Nelly Reveals Taylor Swift Paid $50,000 for His Surprise Performance at a 2011 Concert, Plus Perks She Gave Him
A call from Taylor Swift
Nelly described his history with Swift in an interview with The Breakfast Club, saying he had known her and her family’s management for a long time. He recalled that she called from Houston while he was in St. Louis and asked him to perform with her the next day.
Swift told Nelly that she and her friends had made a routine to “Hot in Herre,” and asked him to join her for two Houston shows. Nelly said Swift explained that she had a limited budget, but offered to send her plane and arrange his room.
The payment and travel
Nelly said Swift sent a G5 private plane to bring him and his children to Houston. He recalled performing at a baseball stadium where Swift was playing three or four nights, with 56,000 people in attendance.
After the performance, Swift’s manager, Robert Allen, handed Nelly a McDonald’s bag containing $50,000 in cash. Nelly said the money was not the main point for him, and that Swift told him the jet was available whenever he was ready.
A suite and later shows
Swift also arranged a presidential suite at what Nelly thought was the Four Seasons near the stadium, with the whole top floor. He said he and his family did not use the room, instead heading back to the airport after the show.
Nelly and Swift performed “Just a Dream” at the 2011 show, “Hey Porsche” in 2013, and “Hot in Herre” at the 2015 concert in St. Louis.
Key points
- Nelly says Swift paid him $50,000 for a 2011 Houston appearance.
- Swift arranged a G5 flight and a presidential suite for Nelly and his family.
- Nelly said he would have performed for free.
- The pair also performed together in 2013 and 2015.