rocking ballad "Dark Side" and British boy banders the Wanted were busy "Chasing the Sun" and saying they were "Glad You Came" above the sound of shrieks from their female admirers. Brown rode his glowing BMX bike out for a high-energy lip-synched run through "Turn Up the Music," while Usher got all gothic and mysterious with a flashy, Las Vegas-worthy, high-concept staging of "Scream."

Bieber stalked the DayGlo stage for a clown- and geisha-assisted future-funk performance of "Boyfriend," followed by his protégé Carly Rae Jepsen singing "Call Me Maybe" and Carrie Underwood standing her ground amid a sea of blowing fans during "Blown Away."

In addition, the performance-heavy show had Linkin Park cranking up the flames for "Burn It Down," Nelly Furtado sporting "Big Hoops," Alicia Keys jamming with Icon winner Wonder, Perry doing a high-wire act in the virtual clouds during "Wide Awake" and Cee Lo Green and Goodie Mob joined by a one-legged Cirque du Soleil break dancer on "Fight to Win" and a stage full of dancing kids for a cover of the Beasties' "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)" in another nod to MCA.

What was your favorite part of the Billboard Music Awards? Let us know in the comments below!

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Taylor Swift Donates $4 Million For Music Education

17 May 2012 12:04:57 EDT

Singer's donation to Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is second largest in Nashville museum's history.
By John Mitchell

Taylor Swift has a reputation for being a good girl with a big heart, and when you pair that with her sizable bank account, you get one very large charitable donation that will benefit music education for both children and senior citizens.

The six-time Grammy winner has donated $4 million to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville to fund what will now be known as the Taylor Swift Education Center, an exhibit and classroom space scheduled to open in 2014.

"In terms of what it will allow us to do, we do education very well now," museum director Kyle Young told the Associated Press (via Billboard). "It will allow us to do what we do better, serve more people, develop new programs, and I'm happy to say that as we talked through this opportunity with Taylor, she very much wants to be involved in an advisory capacity in what we do. Is there a better person out there who's in touch with a young audience? I think not. I was joking we should be paying her to do that. I was only joking."

Swift's donation is the second largest ever gifted to the museum and is the largest given by a musician. The country-pop megastar has a long history with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. She signed her record contract there and gave one of her first public performances on the building's plaza.

In the past, she has also volunteered her time to the museum's "All for the Hall" fundraisers.

The Taylor Swift Education Center is part of a larger $75 million expansion of the Hall of Fame that will more than double the size of the museum and include a new concert theater and more space for exhibits and archives.

The planned education center will be more than 7,500 square feet spread over two stories. It will have its own exterior entrance that will lead to three classrooms and exhibit space. The expansion will allow the museum to dramatically increase its youth education programs, with plans for it to house a "musical petting zoo" and an art classroom where children can make concert posters and other art projects.

The center will also give the museum the opportunity to add new programs and workshops for teens and senior citizens.

"For Taylor to want to engage herself in the life of this place in such an appropriate way," Young continued, "every way you slice it and dice it, it's great."

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Happy Mother's Day From Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift

11 May 2012 06:53:11 EDT

Above the Buzz rounds up the best pop songs praising mom.
By Jocelyn Vena

Mother's Day is just around the bend — Sunday, to be exact. If you're reading this and that's news to you, you might want to order your mama some flowers and read on for some awesome mixtape song selections courtesy of Above the Buzz.

Pop music has had a longstanding tradition of cranking out tunes that pay homage to the most important woman in everyone's life: mommy dearest. How could you not look to mom for musical inspiration? She loves you unconditionally, pushes you to be your best, is an awesome shopping buddy and, at one point, let you make that terrible decision of rocking blond highlights back in high school when you really had no business being blonde.

Basically, she's your friend until the end. So, hit record on your boom box and collect these tunes to let mom know how much you love and appreciate her. (And, yes, I am writing this column from a random Mother's Day in the '90s when people still recorded mixtapes off boom boxes.)

In 1999, the Backstreet Boys released a sappy ballad titled "The Perfect Fan." With touches of gospel on the track, the sentiment thanking their moms for always being supportive reaches it crescendo when the fivesome declare, "I wanna thank you for what you've done/ In hopes I can give back to you/ And be the perfect son." Writing a song about your mom, boys, is certainly a good start.

