Nelly Says Swift Paid Him $50,000 for Surprise Show

Nelly said Swift called him unexpectedly in 2011 while she was on her Speak Now tour and asked him to travel to Houston for a performance. She told him she and her friends had made a dance routine to his song “Hot in Herre” and wanted him to join her onstage.

Swift offered to arrange a private flight and hotel stay, along with a $50,000 fee. Nelly recalled asking her to put the money in a McDonald’s bag. At the show, Swift’s manager handed him the bag containing the cash.

The rapper shared the story during an October 29 appearance on The Breakfast Club. He said he would have performed without payment, but accepted the offer. He also said he did not use the hotel room, leaving for the airport after the show.

Nelly performed “Just a Dream” with Swift during the Houston stop. They later shared the stage again on her Red tour in 2013 and her 1989 tour in 2015. He said Swift has also attended some of his shows and performed “Dilemma” with him.

Nelly described himself as a Swift fan and said the singer had been in the music business for a long time. He and his wife, Ashanti, were among the guests at Swift’s wedding to Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden in July.