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Betty is coming: Taylor Swift hailed as 'queen' as Swifties await her 2020 ACM awards performance

Taylor Swift is making her long-awaited return to the world of country music and will be making an appearance on the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards

Taylor Swift is making her long-awaited return to the world of country music. The 30-year-old singer, who dropped her chart-topping eighth studio album 'Folklore' in July, will be performing at the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards. The news was revealed by Swift herself, first in an Instagram story and then on Twitter, where she wrote, "Bout to show up at your party @acmawards." Later, confirming her performance of the song 'Betty', Swift sent out a tweet saying, "Guys I don’t know anything but I know I miss youuuuu. So watch the @ACMawards for my performance of 'Betty'."

To provide some background, this appearance of Swift on the 55th ACM Awards will be her first performance on any country awards show in seven years. Swift is all set to perform from the iconic Grand Ole Opry House, the venue being used as home base for the 55th ACM Awards. The last time Swift was seen on a country awards event was back in 2013 during the ACM Awards where she performed the track 'Highway Don’t Care' alongside country superstars Tim McGraw and Keith Urban.

Back then, before the release of her 2014 album '1989', Swift's sound leaned more towards country and was aggressively promoted on the radio as such. The same year, in 2013, Swift also performed at the Country Music Association Awards and sang a stripped-down version of her song 'Red' with Vince Gill and Alison Krauss. Ever since then, after the release of '1989' and all subsequent albums, her sound has been more mainstream, pop-oriented with influences from across genres.

Swift has, since 2013, only appeared as presenter or winner on country music awards. She first returned to the ACMs back in 2015 on winning the Milestone Award. Later, in 2016, she appeared on the ACM awards to present the award for the Entertainer of the Year.

#BettyIsComing trends

'Betty', the fourteenth track from 'Folklore', reminds fans of the sound of her 2008 song 'Love Story' from the album 'Fearless'. No wonder then that Swift picked 'Betty' as the song to perform at the ACMs. 'Betty' is also the only Swift song, since her singles on 'Red', that has received an official release to the country format. The song's explicit lyrics were also switched up for the country radio, from "Would you tell me to go f**k myself" to "Would you tell me to go straight to hell".

As soon as Swift's fans got wind of her performing at the ACMs, Twitter was flooded with reactions. One fan, excited about the upcoming show, wrote, "I'm so excited for #Betty she's coming! #BettyIsComing! my fangirl heart is not ready!" while another fan, surprised by the sudden announcement, tweeted, "I started my first day of sophomore year online but all I can think about is that Betty is tomorrow!!!" Remembering Taylor's country days, a fan of hers wrote, "I’ve loved @Taylorswift13 since her country days and truly can’t believe it’s all about to come full circle tomorrow at the #ACMawards @taylornation13 #BettyIsComing," while a different fan, planning ahead for the performance, said, "In honor of country Taylor's return... are we thinking curls, thirteen on hand and LYRICS on her arms for BETTY!? No one touch me!"

Talking about the upcoming 'Betty' performance, a Swiftie said, "Ready to get cozy on the couch for the #ACMawards tomorrow in my new pullover." Another fan, barely able to contain her excitement, wrote, "#BettyIsComing TOMORROW AT THE #ACMawards AND IM SO EXCITED!! It’s gonna be amazing." While some just gushed over their 'queen'.

The 55th ACM Awards will be broadcast on CBS Wednesday, September 16, at 8 pm ET/PT and 7 CT. Other performers include Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, Luke Bryan, Kelsea Ballerini and host Keith Urban.