Golden Globes host Jo Koy found himself at the center of controversy after his encounter with pop star Taylor Swift at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards. The comedian made a joke about the NFL's interest in Swift, following her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce. Koy quipped, "The big difference between the Golden Globes and the NFL is that at the Golden Globes, we have fewer camera shots of Taylor Swift." The broadcast cut to Swift, who was sitting at a table and gave Koy a death stare while sipping her drink, setting the internet ablaze.

Fans online quickly reacted to the exchange, with one commenting, "Congrats you pissed off the most intense fandom. Enjoy your snakes." Another fan criticized Koy's joke, stating, "Unnecessary rude joke about TS. JUST not nice! Being a host doesn't mean insulting people. It's not a roast. There are classy ways to go about things." The viral moment led to Swift's intense glare being compared to a deadly weapon, with one fan saying, "That Taylor Swift death glare was the nail in the coffin," implying that Koy's career was ruined.

Swift attended the Golden Globes without Kelce, who was playing against the L.A. Chargers. She was nominated for her concert documentary "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour," but lost to the box office hit "Barbie." Swift has previously discussed the public reaction to the NFL's coverage of her at Kelce's games, stating, "I'm just there to support Travis. I have no awareness of if I'm being shown too much and pissing off a few dads, Brads, and Chads." Koy later clarified his joke, stating, "Aww, man, it was cute. I was just saying it was cute," referring to the NFL's frequent camera shots of Swift at Kelce's games.

In a separate incident, actress Emma Stone jokingly called Swift "an a-hole" while speaking with the press following her win at the Golden Globes. Stone, who won Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, revealed that she has known Swift for almost 20 years and was happy to see her at the awards show. Swift had given Stone a standing ovation during her acceptance speech. Stone's win came during a lackluster ceremony, which was further criticized due to host Jo Koy's underwhelming performance. Koy, who was a last-minute addition to the show, received backlash for his jokes, including the one about Swift.

Despite the controversy surrounding Koy's joke and Swift's reaction, not all fans were on Swift's side. Some criticized her sensitivity to the spotlight and her relationship with Kelce, while others defended Koy's right to make jokes as a host. The incident highlighted the intense scrutiny and passionate reactions that come with being a public figure in the entertainment industry.