Tom Hiddleston Laughs as Camera Pans to Him During Simu Liu's Taylor Swift Joke at 2024 People's Choice Awards

Hiddleston, who is nominated as the male TV star of the year for his role in 'Loki', dated Swift briefly in 2016

Tom Hiddleston was caught on camera during an unexpected moment at the 2024 People’s Choice Awards.

During the opening monlogue at the awards show, host Simu Liu discussed how Taylor Swift has dominated pop culture the past year, thanks to her Eras Tour and its movie, as well as her romance with NFL star Travis Kelce.

"Finally, for the most iconic pop culture moment of the year, who could forget that one little movie about a blonde American icon that had the entire country dressing up, dancing the night away, and making huge waves at the box office. I'm talking of course about Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour movie," he said, tricking the audience into thinking he was referencing his own movie, Barbie.

Related: Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston's Relationship: A Look Back

He continued: "Oh, I'm sorry did you think I was gonna say the other — no, no. Look, I was a Swiftie long before i was Ken. Okay? Just wanted to be super clear where my loyalties lay. I'm a 1989 baby so Taylor and I, we're bonding."

While the Shang-Chi star, 34, brought up 1989 — a nod to Swift's fifth studio album — the camera panned to Hiddleston, 43, who dated the singer briefly during 2016 and appeared to laugh during that moment.

After her split from Calvin Harris, the "I Can See You" artist, 34, sparked a romance with the Thor: Ragnarok actor after meeting at the 2016 Met Gala. Their high-profile relationship included trips to Swift's homes in Rhode Island and Nashville, as well as Hiddleston's native England. After three months of dating, the duo broke up in September 2016.

Related: Taylor Swift, Barbie and Grey's Anatomy Score at 2024 People's Choice Awards: See the Full List of Winners

Even after their breakup, months later, the Loki star praised his former girlfriend. "Of course it was real," Hiddleston told GQ in 2017. "Taylor is an amazing woman. She's generous and kind and lovely, and we had the best time."

Hiddleston is up for male TV star of the year at Sunday night's People's Choice Awards for his titular role in Loki. The show won for best sci-fi/fantasy show. When the star accepted the award, he was sure to thank his fiancée, Zawe Ashton.

"Zawe, none of this makes sense without you," said Hiddleston. "Thank you for your love and support every step of the way."

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The 2024 People’s Choice Awards, hosted by Simu Liu, are airing live on NBC, Peacock and E! from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.

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