Years before BSB dropped their mommy ode, Boyz II Men released "A Song for Mama" in 1997. In the deeply emotional ballad produced and written by Babyface, the guys praise their mamas for showing them the right thing to do. "You're always there for me/ Have always been around for me, even when I was bad/ You showed me right from my wrong/ Yes, you did," they sing. And, we swooned.

That same year, the Spice Girls released "Mama." Lyrically, it is a bit different from the tracks the boys released. The song is about the girls' growing relationships with their moms, who went from their biggest enemy when they were teens to being their best friends as adults. The ladies sing, "Back then, I didn't know why/ Why you were misunderstood/ So now I see through your eyes/ All that you did was love."

An equally touching ode from Christina Aguilera, "Oh Mother," delves into a more serious topics than those other tracks. Released in 2006, the song reflects on her mother's abusive relationship with her father. The song is incredibly personal, relaying some details about watching her mother get abused. But, in the end, she wants her mom to know this: "So mother, I thank you/ For all that you've done and still do/ You got me, I got you/ Together, we always pull through."

On the other side of the emotional mom rollercoaster is Taylor Swift's "The Best Day," which she dropped in 2008. The track is a mid-tempo jam about all the awesome things her mom does to make her feel better when she's low and all the things her mom taught her. "I know you were on my side even when I was wrong/ And I love you for giving me your eyes/ For staying back and watching me shine/ And I didn't know if you knew, so I'm takin' this chance to say/ That I had the best day with you today," she sings. You said it for all of us, girl!

With a new Mother's Day upon us, Justin Bieber is getting in on the action with his new track "Turn to You." Given the tradition he's following in, it's a nice sentiment from a boy who truly loves his mom. And, there's nothing more adorable than a pop star who knows where it's at.

Because we know where it's at, we have this final message: Happy Mother's Day, mom! All these songs say it all and so much more. You rock! Now, go tell your mom how you feel about her — she deserves it.

What's your favorite track showing love for mom? Share your pick below!

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Taylor Swift To Play Joni Mitchell?

20 Apr 2012 16:19:56 EDT

Country superstar is linked to the role in the film adaptation of Sheila Weller's book 'Girls Like Us.'
By Fallon Prinzivalli

It turns out voicing Audrey in "The Lorax" and playing a shallow, high school cheerleader in "Valentine's Day" were just the opening roles in Taylor Swift's budding acting career. The Grammy-winning artist is linked to the role of Joni Mitchell in the film adaptation of Sheila Weller's book "Girls Like Us," Variety reports.

The biography maps the lives of three of the most influential female musicians in America: Carole King, Carly Simon and Joni Mitchell. In an attempt to capture the life of women in the 1970s, Weller tells these artists' three unique stories. King is the daughter of a middle-class New York family, living in one of the city's outer boroughs. Simon is the product of Manhattan's intellectual elite. Mitchell's grandparents were Canadian farmers.

When MTV News spoke to Swift in March, she told us acting has always "fascinated" her. The role of Mitchell sounds like a part she would want to take on.

"I love the idea that you can tell a story in that way," the singer gushed. "I've been reading scripts for about five years. In my free time, that's all I do is read scripts."

But she isn't in a rush to choose just any role. "I just want to make decisions really carefully. I think, with movies, it's really important that you have to love something so much that you cannot think about anything else," she continued. "If you're going to become someone else, that's a huge deal. That's a huge commitment, and I would want to have the time and the ability and the love for something and the love for a character to where I could really make that commitment to it."

Swift would certainly have some of the background knowledge it takes to play Mitchell, being a musician herself. While Sony Pictures has not made Swift an official offer, other actresses have already auditioned — including Alison Pill ("Midnight in Paris") — for the role of King. Variety also reported that Katie Jacobs, executive producer of "House," is directing the script penned by John Sayles, and Lorenzo di Bonaventura is set to produce. The biopic is still waiting to be green-lit, but the tentative start of production is later this year.

