The cameraperson made an unexpected cut to Swift’s ex-boyfriend.
TAYLOR SWIFT MELBOURNE, American singer songwriter Taylor Swift performing during the first night of the The Eras Tour in Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Friday, February 16, 2024. Tom Hiddleston at the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals at the Barker Hanger on January 14, 2024 in Santa Monica, CA.

The 2024 People’s Choice Awards started with a bang as host Simu Liu‘s opening monologue featured a perfectly-timed cutaway to Taylor Swift‘s ex-boyfriend, Tom Hiddleston, as he mentioned the pop superstar.

During the speech, Liu introduced the movie Barbie by talking about a “blond American icon,” leading into a moment when he said, “I was a Swiftie long before I was Ken. Just wanted to be super clear about where my loyalties lay.”

As he finished the quick mention of Swift, the camera cut to Hiddleston, who sat smiling as he listened to Liu’s opening.

Swifties immediately reacted to the unexpected moment, with fans online commenting things like, “IM DYING SIMU TALKING ABOUT TAYLOR SWIFT AND THE CAMERA WENT TO TOM HIDDLESTON. IM DEADDDDDDDDDDD.”

“cutting to tom hiddleston after praising taylor swift is CRAZYY,” said another, while more fans described the moment as “iconic” and “evil.”

A different fan of Swift appreciated the actor’s reaction, writing, “The way Tom Hiddleston laughs at a Taylor Swift positive joke. That guy was always smiles when Taylor gets brought up. I wish him well. Truly.”

The camera at the People’s Choice Awards continued to show the Marvel actor many times, with one person even comparing the situation to the focus on Swift at football games, saying, “why is tom hiddleston the taylor of this award show.”

Hiddleston and Swift dated for a few months in 2016, with the couple spotted around the world. Their short romance even included a memorable moment when the Loki actor wore an “I Heart T.S.” shirt.

Now, Swift is dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, while Hiddleston is engaged to actress Zawe Ashton.