You remember the scream. It wasn’t just the usual high-pitched "Swiftie" roar that echoes through stadiums every night of the Eras Tour. It was different. It was the sound of 70,000 people in Kansas City collectively losing their minds because a man in a black T-shirt just did a roundoff backflip on stage.
That man was Taylor Lautner.
Seeing Taylor Lautner at Taylor swift concert wasn't just a "cameo." It was a cultural reset for a fandom that has spent over a decade dissecting the lyrics to "Back to December." We’ve seen a lot of exes come and go in the Taylor Swift cinematic universe, but the July 7, 2023, show at Arrowhead Stadium felt like a fever dream that actually came true.
It's 2026 now, and honestly? People are still talking about it. Why? Because it’s the only time we’ve seen a "Taylor squared" reunion that didn't end in a 10-minute bridge about heartbreak.
What Really Happened in Kansas City?
The night was already massive because it was the release day for Speak Now (Taylor’s Version). If you weren't there, or if you've only seen the grainy TikToks, here is the vibe: Swift finishes "Enchanted," the stage goes dark, and suddenly a heist movie starts playing on the big screens.
It’s the world premiere of the "I Can See You" music video.
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When the lights came up, Swift didn't just move on to the next era. She brought out Joey King. She brought out Presley Cash. And then, out comes Lautner. He didn't just walk; he literally flipped his way down the 60-yard runway.
He later admitted on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that he basically "blacked out" from nerves. He saw that long walkway and figured a backflip was the only way to bridge the distance without it being awkward. It wasn't awkward. It was legendary.
The Speech Heard 'Round the World
Swift’s introduction of him was surprisingly emotional. She called him a "very positive force" in her life when she was originally making Speak Now. That’s a big deal. Usually, the "ex" narrative is about surviving the relationship. With Lautner, it was about honoring it.
Then Lautner took the mic. He looked her in the eye and told her—and the entire stadium—how much he respected her. Not just as a songwriter, but as a human.
"You are gracious, humble, kind, and I am honored to know you," Lautner said.
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The crowd didn't just cheer; they cried. It’s rare to see that kind of genuine, platonic love between two people who used to date, especially under the microscopic lens of global fame.
The Tale of Three Taylors
One of the funniest parts of this whole saga is the "Three Taylors" dynamic. You’ve got Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner, and his wife, Taylor "Tay" Dome Lautner.
Instead of some weird, jealous tabloid drama, they gave us the Spider-Man meme.
After the show, they posted a photo of all three of them in a circle, pointing at each other. It basically broke the internet. Tay Dome is a self-proclaimed "OG Swiftie." She’s been vocal about how much she loves Swift’s music, even sharing throwback photos of her meeting Taylor back in 2010.
Basically, the Lautners are the presidents of the Taylor Swift fan club. They were even spotted again at the London Wembley shows in August 2024, rocking friendship bracelets and singing along to "You Belong With Me" in the VIP tent.
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Why the Lautner Era Hits Different
Most people get it wrong when they think Swifties just hate all the exes. They don't. They just have very high standards for how Taylor should be treated.
Lautner is the "Best Ex" for a few specific reasons:
- The Apology: "Back to December" is famously the only song where Taylor is the one saying "I'm sorry." It frames the relationship as something sweet that just didn't work out because of timing.
- The Stunts: He did all his own stunts in the "I Can See You" video. Swift made a point to mention that. He put in the work for her "reclamation" project.
- The Consistency: He’s never bad-mouthed her. In a world of "leaked" stories and shady social media likes, Lautner has remained a vault of class.
Honestly, seeing Taylor Lautner at Taylor swift concert felt like a closing chapter. It turned a sad song from 2010 into a happy memory in 2023. It showed that you can move on, get married, and still show up for the people who mattered to you when you were nineteen.
Lessons from the "Back to December" Reunion
If there’s anything we can learn from the "Taylor Squared" saga, it’s that maturity looks good on everyone. It’s easy to be petty. It’s much harder to do a backflip on a stage in front of 75,000 people to support your ex-girlfriend’s career.
If you’re looking to channel that same energy in your own life, here are a few takeaways:
- Forgiveness is a Choice: Lautner mentioned on the Call Her Daddy podcast that respecting someone's "soul" allows you to continue that love in a different way.
- Support the Art: You don't have to be "together" to acknowledge someone is a genius. Lautner's public praise of Taylor's filmmaking and songwriting is a masterclass in being a "girls' girl" (even as a guy).
- New Partners Can Be Allies: Tay Dome is the MVP here. Her friendship with her husband’s ex proves that "threats" are usually just insecurities we haven't dealt with yet.
The next time you’re scrolling through Eras Tour clips, look for the guy flipping on the stage. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the "one that got away" actually stays—just as a really great friend.
What to do next:
Go watch the "I Can See You" music video again. Look for the scene where Lautner breaks the "Speak Now" version of Taylor out of the vault. It's a perfect metaphor for how he's helped her protect her legacy. If you're feeling nostalgic, check out his podcast The Squeeze, where he and Tay Dome talk more about the "rekindling" of this friendship.