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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Justin Bieber And Taylor Swift's Duet Sounds 'Beautiful,' Selena Gomez Says

20 Apr 2012 09:32:04 EDT

Bieber's girlfriend opens up about his Believe collaboration with the country singer.
By Jocelyn Vena

Wondering what the highly anticipated Justin Bieber track featuring Taylor Swift might sound like? Well, Bieber's girlfriend, Selena Gomez, has heard it and she gives it two thumbs up.

"It's beautiful," she told E! News about the collaboration for Bieber's June release, Believe. "I don't know if it's going to make it on the record, but it is beautiful."

Whether or not it makes the cut, Swift is only one of many artists — including Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine and Bieber's pals Kanye West and Drake — who have hit the studio with the Biebs. As for working together, neither Selena nor Justin have mentioned a duet for his album.

"You know, the whole album is just so different, there's so many different people collaborating," he recently explained about the album. "It's crazy. I mean I even wrote a song with Taylor Swift, so the whole album ranges differently. With my music, it doesn't only stay in a box. It's so out there. Everything is so different and that's why I'm so happy with this album." Bieber will drop Believe on June 19. Before then, fans are eagerly awaiting the release of his "Boyfriend" music video, for which he has released several teases over the last few weeks.

"The concept of this video, I mean, it's not like a steady concept," he explained to MTV News about the Colin Tilley-directed clip. "It's not like 'Justin follows this girl to this spot.' No, it's a bunch of amazing scenes: Like a fire scene, we have an ice scene. "It's kind of like bouncing back and forth," he said. "And then there's scenes of me and just a bunch of girl dancers, and just some great shots, great artistic shots, great shots of me smiling. It's fun."

Are you looking forward to hearing Bieber's collabo with Taylor Swift? Tell us in the comments.

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One Direction's Harry Styles And Taylor Swift Are 'Friends'

17 Apr 2012 13:32:44 EDT

In an interview with an Australian newspaper, Styles addresses romance rumors and Zayn Malik assures fans, 'We're not changing our name.'
By Jocelyn Vena

Are they, or aren't they? One Direction's Harry Styles is addressing rumors that he and Taylor Swift are in a budding romance.

Last week, it was rumored that Swift had told pal Justin Bieber that she was crushing on the One Direction singer after meeting him at the Kids' Choice Awards last month. From there, fans began to wonder if the twosome could be music's next great power couple. Well, it might be a little longer before things heat up between them.

Styles confirmed in an interview with an Australian newspaper that while they exchanged numbers and have been texting, nothing else is happening. "We met in America, she's very nice, yes," he told the Herald Sun. "She is very talented... She's very nice... We're friends."

Swift is one of many girls that Styles has been linked to since coming Stateside to promote the band's chart-topping album, Up All Night. Other rumored girlfriends include American singer Lily Halpern, New York-based photographer Sarah-Louise Colivet and former "Bachelorette" Jillian Harris.

It's not just the band's romantic entanglements that are making news these days. In the same interview, Zayn Malik also addressed concerns regarding a lawsuit regarding One Direction's name. The band and their management, Simon Cowell's Syco Entertainment and Sony Music, was sued by a U.S. band with the same name.

"We're not changing our name," Malik assured fans, who certainly had many suggestions for the fivesome. "We don't know what's going to happen but we're not changing our name."

Do you think Taylor Swift and Harry Styles are more than friends? Leave your comment below!

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Justin Bieber Goes Country? Taylor Swift Joins JB In Studio

12 Apr 2012 20:23:05 EDT

'You know, the whole album is just so different, there's so many different people collaborating,' Bieber says of Believe.
By James Dinh

Justin Bieber has added yet another A-list chart-topper to the collaboration roster for his new album Believe. Speaking with Capital FM earlier this week, the Biebster announced that he's hit the studio with his very own "Punk'd" victim Taylor Swift.

"You know, the whole album is just so different, there's so many different people collaborating," the 18-year-old pop star said of the upcoming release. Aside from name-dropping a few hip-hop heavyweights like Kanye West and Drake, the singer revealed that he penned a tune with Swift, admitting the cut will have a country vibe.

"It's crazy," Bieber explained. "I mean I even wrote a song with Taylor Swift, so the whole album ranges differently."

