Jon Bon Jovi Reflects on His Career: ‘I Was Never Any of the Clichés of Rock Stardom’

The rocker looked back on his 40-year career at a screening of his band’s docuseries, ‘Thank You Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story’

Jon Bon Jovi in New York City in September 2023. Photo:  John Nacion/Getty

Jon Bon Jovi is reflecting on his 40-year career.

Speaking during a Q&A at a screening of his band’s docuseries, Thank You Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, in Santa Monica on April 10, Bon Jovi, 62, opened up about his career and shared how he has never been a stereotypical musician because he knew “I had to wake up the next day and do it again.”

“I was never any of the clichés of rock stardom because I was very cognizant of having to do it again tomorrow,” explained the singer. “But that’s the fragility of something as big as your thumbnail. And I never took any of this for granted, never.”

“Like I said, it’s my 18th album and we worked as hard or harder on this album as I did on Slippery When Wet, in fact, harder because we’re not as naïve as we were in 1986 when we just went, and guess what? We just wrote … Now you’re working even harder and smarter.”

“But I do think sometimes about the athlete who eventually has to come to terms with a next chapter in their life, and I won’t ever have to face that next chapter,” he continued.

Jon Bon Jovi performs in Los Angeles in February 2024.Amy Sussman/Getty

Bon Jovi then went on to muse about the pressure that comes with being the frontman of an iconic rock band and fulfilling fans’ expectations.

“It’s not easy,” he said. “It’s difficult. The old adage with me in the heyday is, and the singer went home, that was the end of every story and the singer went home.”

“We all go on the social media and we see pictures from our pasts or we see our heroes in our past, and then you want to touch that moment again. But that’s history,” he continued.

“Then you just have to be the best version of you now. And it’s impossible to go back to 1995 and be that kid again. I challenge him, but I can’t pretend to be that. You can’t do that. And I think the question is do we because of social media, get caught up in that we need to be younger, faster, sleeker, or are we going to be cool with being comfortable with who we are now? Just the best version of us now.”

David Bryan, Richie Sambora, Jon Bon Jovi, Tico Torres and Alec John Such in August 1987.Birmingham Post and Mail Archive/Mirrorpix/Getty

The rock act— which is fronted by Bon Jovi and also features keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, guitarist Phil X and bassist Hugh McDonald — announced their 16th studio album Forever last month. The record is due to be released on June 7 via Island Records.

Slippery When Wet, which went 12-times platinum, remains the group’s most successful album.

The band’s four-part docuseries, which features interviews with current and past band members like Bon Jovi, David Bryan and Richie Sambora, will be released on Hulu on Friday, April 26.

Elsewhere during the Q&A, the “Livin’ on a Prayer” singer also offered an update on his health after undergoing vocal surgery in 2022.

“What you saw on film was shot last March in that scene when I couldn’t sing well, or two years ago when I was on the road,” Bon Jovi said. “I’m well into the recovery. I’m more than capable of singing. It’s just that for me, the bar is two and a half hours a night, four nights a week, before I say we’re going to go and do any shows.”

“So I’m well back on the road to recovery, not a day of its easy. Every day is a struggle, but I’m more than capable of doing it again,” he added.

Jon Bon Jovi and Armin van Buuren Unveil Remix of Bon Jovi Classic at Ultra Festival: ‘Can’t Actually Believe This Happened’

The Bon Jovi frontman made a special appearance during the Dutch DJ’s set at the Miami festival on Sunday night

Jon Bon Jovi made an unexpected appearance this weekend.

On Sunday night, the Bon Jovi frontman, 62, joined Armin van Buuren during his set on the main stage at 2024 Ultra Music Festival in Miami.

“I remember being a little kid and buying this guy’s album,” the Dutch DJ and producer, 47, told the crowd in video footage, before Jon walked onstage in a white T-shirt, jeans and sunglasses, exclaiming: “What up, Ultra?”

Jon Bon Jovi Performs with Armin van Buuren at 2024 Ultra Festival.Armin van Buuren/Youtube

The “It’s My Life” artist then began jumping alongside van Buuren as he played his remix of Bon Jovi’s 1992 hit “Keep the Faith,” and then Jon stood on the decks to sing along to the remix, which featured the “Lose the Feeling” artist putting a bombastic kickdrum to the “everybody needs somebody to love” segment of the track.

“Ultra make some noise for this legend Mr. Jon Bon Jovi!” van Buuren screamed mid-song, as the electric song built up and pyro elements took over the performance.

