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

LOS ANGELES - Taylor Swift's decision to break her silence on politics triggered a storm on Monday, with fans and commentators divided over whether one of pop music's biggest stars should have spoken out.

Swift, 28, has notably stayed out of the US political fray in contrast to her more vocal peers, like Democratic supporters Katy Perry and Beyonce, and Republican backer Kid Rock.

But on Sunday Swift told her 112 million Instagram followers that she was backing -- and would vote for -- two Democrats running in Tennessee in the US congressional midterm elections on Nov. 6.

"In the past I've been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now," Swift wrote.

The "Speak Now" singer said she was a supporter of gay rights and women's rights, and against racism.

"I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love," Swift wrote, saying she would vote for Democrats Phil Bredesen for the US Senate and Jim Cooper for the House of Representatives.

Bredesen, a former Tennessee governor, is facing Republican Representative Marsha Blackburn in what has become an extremely close race for the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Bob Corker.