Kevin Winter/MTV1415/Getty Images for MTVIt was a Great Gatsby theme for Taylor Swift's first on-stage performance of her hit song "Shake It Off."
Flanked by suited-up male dancers and rocking a silver two-piece shimmery number, the 24-year-old singer graced the VMA stage that bore her upcoming fifth studio album's name, 1989.
While standing atop the gilded platform, T-Swift stopped mid-shake (and mid-song) to assess the waiting arms of her snazzy dancers and decided to take the stairs. The cautious crooner said as the music stopped, "I don't care if it's the VMAs, I'm not jumping off there. People are getting bit by snakes, it's dangerous," referring to Nicki Minaj's dancer who was bitten by a boa constrictor during rehearsals yesterday.
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Swift was introduced to the stage by good friend and Best Rock Video winner, Lorde. "On the surface, this next performer and I have nothing in common: She's tall, blonde and doesn't wear this much black," the "Royals" singer-songwriter said before adding, "But we both base our art on the kinds of things that delight, terrify and confound us. And for that, I'm grateful she exists."
Speaking of friendship, the country-turned-pop star recently told Good Morning America that she chooses people "who have things in common with me...or who challenge me," as her sidekicks.
"I think that it doesn't matter what career my friends have. It just based on the fact that...I can really relate to people who are very driven, and intelligent," she continued. "You want to be around, like, smart, exciting people. I think that just brings you up."