Jon Bon Jovi performs with Armin van Buuren at 2024 Ultra Festival in Miami.Armin van Buuren/Youtube

“It’s an incredible honor to remix this track and to share the stage with Jon Bon Jovi, as I’ve been a massive fan for years,” the electronic artist told Billboard in a statement. “This track is different from anything I’ve ever released before, and no better place to first share it with you all than on the Ultra main stage.”

van Buuren commemorated their team-up on Monday with an Instagram post, which featured video footage of him introducing the rocker and them behind the decks, a photo of the duo standing behind the decks and an image of the pair in front of a high-rise in Miami.

“Can’t actually believe this happened! Thank you so much @jonbonjovi from @bonjovi for coming on stage with me to play my remix of ‘Keep The Faith’ 🙏 I’ll forever remember this moment!” the “Sucker for Love” performer captioned the post.

Jon’s appearance at Ultra might be one of the few live appearances he has for a while.

As Bon Jovi gears up to release its 16th studio album, Legendary, the Grammy winner has been considering whether it is in the best interest of his health to tour again after undergoing vocal cord surgery in 2022.

During a radio interview earlier this month on Mix 104.1 Boston, Jon explained that he’s “still recovering from a major surgery,” but the “goal” is to tour once he’s able to give fans the best show possible.

When asked about his plans to promote the forthcoming LP on the road, he admitted, “I don’t know about a tour. It is my desire to do a tour next year, but I’m just still recovering from a major surgery.”

What It’s Really Like to Go on a Jon Bon Jovi Cruise: One PEOPLE Editor’s Journey

Four days on a rock-and-roll-themed sailing turned a live music skeptic into a certified Jovi Junkie

Though I’m a seasoned cruiser, I was admittedly slightly nervous when I was assigned to set sail on the Runaway to Paradise with Jon Bon Jovi cruise this past April. Would a celebrity-themed trip veer so far from the traditional cruising experience that it wouldn’t resemble the vacation model that I know and love? Did I have to be a ride-or-die Bon Jovi fan to truly appreciate the full experience?

As “Livin’ On a Prayer” blared through the speakers three times within the first hour of boarding Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade ship in Miami, I feared my worries were valid. I watched anxiously as the crew of Sixthman—the production company behind the cruise that puts on a ton of flawlessly-executed music festivals at sea—was setting up the main stage over one of the pools.

It’s at this point that I must make a shocking admission: I don’t really like music festivals, or live music in general. I know, I know…perhaps this was not going to be the journey for me.

Friday, April 12

Immediately, I noticed there’s a camaraderie on board this boat that’s far greater than your average cruise. This is no doubt thanks to everyone instantly connecting over their love for Bon Jovi, but the man himself isn’t at the center of every connection. Case in point: As I waited in line to get WiFi, a woman who I did not know told me that her recent 23andMe DNA test led her to discover that her father was not her biological father. We had not left the dock yet.

I downed a Miami Vice (a glorious combination of piña colada and strawberry daiquiri) as the ship set sail, a tradition of mine that instantaneously calmed my nerves owing to both the familiarity of the ritual and the extra floater of rum I requested.

Beyond the friendliness of the passengers, there were a few other delightful things I noticed about this cruise right away. First, the Norwegian Jade: It’s an older ship, and less flashy than some of the fleet’s newer models like the Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy, but it was refurbished in 2017 and it shows. While it lacks the more headline-grabbing amenities like an onboard water park or go-kart track, the cleanliness and intimate feel of the ship made it a perfect vessel for the 4-night journey—which everyone was on for the music anyway.

The Sixthman staffers also provided a positive difference from other cruises I’ve taken. Members of the company’s ultra-friendly and robust crew were stationed throughout the ship, answering any questions guests had. It’s an additional level of hospitality that does not go unnoticed.

Finally—and most notably—there were practically no kids. While this isn’t explicitly an adults-only cruise, there seemed to be an unspoken agreement among everyone on board to leave the little ones at home, something I appreciated greatly.

As the evening unfurled, the live performances began on the main stage—while Jon Bon Jovi wouldn’t join us until the following night, there were a host of other bands like Tonic and Collective Soul on the weekend’s lineup—and the raucous energy of the crowd was in full force. Servers were handing out unlimited glasses of Hampton Water rosè (Bon Jovi’s business venture with his son Jesse Bongiovi) and everyone was ready to get after it.

