Taylor Swift Made a Bold Declaration About Kris Kristofferson More Than a Decade Before His Death

As the music industry mourns the loss of iconic singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson, fans are remembering the friendship he had with another famous musician: Taylor Swift.

The "Me and Bobby McGee" writer and the "Fortnight" singer first met in 2009 when Kristofferson presented Swift with an award at the 43rd Annual Country Music Awards. However, they got to know each other better the next year when they both performed at a benefit concert for Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame.

“These are the best role models I could have,” Swift told the audience at the event honoring Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill and Lionel Richie, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Backstage at the show, the stars traded more compliments, according to New York Magazine.

“I just know you are going to have the most wonderful career, and most wonderful life,” Kristofferson told Swift.

“I could not ask for a better role model,” Swift replied.

“Now who’s the silver-tongued devil?” Kristofferson joked.

When asked if he thought Swift might end up the Country Music Hall of Fame someday, Kristofferson seemed to think it was a done deal.

“She’s already in the Hall of Fame!” he said.

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Related: Kris Kristofferson, Grammy Award-Winning Singer-Songwriter and Actor, Dead at 88

Later, in her dressing room, Swift gushed to her mom, Andrea, about Kristofferson's kind words.

“I felt like I was going to pass out! He said so many nice things about my songwriting...I can’t even remember everything he said; I blacked out a little bit," she said.

Kristofferson even used a photo from the event where the pair posed with their hands making a heart shape for his very first Instagram post in 2022.

Swift hasn't yet commented publicly on Kristofferson's death. The star died at 88 at his home over the weekend.

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