Nikki Glaser Admits She Was ‘Clowning’ for a Taylor Swift Announcement at the 2025 AMAs

Nikki Glaser was one of countless Swifties who was a little let down after the 2025 American Music Awards ended with no word from Taylor Swift, despite a trail of seeming clues leading up to the show that fans had thought meant the pop superstar be making an appearance or announcing something major on Monday night (May 26).

But in the hours before the ceremony ended in Las Vegas — back when Swiftie hopes were still high — the comedian gushed in a red carpet interview with Billboard that she was indeed “clowning” over the possibility of the pop superstar showing up to unveil either a brand new album or Reputation (Taylor’s Version). “I did see a list on Instagram tonight of all the Easter eggs that say that she’s going to be here,” Glaser said, noting that she was trying not to think too much about it, lest she “freak out.”

“I’m usually someone that doesn’t clown, and I’m like, ‘Guys, don’t get your hopes up,’” she continued while speaking to QTCinderalla and Billboard’s Tetris Kelly. “But I think I’m clowning.”

Ultimately, Swift didn’t even attend the awards, much less share news about a new project. The no-show came weeks after fans first noticed that the 14-time Grammy winner’s online store had changed to display a menu reading, “Apparel, Music, Accessories, Sale,” spelling out “AMAs” with each word’s first letter. Swifties — Glaser included — also discovered that several items on the website were on sale for 26% off their original price, matching the May 26 date of the ceremony.

“It’s too much of a coincidence with all the 26s lining up,” Glaser gushed to Billboard. “What else could it be? There’s gotta be something, and if there’s not … I have a feeling she’s holding onto [Reputation (Taylor’s Version)] for a long time. I think that girl’s got new music for us — that’s my prediction.”

But despite her excitement, the TV personality noted that she would be happy even if Swift didn’t make any moves that night. “Even if she doesn’t show up, we love it,” added Glaser, who later presented new artist of the year to Gracie Abrams. “Thank you for the puzzle.”

Though Monday’s goose chase ended up leading to a dead end, Swift is famous for teasing things months in advance and leaving Easter eggs for her fans to decode. The practice dates back to the very beginning of her career, when she used to hide secret messages in her CD lyric booklets by not-so-randomly capitalizing letters. In the 20 years since, Swifties have gotten used to scanning everything from her outfits to her Instagram captions for subtle clues about her next steps.

Glaser has long been a fan of the “Fortnight” singer, revealing in December that she’d spent nearly $100,000 to see Swift on 22 Eras Tour shows in 2023 and 2024. “She has no idea who I am, but I’m just the biggest fan,” the comedian said in July of being “addicted” to the concerts on Jimmy Kimmel Live. “I want to just see it as much as possible, it’s the thing that makes me happiest in the world.”

In February, however, the Someday You’ll Die stand-up explained why she would never approach her idol in person. “Taylor, she’s just — everyone wants a piece,” she said on Armchair Expert With Dax Shepard of bumping into the pop star at award shows. “I will never be the one to be like, ‘Excuse me!’ There’s no way that she’s dying for that on a night like this where everyone’s doing it. And of course, she would be so nice. I know exactly how it would go down, but I don’t wanna take someone’s energy away that I require their energy to be put into making great music.”

The American Music Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard parent company Penske Media.