I was not quite ready to commit so fully, so I quietly excused myself to dinner at Cagney’s, Norwegian’s signature steakhouse. While on more typical sailings it can be hard to snag a reservation at specialty dining restaurants, on this night they were completely empty as everyone soaked in the live music, and I enjoyed my wonderfully-cooked veal chop and a fudge brownie in quiet solitude, but for “Livin’ on a Prayer” playing on the speakers.

As night fell, I watch a movie in which Jennifer Lopez played a grocery store clerk, wondering if I was alive.

Saturday, April 13

It is a day at sea, my favorite kind of day. I notice that the towels provided in my cabin match flawlessly with the outfit I had planned for the day, so I found a fellow journalist I had befriended the day before and made her photograph me for Instagram.

With that out of the way, it was time to get serious. It was noon and Slippery When Wet, a Bon Jovi cover band, was playing their first of what I believe was 150 sets during this cruise, and all of the passengers who had stayed out at least 5 hours later than me were already surrounding the stage.

On the pool deck with a perfect view of the stage, we met a group of women all sporting the same “Jovi Junkie” t-shirts and hats. They were from the Chicago suburbs and had left the kids at home for a girls’ trip — something they do semi-annually. When I ask where they usually go, the response was: “Wherever Bon Jovi goes.” I felt dumb for asking.

I learn that Jovi Junkie is the name of their online apparel shop for Bon Jovi fans. It is etched on the thermoses they were all carrying, which were full of vodka and club soda with a hefty splash of zero-calorie Crystal Light flavor drops in them. I was told, repeatedly, that each thermos contains only 37 calories. And just like that, I’d found my tribe.

One hundred and eleven calories later, we noticed that we’d docked in the Bahamas — a surprise because our port day in Nassau wasn’t supposed to be until Sunday. As it turned out, we were picking up the real Bon Jovi! The energy on board bumped up from a 10 to roughly a 14 with his presence on board. That evening, he played an acoustic storyteller set, answering audience questions and weaving them effortlessly into slowed-down versions of his hits. I know more Bon Jovi songs than I realized, and found this to be a relaxing exercise.

After the show, I went for a meet and greet. I tried to jog his memory about the time I interviewed him for approximately five minutes two years earlier, as though he’d thought of nothing since. He nodded graciously and took a photo with me.

We made a quick stop back at Nassau to drop off Bon Jovi. He would be back.

Sunday, April 14

The port day in Nassau came at just the right time. I used the loving break from the ship and the Jovi Junkies to explore the island, eat whole fried fish (at a lovely spot called Fish Fry), and do a spontaneous photo shoot with strangers I met on the beach, who may or may not be actual models.

When we left port, it was time for the main event. The real Bon Jovi show, with electric guitars and such. By this point, I was accustomed to the concept of live music, and even comfortable with it. If the energy the night before was a 14, tonight it was equal to the amount of calories in a thermos of vodka and zero-calorie Crystal Light drops (37) for show number two.

Bon Jovi’s performance was electrifying. When he wasn’t playing his hits, he played covers of other popular songs (a particularly on-point rendition of the Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Woman” still sticks out in my mind.) There was never one of those dreaded “I’d like to workshop some new material” moments.

All of the Jovi Junkies said this was the most intimate concert of his they’d been to, and I felt it. Rather than a sold-out stadium like Madison Square Garden, which holds 20,000+ people, this ship holds 2,200, and it really did feel like a personal experience.

After the concert, I went for my second-night-in-a-row Bon Jovi meet and greet. As I walk up to shake his hand, he said: “You’re back.” It was hard to get a read on the tone with which he said this, but regardless, he remembered me, and my work here was done. I stayed out late that night.

Monday, April 15

This was the roughest day…or, at least, morning. I dragged myself out of bed eventually, and headed to lunch. One unique feature of this sailing was that they had transformed one of the restaurants into a pop-up version of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen, which is his pay-if-you-can restaurant that started in New Jersey.

I enjoy a delightful meal there that concluded with a ten-out-of-ten molten chocolate cake, which happens to be my favorite dessert. It was restorative, but the previous night’s festivities still rendered me immobile until nighttime, when I meet my Jovi Junkies at the ’80s silent disco on board for just long enough to get an Instagram photo.

Tuesday, April 16

When I woke up, we are back in Miami. I don’t know that I could’ve survived another day—it was exactly the right amount of time for my personal journey—but ultimately the infectious spirit on board was too powerful even for my cynical heart. Four days, two flawless Jon Bon Jovi sets, and so many glasses of Hampton Water rosé later, I was a certified Jovi Junkie—though I’m still not quite ready to hear “Livin’ on a Prayer” again.

