Nelly reveals Taylor Swift paid staggering $50,000 amount for 3 minute surprise performance, bizarre way she gave cash
A call from Taylor Swift
Nelly said Swift contacted him unexpectedly in 2011 and asked him to join her onstage in Houston, Texas. She told him she and her friends had made a routine to “Hot in Herre” the night before and wanted to fly him in from St. Louis.
Swift said she did not really have a budget then and did not want to disrespect Nelly, according to his account. She offered $50,000, along with transportation on her private plane and a presidential suite at the Four Seasons.
Cash in a McDonald’s bag
Nelly said he asked for the payment to be placed in a McDonald’s bag. He recalled that Swift’s manager, Robert Allen, tossed him a bag containing $50,000 in cash.
The rapper said he would not have performed for free, though money was not an issue. He added that he never saw the hotel room because he went from the show directly to the airport.
More performances together
Nelly performed “Just a Dream” with Swift during the 2011 show, part of her Speak Now tour. He later joined her on the Red tour in 2013 for “Hey Porsche,” then performed “Hot in Herre” during a 1989 tour stop in 2015.
Swift has also appeared at some of Nelly’s shows and performed “Dilemma” with him. Nelly said Wednesday that he considers himself a Swiftie; he and his wife, Ashanti, attended Swift’s July wedding to Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Key points
- Nelly said Swift paid him $50,000 for a three-minute Houston performance in 2011.
- He recalled receiving the cash in a McDonald’s bag after making the request.
- Swift offered a private-plane ride and a presidential suite at the Four Seasons.
- Nelly and Swift performed together on multiple tours, and he attended her wedding with Ashanti.