'Speak Now' - Taylor Swift sets off storm by getting political

Swift said in her comments that while she typically tries to support women running for office, Blackburn's voting record "appalls and terrifies me."

Swift's comments got 1.5 million likes on her Instagram page. But they enraged many conservatives, especially those in the country music community where Swift got her start as a teenager and went on to win 10 Grammys.

"What I used to love about Taylor Swift is she stayed away from politics," Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative non-profit student organization Turning Point, said on Fox News television on Monday.

Some sought to play down Swift's influence outside her predominantly young girl fan base.

"So @taylorswift13 has every right to be political but it won't impact election unless we allow 13 yr old girls to vote," tweeted former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who twice sought the Republican presidential nomination.

Former "Star Trek" actor George Takei was among those welcoming Swift's declaration ahead of what are expected to be polarizing elections in November.

"Guys, things have gotten so dire that even Taylor Swift had to say something," Takei tweeted.

Model Chrissy Teigen, actress Blake Lively and singer Perry were among those adding "likes" to Swift's Instagram post.

Swift is currently on a world tour to support her top-selling 2017 album "Reputation," and will perform live at the American Music Awards show in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

"Respectfully, be quiet and sing!" wrote a Twitter user named Janice @theemporersnew. "I guess you're more pop than country now anyway. You're country fans are gonna be disappointed."

Reuters