The Main Takeaway: If you’re a die-hard Bon Jovi fan, this is an absolute bucket-list-item adventure (and there’s another one sailing from Spain in August!). And if you’re not, hey, you just might become a convert.

Livin’ on a Prayer — and Big Hair! 16 Totally Epic Photos of Bon Jovi on Tour in the 1980s to Take You Back

The band’s first major headlining tour supported their ever-popular ‘Slippery When Wet’ album

Bon Jovi in 1987. Photo: Birmingham Post and Mail Archive/Mirrorpix/Getty

It doesn’t get more ’80s than this.

In 1986, the members of Bon Jovi — Richie Sambora, Jon Bon Jovi, Alec John Such, Tico Torres and David Bryan — embarked on their Slippery When Wet Tour, traveling the globe in support of their hit album of the same name. After kicking off in Canada, the group traveled to Japan and Australia, through Europe and to just about every city in America to belt their hits like “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ on a Prayer.”

“We thought we had a really good record,” frontman Jon Bon Jovi recalled on a 2021 episode of the Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt podcast. It was: the album itself went 12-times Platinum and the tour was a major financial success for the group.

Grab your neon leggings, crimp your hair and take a trip back to the late 1980s with some incredible photos of the band on the Slippery When Wet Tour.

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With the Band

Richie Sambora, Jon Bon Jovi, Alec John Such, Tico Torres and David Bryan of Bon Jovi.Lester Cohen/Getty

Bandmates Richie Sambora, Jon Bon Jovi, Alec John Such, Tico Torres and David Bryan celebrated their record achieving gold status in 1986.

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Hair Apparent

Jon Bon Jovi.Ross Marino/Getty

Ahead of the band’s Detroit tour stop in 1987, frontman Jon Bon Jovi posed for this glamour shot.

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Let It Rock

Alec John Such and Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi.Ross Marino/Getty

Alec John Such and Richie Sambora rocked it out onstage in Detroit in 1987.

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Wild in the Streets

David Bryan and Jon Bon Jovi.Ross Marino/Getty

Taking off after their Detroit show, David Bryan and Jon Bon Jovi played a game of cards on their private plane.

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Livin’ on a Prayer

David Bryan, Richie Sambora, Jon Bon Jovi, Tico Torres and Alec John Such of Bon Jovi.Birmingham Post and Mail Archive/Mirrorpix/Getty

At the 1987 Monsters of Rock festival at England’s Castle Donington, David Bryan, Richie Sambora, Jon Bon Jovi, Tico Torres and Alec John Such posed in all their glory.

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You Give Love a Bad Name

Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora.Ross Marino/Getty

Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora had some fun on stage during one of their 1987 tour stops.

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Wanted Dead or Alive

Tico Torres, Richie Sambora, Alec John Sutch, Jon Bon Jovi and David Bryan of Bon Jovi.Ilpo Musto/Shutterstock

While on the road in 1987, the group posed for another iconic portrait.

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I’d Die for You

Jon Bon Jovi.Trevor James Robert Dallen/Fairfax Media via Getty

On stage in Sydney in 1987, Jon Bon Jovi showed off his signature smile.

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Without Love

Jon Bon Jovi.Ross Marino/Getty

Frontman Jon Bon Jovi managed to have fun backstage at a show in 1987, too!

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Slippery When Wet

Jon Bon Jovi.Bill Marino/Sygma via Getty

Is Jon Bon Jovi’s hair also slippery when wet?

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Edge of a Broken Heart

Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi.Ross Marino/Getty

Guitarist Richie Sambora was always one for on-stage theatrics.

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Social Disease

Jon Bon Jovi.Ross Marino/Getty

Jon Bon Jovi’s late-’80s tour style included glimmering jackets and lots of hair accessories.

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Raise Your Hands

Jon Bon Jovi. Trevor James Robert Dallen/Fairfax Media via Getty

Jon Bon Jovi was doing aerial tricks even before Pink!

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Picture Perfect

Ross Marino/Getty (2)

Backstage on a 1987 tour stop, the band took these amazing portraits. Here’s keyboardist David Bryan and Jon Bon Jovi.

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Take Two

Ross Marino/Getty (2)

And feast your eyes on guitarist Richie Sambora and drummer Tico Torres.

