Kris Kristofferson had a special friendship with Taylor Swift.
The country star, who died Saturday at age 88, became pals with Swift, 34, in the early years of her career before she became a mainstream pop star.
In 2010, both musicians were at the annual All for the Hall concert benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. Swift, then 20 years old, was onstage at the event that honored Kristofferson, as well as Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill and Lionel Richie.
“These are the best role models I could have,” Swift told the 2,000-person crowd, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The pair also crossed paths at the 2009 Country Music Association Awards.
Kristofferson presented Swift with the award for Female Vocalist of the Year. The “Style” singer hugged Kristofferson as she accepted the award.
Two and a half years before his death, Kristofferson shared his very first Instagram post, which was fittingly about his friendship with Swift.
The post from Valentine’s Day 2022 featured a photo of the duo each using their hands to make a heart sign at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum event in 2010.
“No better way to kick off Kris’ official @instagram account than with this picture of him and @taylorswift at the @officialcmhof ‘All For The Hall’ concert benefit in 2010! #HappyValentinesDay,” the caption read.
Swift has yet to publicly react to the news of Kristofferson’s death.
The beloved “For the Good Times” singer died over the weekend surrounded by his family. No cause of death has been given.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 28 at home,” his family, including his wife, Lisa, and his eight children, said in a statement to Variety.
“We’re all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all,” the statement added.
Kristofferson announced his retirement in 2021. A statement issued by his management at the time revealed the performer had slowly stepped back from the spotlight.
Some celebrities have shared tributes to Kristofferson following his death, including his “A Star Is Born” co-star Barbra Streisand.
Streisand, 82, shared a photo of the pair’s 1976 album cover from the Oscar-winning film, as well as a more recent photo of the duo together onstage.
“The first time I saw Kris performing at the Troubadour club in L.A. I knew he was something special,” she wrote on Instagram, adding that Kristofferson was “the perfect choice” to be the leading man in the movie.
She also recalled their reunion at her concert in 2019 at London’s Hyde Park, where they sang “Lost Inside of You” from “A Star Is Born.”
“He was as charming as ever, and the audience showered him with applause,” Streisand wrote. “It was a joy seeing him receive the recognition and love he so richly deserved.”
