Jo Koy has responded to the backlash over his Taylor Swift NFL joke at the 2024 Golden Globes.
The 52-year-old comedian, whose full name is Joseph Glenn Herbert Sr., hosted the 81st annual award ceremony and didn’t hold back in his opening monologue.
Despite acquiring the job just two weeks ago, Koy had lots of material prepared as he made jokes ranging from Oppenheimer's running time to Barbie being about a "plastic doll with big boobs" to the former royal couple Harry and Meghan.
At one point, the host attempted to joke about the 'I Knew You Were Trouble' artist's displays of support for her NFL player beau, Travis Kelce.
Watch the moment below:"The big difference between the Golden Globes and the NFL? On the Golden Globes, we have fewer camera shots of Taylor Swift... there’s just more to go to here," Koy joked on stage. The camera then panned to the 34-year-old pop star, who could be seen with an icy expression before taking a sip from her drink.
Of course, the Swifties came out in full defense as they took to social media to slam Koy, with one user writing: "Omg, Taylor Swift’s death stare before sipping champagne at the #GoldenGlobes perfectly embodies Jo Koy’s cringey hosting job."
Another chimed remarked: "That death glare Taylor Swift gave Jo Koy after his little camera angle comment… GIRL, that man better say some prayers or something because if looks could bring misfortune, it’s that one."
A third user referenced the controversial Will Smith Oscars slap of 2022, noting: "The one funny thing Jo Koy has done so far is mention Taylor Swift by name because it led to this cutaway shot where she’s extremely 'keep my name out of your mouth'."
Even TV host Piers Morgan shared his thoughts as he penned: "If Taylor Swift death stares could actually kill, Jo Koy would now be deceased."
After the ceremony, the comic spoke with Entertainment Tonight at Billboard's Golden Globes after-party where an interviewer brought up the moment which exploded on the internet.
Speaking about the backlash, Koy said: "Aww, man, it was cute. I was just saying it was cute. I was just saying it's less cutaways, that's all."
The interviewer quipped that maybe the 'Karma' songstress was "thirsty" which is why she drank her champagne when the camera panned to her after the host's joke.
"Aww, man," Koy added, smiling.
Despite the seemingly poor response to his first-ever Golden Globes hosting gig, Koy seemed pleased with the impressive sweep of AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) wins.
"It's not just one, it's for all of us," he added.