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Never Say Goodbye

David Bryan, Tico Torres, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Alec John Such of Bon Jovi. Paul Natkin/Getty

Never stop rocking, guys.

‘Nothing But Love’: Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora’s Epic ’80s Friendship in Photos

The longtime Bon Jovi bandmates had an epic musical partnership

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi onstage in Ontario in 2013. Photo: Igor Vidyashev/ZUMAPRESS.com/Alamy

After hitting the high notes together for three decades, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora’s musical partnership came to an abrupt end in 2013, when Sambora, the lead guitarist, co-songwriter and founding member of Bon Jovi, quit the band without warning in the middle of their Because We Can world tour ahead of a sold-out show.

With months left to go on the tour and dozens of concerts scheduled, the band was left scrambling to find a replacement. More than that, they were left reeling from Sambora’s unexpected departure.

“There was no fight or money issues, like the reports say,” Bon Jovi told PEOPLE in 2016. “Nobody expected Richie to quit in the middle of the night for no reason. He wasn’t fired; he just didn’t come to work.”

Ultimately, the band soldiered on, completing the tour with new lead guitarist Phil X. And Bon Jovi has seemingly remained friendly with Sambora, telling PEOPLE recently that the two watched several episodes of Hulu’s new docuseries Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story together. “There’s never animosity,” the 62-year-old rocker said.

In that spirit, we’re looking back at the good times with these photos that showcase how Sambora and Bon Jovi’s friendship was the bedrock of their band’s success.

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Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 1984

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi onstage in 1984.Midori Tsukagoshi/Shinko Music/Getty

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi rocked out together during Super Rock ’84 at Nagoya Stadium in Tokyo.

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Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 1993

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi performing live in 1993.Clayton Call/Redferns

The rockers went back to back at the Oakland Coliseum in California on March 14, 1993.

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Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 1995

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 1995.Dave Hogan/Getty

The hair at this June 1995 show was just too good.

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Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2007

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2007.Ray Garbo/Shutterstock

It was all about the fist pumps for the band’s concert at Summerfest in Milwaukee in 2007.

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Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2011

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2011.Ethan Miller/Getty

The theatrics were there for a concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in March 2011 in Las Vegas.

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Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2012

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi performing in 2012. Jesse Grant/Getty

The pair’s friendship was on full display in 2012 as Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi performed during the MasterCard Priceless Los Angeles Presents GRAMMY Artists Revealed event.

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Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2013

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in February 2013.Owen Sweeney/Shutterstock

Before he walked away, Richie Sambora was on hand for opening night of Bon Jovi’s Because We Can Tour in Washington, D.C., in February of 2013.

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Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2013

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2013.Owen Sweeney/Shutterstock

The rockers had their happy faces on as the show continued.

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Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2013

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2013.Igor Vidyashev/ZUMAPRESS.com/Alamy

Richie Sambora kept up as the band hit Toronto in February of 2013, but by April, was no longer performing with the group.

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Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2018

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi at the 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.Kevin Mazur/Getty

Showing that there weren’t hard feelings, Richie Sambora joined Jon Bon Jovi during the 33rd Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland in April of 2018.

Moments Taylor Swift Actually Made Me LOL

35 years ago today, a legend was born. No one has ever written more relatable breakup songs, had so much passion for cats and fall, baked more pop tarts, or overall white girled harder than Billboard’s *second* greatest pop star of the century, Ms. Taylor Alison Swift. The millennial queen has won 14 Grammys so far for her musical excellence (I’m sure she’ll collect a few more in February), but I must say, all her deeply hilarious moments remain tragically underappreciated.

In my day, I’ve spent more hours than I’d like to admit watching compilations of Taylor’s funny moments and having a quality giggle. Girlie has an impressive sense of humor for an out of touch billionaire, but she’s also just really unintentionally funny sometimes. Swifties, please enjoy my meticulously curated roundup of classic Funny Taylor Swift moments.

Taylor Swift’s Funny Moments

#DrunkTaylor

~Drunk Taylor was her name, mojitos were her game~. I adore this priceless 2019 content. Taylor later admitted in an interview that after two and a half mojitos, “I go from zero to legitimately thinking I’m a wizard.”

When She Roasted A Scared Ex

Ended. Him. Circa 2009 or 2010, Taylor gifted us this iconic impression of her ex: “I’ve had a guy be like, ‘You’re not gonna write about this, are you?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, I am.’” And thank goodness she did.

