Taylor Swift and Zac Efron subtly called out Ellen to her face years before toxic workplace became public
People are still in stitches over Taylor Swift and Zac Efron making 'a diss track on Ellen in front of Ellen'.
The High School Musical star and singer-songwriter appeared on The Ellen Show and performed a surprise original song for the host.
Little did they know the significance the song would go on to have - with Ellen DeGeneres later facing accusations of creating a toxic workplace environment, sexualising an interviewee as well as disrespecting another's boundaries. Prepare to have a new number one favorite track:
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It's an oldie but a goldie, sat on DeGeneres' sofa 11 years ago, Swift explains she taught Efron how to play the guitar and play 'Pumped Up Kicks' by Foster the People.
After grabbing some guitars and Swift reminding the Ted Bundy star of the chords - encouraging him along the way - the pair begin strumming and singing along.
However, it doesn't take long for Efron to suggest they 'change up the lyrics' a bit.
Efron sings: "Ellen works a long day. Giving weird interviews in a slick, cool sweater. And it gets kind of weird, yeah, callin' us out, like we're boyfriend and girlfriend.
"But it's not just 'cause we're just sitting here and we got cat videos and dance on Betty White and stuff.
"And it's always gonna be weird - 'Cause this song is all about Ellen and Swift, yeah."
Swift also gets a crack at DeGeneres, noting she's been on the show eight times so far and as well as hiding in the bathroom with a camera and scaring her, DeGeneres has frequently asked her about who she's dating.
The pair launch into a chorus which notes how 'really weird' it is 'every time' they both come on the show - 'all because of Ellen' they harmonize. Ouch.
DeGeneres may have shouted she 'love[d] it' soon after Efron and Swift finished their performance, but her facial expressions throughout the performance hint at the atmosphere being a bit more awkward - or 'weird' should I say.
And social media users are in stitches over the song, flooding to the comments to weigh in on the resurfaced clip.
One YouTube user said: "Love seeing Taylor being snarky. Seemed like she genuinely had fun calling out Ellen. Taylor has class."
"They really made a diss track on Ellen in front of Ellen... Legends," another added.
A Reddit user commented: "Never forget this exists called her out subtly by song and that was in her prime years as a TV host with the wholesome image."
"I love this. They’re roasting her and she’s just sitting there with her fake smile, seething on the inside," another added.
And a final person resolved: "It’s still iconic...!"
UNILAD has contacted Ellen DeGeneres for comment.
Topics: Celebrity, Ellen DeGeneres, Film and TV, Music, Social Media, Taylor Swift, YouTube, Zac Efron
Poppy Bilderbeck