Taylor Swift fights back tears on anniversary of DJ grope verdict

Taylor Swift made a powerful statement about sexual assault at her concert in Tampa on Tuesday, which marked the one-year anniversary of her victorious trial verdict against a DJ who groped her.

“I was not playing a sold-out stadium in Tampa. I was in a courtroom in Denver, Colorado. Honestly, I was there for a sexual assault case and this day a year ago was the day the jury sided in my favor and said they believed me,” Swift said while playing a slow tune on the piano.

Swift famously won $1 against Denver DJ David Mueller, who a jury decided assaulted the “I Knew You Were Trouble” singer by grabbing her backside as his photo with the star was being taken. Forever grateful for the verdict, which was decided in fewer than five hours, Swift spoke about those who haven’t had the same experience as she has.

“I guess I just think about all the people that weren’t believed and the people who haven’t been believed or the people who are afraid to speak up because they think they won’t be believed, and I just wanted to say I’m sorry to anyone whoever wasn’t believed,” she continued, holding back tears.

“I don’t know what turn my life would’ve taken if people didn’t believe me when I said that something had happened to me,” the “Delicate” singer said, “so I guess I just wanted to say that we have so so so much further to go, and I’m so grateful to you guys for being there for me during what was a really really horrible part of my life.”

Upon hearing the jury’s verdict, Swift thanked her attorneys “for fighting for me and anyone who feels silenced by a sexual assault.”