Her And That Headless Banana

Andrea Swift was diabolical for giving Jimmy Fallon this video of Taylor post-Lasik surgery. The banana without a head will live on forever in Taylor lore and pop culture history <3.

Her “Why Sing To The Haters?” Response

Taylor really said, “When they stop coming for me, I’ll stop singing to them.” She’s a petty bitch like me… I felt seen by this. She validated my Scorpio soul even more with: “People go on and on about, like, you have to forgive and forget to move past something. No you don’t!” Period.

That Bizarre “Pumped Up Kicks” Parody With Zac Efron

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The duo we had no idea we needed… This ~Ellen is weird~ Taylor and Zac duet changed the culture. They were ahead of their time!!

“Taylor Smith, Everyone”

 

Obsessed with how she just giggled at the camera instead of correcting this, like we’re all sharing the inside joke. In all seriousness, if I said “Taylor Smith” that confidently and realized the mistake later, I’d never leave my house again.

That Time She Destroyed Joe Jonas On Ellen

“When I find that person that is right for me, he’ll be wonderful,” Taylor famously mused to Ellen like 50 years ago (2008). “And when I look at that person, I’m not even gonna be able to remember the boy who broke up with me over the phone in 25 seconds when I was 18.” I fear there’s no way Joe ever recovered from this burn. He’s still burnin’ up, burnin’ up.

“You Can’t Spell Cats Without TS”

I mean, did she stutter?

“Thug Story”

She’s yet to make a better song or music video than this, unfortunately. Bring back T. Swizzle.

An Important Investigation Into Sabrina And Taylor’s Friendship Post-SKIMS Campaign

The pop girls and Kim Kardashian are stressing me out as usual. Ever since Sabrina’s (stunning) April collab with SKIMS, Swifties have been questioning her loyalty to Taylor, and understandably so. As quite literally the entire globe knows, Taylor hates Kim. She’s only told us, like, five billion times. Most recently, she called out Kim in the pointed Tortured Poets Department track, “thanK u, aIMee,” and the feud made headlines yet again.

Sabrina, on the other hand, has definitely received Taylor’s stamp of approval… or least she had it at one point. Taylor low-key launched Sabrina’s main pop girl era by inviting the former Disney star to open for her on the Eras Tour, and the girlies have become quite close. They’ve openly supported each other’s work and hung out at award shows and Chiefs games. Buttt, are Taylor and Sabrina still friends after Sabrina’s SKIMS collab with Kim? Here’s how Taylor reacted to the tricky situation and where she stands with the “Espresso” singer today.

Are Taylor And Sabrina Still Friends?

How Did Taylor React To Sabrina’s SKIMS Campaign?

It sounds like Taylor was very in-the-know about this collab while it was happening. “As much as people want to believe you’re tuned into every little thing, I’m not because I’m constantly working,” Sabrina told Rolling Stone about the situation. (You know how it is — she’s always working late ’cause she’s a singer.) Sabrina explained, “In that scenario, I’ve been very, very communicative with her about that situation, and I just love her so much and support her till the end. So it was no weirdness for me, but I know people will just say things because that’s all they have time to do.”

Personally, if my friend collaborated with my sworn enemy, I’d cut her off, but I love this mature communication for Taybrina. At the end of the day, Sabrina’s just a pop icon taking advantage of every pop icon opportunity, as she should.

Where Do Taylor And Sabrina Stand Today?

 
Image Credit: Getty

I honestly think all is well between the Eras Tour besties these days, based on that comment from Sabrina. Also, “Espresso” is the fourth song on Taylor’s Apple Music “Summer Era” playlist, which mostly consists of her own songs. Sabrina’s hits “Nonsense” and “skinny dipping” made the playlist too. A positive sign for Taybrina!

TBH, Taylor’s already high-key beefing with Olivia Rodrigo and low-key beefing with Billie Eilish, so a conflict with Sabrina would not be the best look right now. One to two Gen Z-ers at a time, perhaps. Will the “Karma” queen release 25 new versions of The Tortured Poets Department to block Sabrina’s new album, Short n’ Sweet, from No. 1 when it comes out? Yes, of course. Just ask her other former tour opener, Charli XCX. Oh, and Billie. But that’s just business (Taylor’s Version)!

Taylor Swift’s family tree: Inside her tight-knit bond with her mom, dad and brother

They belong with her.

Taylor Swift has a small but tight-knit family whom she has referenced on multiple songs over the years, from “The Best Day” to “Never Grow Up.”

