Lorne Michaels Reveals Taylor Swift's Surprising Reaction toSNLSpoofing Her Girl Squad in 2015 After She Asked Him Not to

Mar. 15, 2025

Lorne Michaels (left) and Taylor Swift.Photo:Taylor Hill/WireImage; Neilson Barnard/Getty

Taylor Hill/WireImage; Neilson Barnard/Getty

Taylor Swiftdefined squad goals in 2015 — and nowLorne Michaelsis giving insight into a hilarious sketch that made it onto his iconic show.

That year, Swift, 35, released her headline-makingmusic video for the “Bad Blood"remix withKendrick Lamar, which saw her assemble the ultimate A-list girl squad for a fiery music video.

The video — andthe girl squad momentit birthed — inspired many imitations, including two sketches onSaturday Night Liveseason 41 in the months after the video’s premiere.

Taylor Swift’s ‘Bad Blood’ music video.Taylor Swift/Youtube

Taylor Swift/Youtube

A few months later,Tina FeyandAmy Poehlerco-hosted the show and went for a full-on recreation of the music video, which sawPoehler, Fey, Amy Schumer and Aidy Bryant take their own spin of the girl squad, along with cameos fromGayle KingandRobert Downey Sr.

But Michaels reveals Swift initially had her hesitations about the spoofs. When she was contacted about making a cameo in one of the sketches, she reportedly called Michaels directly, according to a newVultureprofile.

During their call, Swift asked Michaels, 80, to cut the sketch from the show entirely, to which he replied, “Taylor, I do not negotiate with terrorists,” and then hung up.

Tina Fey, Amy Poehler spoof Taylor Swift’s ‘Bad Blood’.NBC

NBC

After the sketch aired on the show, Swift sent Michaels flowers, per the outlet, along with a note that said, “I hope there’s no bad blood.”

Swift’s original music video, released in May 2015, saw her bring together famous women from all across the industry. Everyone from models —Cindy Crawford,Gigi Hadid,Karlie KlossandLily Aldridge— to singers likeHailee Steinfeld,Ellie GouldingandHayley Williamsand stars includingZendaya,Jessica Alba,Ellen PompeoandMariska Hargitaywere part of the fun. Swift’s longtime BFFSelena Gomezalso starred.

Over the years, Swifthas appeared onSNLmany times. Shefirst appeared on the show as a musical guest in 2009 and returned later that year to host. She has since returned multiple times, with the most recent cameo happening on Oct. 14, 2023 as she popped into introduce musical guest and friend and collaborator, Ice Spice.

Musical guest Taylor Swift and host Phoebe Waller Bridge for ‘Saturday Night Live’ in October 2019.

The performance was a way for him to handle the “break up” with his character from the film after they “went too deep,” and he said there was “really only one thing that can help” when processing a breakup”: Swift’s music.

“Because I was just Ken, and now I’m just Ryan,” he sang to the tune of “All Too Well,” and when Blunt joined him onstage, she got in on Swift’s song too and reflected on her role inOppenheimer.

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Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary Special airs Sunday, Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

source: people.com