With the string of features, JB emphasized that the LP will have a mix of sounds, saying, "With my music, it doesn't only stay in a box. It's so out there. Everything is so different and that's why I'm so happy with this album."

No word on whether Swift's vocals will appear on the tune in addition to her writing credit.

Bieber's collabo with the singer/songwriter shouldn't be too much of a shock for fans. Late last year, the duo hit the stage together for Swift's L.A. gig on her Speak Now trek. Most recently, Swift was the subject of one of Bieber's "Punk'd" shenanigans when he convinced the singer she ruined a wedding.

Who else would you like to see Justin collaborate with on Believe? Tell us your suggestions below!

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Should Taylor Swift And One Direction's Harry Styles Date?

12 Apr 2012 15:51:00 EDT

Fans had very strong reactions when MTV News reported about the rumored couple.
By Katie Byrne

Are Taylor Swift and One Direction's Harry Styles a couple? They're not talking — but you certainly are.

On Wednesday, we posted some compelling evidence that Swift and Styles might be linked up (Exhibit A: This video, in which 1D rib their bandmate about Taylor during an MTV News interview), and fans certainly had their opinions on the potential pair.

Many readers chalked it up to one more dude caught in the Taylor Swift rumor mill. "I think it's time to stop the Taylor Swift likes whoever nonsense," BrianC6234 wrote in the MTV News comments section. "First of all, why does it matter? But even if you care, these rumors have all been false. Isn't she dating that guy from 'Les Miserables'? I mean Zac Efron. Wait, no, it's Tim Tebow. Get the point?"

"These rumors have always been wrong," WeeRu chimed in. "Chord Overstreet, that guy from Parachute, Zac Efron and now Harry Styles? I don't think so."

RachV2389 added: "Guy after guy. Well ... she hasn't had a song about a British boy yet!"

A lot of Taylor fans out there are hopeless romantics, just like their idol, and have their fingers crossed that the One Direction heartthrob is "The One" for Swift. "Harry is a good guy," xLara_Stylesx wrote. "If you watch all his videos you will see that he has a good personality. And Taylor deserves a boyfriend like him (:"

"I love them both," mrs.worldwide said. "It would be nice if they were together." (BTW, should we get started on the joint nickname? We're thinking Haylor or Swiftles.)

But it wasn't all roses and sunshine: Some short-and-not-so-sweet reactions to the news included "SWEET BABY JESUS NO" and "no, please no!"

"Heeeck no," Stephanie Lynn Roberts posted on MTV News' Facebook page. "Harry has class. TSwift would just break up with him to get a new hit song."

Some fans pointed out the age difference between the 18-year-old boy bander and 22-year-old country superstar. "Come on, Taylor, the kid is only 18," Ariela M. Garcia wrote, which prompted Facebook user Holly McQuithey to point out Styles' 32-year-old ex. "Harry dated Caroline Flack. There is no age limit for that boy. Let him be happy."

But one reader, MinkenGjerald, really made us laugh with their reason the couple will never work: "Well... no.. Harry is a sex bomb and Taylor is so innocent."

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Taylor Swift's Road To Rap: T-Swizzle To B.o.B's 'Both Of Us'

12 Apr 2012 14:24:28 EDT

MTV News takes a look at Swift's hip-hop history, leading up to her track with the Strange Clouds rapper.
By Jocelyn Vena

Taylor Swift — or T-Swizzle, as she's known in rap circles — has been working her way toward a legitimate appearance on a hip-hop track for some time now. After welcoming many an MC onstage during her Speak Now Tour, the singer now guests on B.o.B's Strange Clouds track "Both of Us."

The Dr. Luke-produced song blends the unlikely duo's musical genres, with jangly guitars that pay homage to Swift's country roots and synthy beats that have Bobby Ray's hip-hop flavor. Surprisingly, the duet came about at the insistence of the singer. B.o.B recently explained that "she came to Atlanta and she hit up Grand Hustle. I wasn't there. Tip was there and I eventually linked with her in Dallas and the rest is history."

This is not the first time the twosome have appeared on a song together. Last year, during Swift's tour, B.o.B took the stage to perform "Airplanes" with the star. Swift took over chorus duties from her pal (and Paramore leading lady) Hayley Williams.