The pop star was raised on a 15-acre Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania by mom Andrea Swift and dad Scott Swift.
Meet Taylor Swift’s family members. Getty Images for ACM
Her mom is Andrea Swift and her dad is Scott Swift. Getty Images for dcp
She has a brother named Austin. Jackson Lee
The couple, who wed in February 1988, welcomed Taylor in December 1989, followed by son Austin Swift in March 1992.

When the singer was 13, her family of four moved to Tennessee in order to pursue her music career and have supported her ever since.

Get to know the Grammy winner’s loved ones below.

Andrea Swift

Andrea went from working in the finance industry to being a stay-at-home mom. WireImage
She gave birth to her baby girl in December 1989. Kevin Winter/ACMA/Getty Images for ACMA
After giving birth to Taylor and Austin, Andrea stopped working as a mutual fund marketing executive to be a stay-at-home mother to the little ones.

The former businesswoman intentionally gave Taylor “an androgynous name [to] help reduce any potential discrimination in the corporate world,” the songwriter told Rolling Stone in 2009.

Andrea called Taylor’s musical ambitions as natural as “breathing” while speaking to Entertainment Weekly the previous year.
Their family moved from Pennsylvania to Tennessee for Taylor’s career. WireImage
The singer has called Andrea her “best friend.” Getty Images
At the time, Andrea clarified that she and Scott did not put any “pressure or guilt” on their daughter after their Tennessee move.

“I never wanted to make that move about her ‘making it,’” she explained to the outlet. “We’ve always told her that this is not about putting food on our table or making our dreams come true.”

Once Taylor’s career did take off, however, Andrea wasn’t afraid to share her opinions. For example, she was originally against the singer’s now-signature red lipstick.

The mother-daughter duo have such a close bond that Taylor referred to Andrea as her “best friend” while accepting a Grammy in 2008.
Andrea is a two-time cancer survivor. Cooper Neill/Getty Images for dcp
She has attended Taylor’s shows and her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s NFL games. ESPN
Andrea battled cancer in both 2015 and 2019 and was diagnosed with a brain tumor the following year. Taylor shared sparse details about the health scares with her fans on social media and in songs.

“Everyone loves their mom; everyone’s got an important mom. But for me, she’s really the guiding force,” she gushed to Variety in 2020. “Almost every decision I make, I talk to her about it first. So obviously it was a really big deal to ever speak about her illness.”

Not only has Andrea been a staple presence at Taylor’s concerts and award show wins over the years, but she also attended a Kansas City Chiefs game in 2024 to support her daughter’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce.

Scott Swift

Scott also worked in the finance industry. Rick Diamond/WireImage for CMT
He has opened up about his daughter’s musical ambitions from a young age. Getty Images for CMT
Scott, who worked as a Merrill Lynch financial advisor, has also been a massive support for Taylor’s career from the start.

“She was always singing music when she was 3, 5, 6, 7 years old,” he recalled to UDaily in 2009. “It’s Taylor doing what she likes to do.”

Scott made headlines in 2020 when he urged his eldest child not to discuss politics publicly in her “Taylor Swift: Miss Americana” documentary over fears for her safety.
He frequently attends Taylor’s shows. Larry Busacca/ACM2015/Getty Images for dcp
He has accompanied her to Chiefs games as well. AP
“I’m terrified,” the former stockbrocker, who is also a cancer survivor, confessed in the Netflix release. “I’m the guy that went out and bought armored cars.”

Like Andrea, Scott has frequently supported Taylor at her performances — including dancing with Kelce at a Buenos Aires show in November 2023.

After a New Orleans concert in October 2024, he reportedly told a fellow airplane passenger that the NFL player has “made the biggest impact” on Taylor out of all her boyfriends.

Scott has also been an influence on Taylor’s career, as she once yelled, “But daddy, I love him” to her father during an “epic teenage tantrum.” As many fans know, Taylor released a song by that name on her “Tortured Poets Department” album in 2024.

Austin Swift

Swift is an older sister. Getty Images for The Weinstein Company
Austin was born in 1992. Christopher Polk/Getty Images for PCA
Similar to his sister, Austin has pursued a career in the arts as an actor, making his film debut in “I.T.” in 2016.

Taylor called him “one of her best pals” via Facebook while promoting his film “We Summon the Darkness” in 2020.

