How Dakota Johnson Honored Taylor Swift on SNL

While hosting SNL for the second time, Dakota Johnson took the opportunity to heap 50 shades of praise on Taylor Swift.

During her monologue on the Jan. 27 episode, the actress made a statement about the 12-time Grammy winner while talking about her previous time hosting the NBC show in 2015, seven months before the U.S. election.

“The last time I hosted was right after the SNL 40th [anniversary]. I was actually in the audience for that special. Look at this photo. Look at this collection of people. Sarah Palin, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg. And look who’s sitting right behind me,” Dakota said, before a photo of herself standing up in the crowd in front of former President Donald Trump was screened. “It’s just crazy to be standing so close to someone who would become the most powerful person in America.”

The camera then panned to Taylor, sitting in front of the 50 Shades of Grey star among the fellow celebrity audience members.

Taylor Swift & Whole Kelce Family Cheer on Travis Kelce in Playoffs

The “Blank Space” singer, who has hung out with Dakota before, has been drawing increased attention in the press and social media in recent months. Professional milestones have played a part—in December, her ongoing Eras tour surpassed $1 billion in revenue to become the highest-grossing tour ever and earlier this month, she broke Elvis Presley‘s record for most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Chart.

Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images / Michael Tran / AFP via Getty Images

In addition, Taylor has made headlines over her blossoming relationship with Travis Kelce and following her frequent and televised appearances at the Kansas City Chiefs star tight end’s games—most recently last weekend in Buffalo, N.Y., NFL viewership and ticket and merchandise sales have increased.

On SNL, Dakota was joined by other top pop star—her Social Network costar Justin Timberlake, who served as the episode’s musical guest. Both he and Jimmy Fallon crashed the Madame Web actress’ monologue and later starred in a sketch together as Bee Gees singers Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb.

Watch Dakota’s SNL monologue below:

Taylor is currently on hiatus from her tour and is set to resume performing Feb. 7, with concerts in Tokyo. Look back at Taylor’s Eras tour looks from 2023 below: