Ed Sheeran explained Taylor Swift's infamous f-bomb at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards on Aug. 25, saying that the Red singer was not cursing out her ex-boyfriend, but rather was talking about Miley Cyrus.

Swift appeared to be mouthing the words "Shut the f**k up" as One Direction band member and Swift's former beau, Harry Styles, started speaking on stage while presenting the award for Best Pop Video. She said the words to her best friend sitting beside her, Selena Gomez, somewhere between where Zayn Malik ended his bit with, "The best fans are in New York," and where Styles took over with, "We were looking to win three VMAs last year."

Taylor & Harry Dinner Date Revealed After MTV VMAs, Details

Sheeran, who is currently touring with Swift, explained at a recent press conference that the curse was not aimed at Styles, but rather Cyrus. Just moments before the camera turned to Swift, Gomez told her she thinks Cyrus is going to win the award for Best Pop Video. In response, Swift told Gomez "Shut the f**k up," meaning that she does not believe her. In the end, Gomez won the respective award.

Sheeran added that Swift came up to him after realizing her words may be taken out of context and said, "I think I messed up."

"She rung me straight afterwards and said 'I think I messed up.' Selena had said to her 'I think Miley's going to win' and that's what that was, so... That's what that was."

Though the incident was not a direct hit at her ex-boyfriend, Swift dissed Styles later in the evening. She took home the award for Best Female Video for I Knew You Were Trouble and while accepting the award she called out her former beau, who was the inspiration behind the song.

"I feel really lucky," Swift said to the audience, before adding, "I also want to thank the person who inspired this song who knows exactly who he is because now I got one of these. Thank you so much."

Watch Sheeran explain Swift's F-bomb in the video below and also watch the incident play out at the 2013 VMAs.

Tags
Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Vmas, Miley Cyrus, Ed sheeran, One Direction