Taylor Swift and Lisa Kudrow Deliver a Shocking “Smelly Cat” Duet

Celebrity crossovers and joint performances are nothing new. They’ve been a staple at arena tours worldwide, where audiences are often surprised with a guest appearance and a special song; sometimes these events are one-off occurrences, such as the performance between Taylor Swift and Friends star Lisa Kudrow.

On August 26th, 2015, during Taylor Swift’s sold-out 1989 World Tour at Los Angeles’ Staples Center, the audience was in for a rare and random treat. Lisa Kudrow, best known as Phoebe Buffay, reprised her iconic role for a live acoustic rendition of the comedic Friends song “Smelly Cat,” which you can view in the video below:

Before Lisa Kudrow took the stage, Taylor Swift teased the audience about her special guest. “This singer, she’s only ever played in coffee houses before,” she said. “She’s never played in a big venue like this, so we’ve got to make her feel welcome.” When fans realized that one of Friends’ biggest stars was about to perform, they went wild, especially upon hearing that they would witness an exclusive performance of “Smelly Cat.”

“Smelly Cat” quickly became a cult classic comedy song from Friends after the episode “The One With The Baby On The Bus” aired. It reappeared in multiple episodes, becoming a significant part of Phoebe’s character and a fan favorite. The song remains one of the most memorable aspects of Friends to this day:

During their unexpected duet at the Staples Center, Lisa Kudrow and Taylor Swift shared a guitar and began performing “Smelly Cat” together. When it was Taylor Swift’s turn to sing a verse solo, Kudrow humorously interrupted her, emphasizing the need to ‘feel the lyrics.’ After some playful back-and-forth, they resumed the song, with the entire arena joining in for the final verse.

Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour was a global success, with sold-out arenas celebrating her fifth studio album, 1989. This album marked a significant departure from her country roots, showcasing her growth as an artist and featuring some of her most successful songs, including the pop anthem “Blank Space,” which quickly topped global charts after its release.

“Smelly Cat” has not only become a Friends-related cult classic but has also been covered by numerous artists. Chris Isaak, James Michael Tyler, and even co-star Courteney Cox (who played Monica Geller) have paid tribute to this quirky song about a neglected, smelly cat. In 2021, the cast of Friends reunited for a special, where Lisa Kudrow performed “Smelly Cat” with the iconic American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga.