It was 2013, and the internet wasn’t quite the hyper-reactive beast it is today, but it was getting there. Taylor Swift walked onto the stage at the People’s Choice Awards to accept her trophy for Favorite Country Artist. She was wearing an incredible white Ralph Lauren gown. She looked like a star. But then things got weird.
Olivia Munn, who was presenting the award alongside Johnny Galecki, wouldn’t let go of the trophy.
Seriously. She just held onto it.
The two women were essentially playing tug-of-war with a crystal statuette in front of millions of people. For a second, the room went cold. Was this a real fight? Was Olivia actually trying to pull a Kanye West?
The "Kanye Stunt" and the Moment the Internet Froze
People still bring this up when they talk about awkward award show moments. Basically, as Taylor reached for the award, Olivia pulled it back. She leaned into the mic and told Taylor that if she wanted to thank her first, it would "make the most sense."
Taylor, being Taylor, played along. She deadpanned, "This always happens."
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It was a sharp, self-deprecating reference to the 2009 VMAs. You know the one—where Kanye West interrupted her big win to talk about Beyoncé. The crowd at the PCAs didn't quite know how to react. Some people laughed, but a lot of people just looked confused. Olivia doubled down, telling Taylor, "And it will always happen, Taylor. This is your lot in life."
Ouch. Even if it was a joke, it felt a little pointed.
Was it scripted or just a bad joke?
Olivia Munn later clarified that the whole bit was planned. She told E! Online that they had talked about it beforehand and it was supposed to be a funny callback to the Kanye drama. Honestly, comedy is subjective. For some, it was a clever parody of Taylor’s "perpetual victim" narrative at the time. For others, it was just mean-spirited.
The reality is that Taylor Swift is a master of the "quiet win." She didn't let the moment rattle her. She stood her ground, got her award, and moved on.
Lip Sync Battles and "Bad Blood"
Fast forward a few years to 2016. Any "bad blood"—pun intended—seemed to be long gone. Olivia Munn appeared on the show Lip Sync Battle to go head-to-head with Kevin Hart. Her weapon of choice? Taylor Swift’s "Bad Blood."
Olivia didn't just half-heartedly mouth the words. She went full-scale production. She had:
- Dominatrix-style leather outfits.
- Weapon props.
- A literal "squad" that included a WWE wrestler (Big Show) and actual models like Chanel Iman.
She even brought out one of Taylor’s real-life best friends, Martha Hunt. It was a massive tribute. You don't put that much effort into a performance for someone you actually have beef with. It was the ultimate "we’re good" signal to the Swifties.
Why Do People Keep Comparing Them?
It's kind of strange, right? Olivia Munn is an actress known for The Newsroom and X-Men. Taylor Swift is... well, she’s the biggest music star on the planet. But fans on platforms like Reddit and TikTok often draw parallels between them.
Some of it is just the shared circle. Both women have navigated high-profile relationships in the public eye. Both have been the targets of intense internet scrutiny—Olivia for her relationship with John Mulaney and Taylor for, well, almost everything she does.
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There’s also a weirdly persistent "parallel universe" theory among fans. It’s the idea that in another life, Olivia Munn—with her sharp wit and "cool girl" energy from the G4 days—could have been a pop star on the same level of cultural impact as Taylor. It’s a bit of a stretch, but it shows how much both women occupy the same "A-list" headspace in our brains.
The 2026 Context: Where Are They Now?
In 2026, the landscape has shifted. Olivia Munn has become a vocal advocate for health awareness following her breast cancer journey, showing a level of vulnerability that has deeply resonated with her fans. Taylor Swift, meanwhile, has transcended "pop star" status to become a global economic force.
They aren't exactly "besties" who get spotted at the Electric Lady Studios together every Tuesday. They move in different worlds. Olivia is focused on family and her acting career, while Taylor is constantly re-inventing the music industry.
However, the respect seems mutual. There hasn't been a single "shady" comment from either side in over a decade. In the world of celebrity feuds, silence is usually a sign of peace.
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Key Takeaways for the Casual Fan
If you're trying to figure out if there's any lingering drama, here’s the bottom line:
- The PCA moment was a bit. It might have been awkward, but it wasn't a real attack.
- The "Bad Blood" performance was the olive branch. Olivia's Lip Sync Battle was a clear nod of respect to Taylor's artistry.
- They are both survivors. Both women have dealt with massive public backlash and come out the other side more successful than ever.
Instead of looking for a feud that isn't there, it's more interesting to look at how both women have mastered the art of the "rebrand." Taylor went from country darling to pop titan. Olivia went from "geek culture" icon to a respected dramatic actress and advocate.
If you want to stay updated on their current projects, the best move is to follow their official channels. Olivia has been sharing a lot of meaningful content about her health journey lately, which is worth a follow if you value authenticity. For Taylor, just look at the charts—she’s probably breaking another record as you read this.
Pay attention to how they handle the media. Both have moved away from the "reactive" style of the early 2010s and toward a more controlled, purposeful public image. That's the real lesson here: how to own your narrative when everyone else is trying to write it for you.