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Taylor Swift made an unexpected cameo on Saturday Night Live as actress Dakota Johnson joked about relying on the singer for guidance after recent relationship splits.
Hosting the US sketch show for the third time, Johnson used her opening monologue to reflect on her past romances with musician Role Model and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.
Reflecting on the period since her last appearance on the show, the actress quipped that she had been through “two very public, very lame breakups with two very awesome musicians”.
“Some people leave concerts with merch; I leave concerts with a two-and-a-half-year relationship,” she said, before praising her “supportive” friends.
Swift, who stars alongside Johnson in the music video for her latest track “Patient Zero”, then joined her on stage to enthusiastic applause from the audience.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my literal therapist,” Johnson said as she introduced the singer.
Swift disputed the description, humorously replying: “I’m not your therapist, actually. You just show up once a week at my house with an empty bottle of wine and ask if I want some.”
The pop star added that Johnson would “flop” on her sofa and overshare, while she occasionally offered: “Damn, that’s crazy”.
Swift continued: “Then I go: ‘Well, you know, it’s getting late, I should really go to bed’. And then you say…”
Johnson interrupted: “Sleepover, yay!”
“Then I give you a Pedialyte and my security drives you home,” Swift joked.
Swift returned at the end of the broadcast to present Johnson with a birthday cake.
The “Patient Zero” video also features actor Colin Farrell as Johnson’s husband, with Swift portraying his deceased former wife.
In the storyline, Swift’s ghost follows Johnson to warn her that Farrell’s character intends to kill her, just as he did Swift’s character.
Shot by Oscar-winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, known as Chivo, the video debuted at the MTV Video Music Awards. Swift later posted on Instagram: “The Patient Zero video is finally out in the world!
She added: “I want to thank @dakotajohnson and Colin for trusting me with their time, taste, and talent (Giggling with your friend because you’re twinning for an entire shoot was a new and truly delightful experience).”
The single is the first of four extra tracks on an expanded edition of Swift’s album The Life of A Showgirl, her first new release since marrying NFL star Travis Kelce on July 3.