But we have to go back even further than that to really dive into T-Swizzle's hip-hop history.

In a 2008 MTV News interview, the singer opened up about one day wanting to work with rappers. "I'd like to do a completely off-the-wall collaboration," she said. "I would like one of my songs to be the hook to a rap song. That would be so much fun! You know, I love Kanye West and I love T.I. — he's amazing."

The following year, at the 2009 CMT Awards, she hooked up with T-Pain to parody her good-girl image in the song "Thug Life." She showed not only her gangster side, but also her funny bone, rapping lyrics like, "You can find me making cookies at night/ You out clubbing? I just made caramel delights."

Taking some time off from her rap game for a minute, in 2011 she enlisted the likes of Nicki Minaj, Flo Rida, and, yes, T.I. to put her stamp on some of their biggest hits during the Speak Now Tour.

See why Taylor Swift is the crunkest chick in country music

Initially, it surprised Tip that the country cutie would want to have him appear onstage with her last October.

T.I. explained, "I was confused, because I know it's a phenomenal opportunity, but being T.I. — the Rubberband Man — and Taylor Swift being America's Sweetheart, I had just gotten out of prison like two days [earlier] and all of a sudden my phone rings."

Eventually, though, she was welcomed with open arms into his crew. "Taylor's extended Hustle gang. She a part of the crew," T.I. said in March. "She just ain't got her dog tags yet, but she's a part of the crew, though."

In the midst of the tour, Swift talked about asking rappers to perform with her. "I'm a huge hip-hop fan," she shared. "And it's been so amazing to have so many incredible artists come out and to get to sing the hooks on their songs that I've been blasting in my car for the last couple years."

Now, with so much practice singing other people's hooks behind her, it seems like the right time for her to get her own. On the B.o.B track, she sings, "I wish I was strong enough to lift not one, but both of us/ Someday, I will be strong enough to lift not one but both of us." The lines mirror the song's theme of battling hardships and strife.

"Both of Us" will be featured on B.o.B's May album release.

Are you ready for more T-Swizzle? Let us know in the comments!

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Taylor Swift, One Direction's Harry Styles Spark Romance Rumors

11 Apr 2012 15:29:02 EDT

Are they or aren't they? MTV News investigates!
By Jocelyn Vena

It seems that love might be in the air for Taylor Swift and One Direction singer Harry Styles. The rumor mill is spinning out of control that the country/pop superstar and the boy bander are crushing on each other.

Rumor has it that Justin Bieber, Swift's onetime Punker, knows a big-time star who has a crush on Styles, but the Biebs swears he's been "sworn to secrecy" and can't reveal who it is.

But according to Daily Mail sources, after the twosome met at the Kids' Choice Awards last month, Swift told her pal Bieber that she kind of has a crush on Styles.

"Taylor is a huge One Direction fan and was excitedly bopping along to the boys when they performed onstage. Then she was chatting to Justin and told him how hot she found Harry," the source said. "Taylor went backstage and was hanging around by the group's dressing room and said a quick 'hello' to the guys."

The source continued that "she started dramatically fanning herself afterwards making out like she was overwhelmed which got everyone laughing. She really likes Harry but made Justin promise not to go on the record about it."

Judging by the interview MTV News did with 1D last week, the way the guys teased the mop-topped Styles about Swift, we're guessing something is afoot. Both parties have yet to comment on the speculation.

Since his rise to fame, Styles has been linked to a few ladies, including New York-based photographer Sarah-Louise Colivet, 24, and 19-year-old singer Lily Halpern. For those wondering if Swift, 22, might be a few years too old for the 18-year-old Styles, his last girlfriend, British TV presenter Caroline Flack, was 32.

Harry isn't the only 1D-er being linked to American singers. Fans have been wondering if Niall Horan and Demi Lovato might become a couple after she revealed she thinks he's "so adorable." His response, per the Daily Mail, "I'd like to see her all right and she's a similar age. She seems to be a nice girl. It'd be good." He also tweeted at her after her MTV documentary, "Stay Strong," aired, calling it an "amazing story."

Would you like to see Taylor pair up with Harry? Let us know in the comments!

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