Naomi Judd Steps Up to Defend Taylor Swift

Country legend pens letter responding to Grammy winner's detractors, calls Swift "a sorely needed role model"

Forget the haters: Taylor Swift is awesome.

But don't take our word for it (or the word of any girl aged 8-18). Take Naomi Judd's.

In the wake of some mild haterade directed at at Swift's Grammy night performance, Judd has come to the young singer's defense, penning a letter to the editor of the Tennessean, lambasting the cynics and praising Swift for not only having "single-handedly introduced country music to a much-welcomed younger demographic" but for serving as a "sorely needed role model."

"Remember the puzzles, 'What's wrong with this picture?' " writes Judd. "You search for faults, ignoring the overall picture."

Swift, Judd continues, "not only sings well enough to strike a chord with a huge audience...she writes, dances, acts, and is a dazzling performer. Taylor is the best-dressed young female artist today, in league with Hollywood's most glamorous stars."

Can't say we disagree.

"When I met her, I was impressed by her sincere transparent niceness. Taylor's a lovely young lady...Smarts, manners, and class...If there's an award for being the best role model for her generation, I'd like to be the one to give it to Taylor Swift."

It's safe to say Judd's a fan, then. But as for the heart of the matter...

"Having sung many times at the Grammys, I can tell you that the stress and anxiety of performing in front of the world's top artists in every genre of music is tortuous for even the most seasoned singer."

So there you have it. Now lay off.