In addition to his acting roles, he has also worked with his sister — appearing in the “Christmas Tree Farm” music video and producing the one for “I Bet You Think About Me.”
He is an actor. Getty Images for ACM
Austin has worked with his sibling on multiple projects. Christopher Polk/Getty Images for PCA
Although Austin is not active on social media, he went viral in November 2024 for preventing a security guard from kicking a Swiftie dressed like Kelce out of an Eras Tour show.

He also hooked up a disabled fan with accessible seats.

Two months prior, Austin and Taylor adorably celebrated a Chiefs touchdown together as Kelce’s team beat the Cincinnati Bengals.

Taylor Swift donated more than 700 million VND to help poor girls go to college

According to Daily Mail on August 21, a black female student called on people to donate money for college through a post on the fundraising platform GoFundMe. After hearing the news, Taylor Swift quickly donated 23,000 pounds.

Vitoria Mario (18 years old) dreams of becoming a mathematician in the future but cannot enter university due to financial problems. The black female student migrated from Portugal to live with relatives in Tottenham (UK) 4 years ago.

She could barely pay for her studies while her father passed away and her mother remained in Portugal. After asking for help everywhere but receiving no response, she decided to ask the community to raise money for her to go to school through the fundraising platform GoFundMe.

The amount of money that Vitoria Mario wants to achieve is about 40,000 pounds (more than 1.2 billion VND) to pay for tuition, buy supplies, learning equipment and living expenses for 4 years of university.

After reading the above female student’s appeal, Taylor Swift reviewed and decided to donate 23,000 pounds (more than 700 million VND) to help the black girl pay tuition. The singer of Look what you made me do did not forget to leave a message: “Vitoria, I read your story online, they really inspire people because of your motivation and your efforts to transform dream come true. I want to give you the rest of my goal amount.

Good luck with everything you do. Best regards, Taylor.” In response, the 18-year-old female student expressed her happiness: “My mind was blown away when I read those words. I wondered how I could achieve the target number and now, the miracle has happened” and thanked everyone for their support.

 

Taylor Swift continuously puts money into her pocket to help many difficult situations

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM NV

Previously, on the fundraising platform GoFundMe, Vitoria Mario said her goal was to raise 40,000 pounds to be able to enter the university gate. The black female student revealed that she is qualified to major in Mathematics at the prestigious Warwick University with impressive achievements.

Vitoria Mario explained that she did not meet the criteria to borrow social assistance loans because she did not have a house, her family had a low income and was not qualified to support her studies. “Sadly, my father passed away and my mother is still in Portugal. Leaving her was a big challenge for me, but it was a legitimate sacrifice in the family’s mind. If you want to receive a good education like in England, you have to make trade-offs,” the poor girl expressed.

Before deciding to set up a fundraising page, Vitoria Mario sent emails to 442 people from leading companies hoping to receive support or useful advice, but they were all ignored or rejected without reason. “Desperately searching for a solution to my path, I went to the wealthiest post offices in London, including Kensington, left my story through letterboxes and sadly no one cared. coming,” the U.20 female student revealed. She said her dream of becoming a mathematician in the future not only opens up a better life for her family, but also inspires people in the same situation to be motivated to reach a better future, no matter what. addressing gender inequality, racism, immigration and financial barriers.

 

With help from Taylor Swift and many other individuals on social media, Vitoria Mario is getting closer to college

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM NV

Not only famous for her quality music products, Taylor Swift is a star who works hard for charity and is very interested in social issues. In early 2020, she donated 1 million USD (more than 23 billion VND) to victims of the tornado disaster in Tennessee (USA). Recently, the 30-year-old singer also quietly provided financial support to help a record store in her hometown affected by Covid-19. At the same time, she did not hesitate to send money to support some fans to help them overcome the difficulties of the epidemic season.

Inside Jon Bon Jovi’s Home Where He Raised His Big Family with School Sweetheart

Jon Bon Jovi, born John Francis Bongiovi Jr., on March 2, 1962, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor. He gained recognition and fame as the founder and lead vocalist of the rock band Bon Jovi, established in 1983. Besides launching 15 studio albums with his band, he has also released two solo albums.

Bon Jovi’s mother, Carol Sharkey, had a background in modeling and was among the early Playboy Bunnies. She met his father, John Francis Bongiovi Sr., when he was in the U.S. Marines. Bon Jovi is reportedly a blood relative to the legendary Frank Sinatra, his great paternal uncle.

While many are familiar with Bon Jovi ruling the music arena since the 80s, few might know about his picture-perfect love story. He’s been married to Dorothea Hurley since April 29, 1989, and the couple has remained faithful to their union for an astonishing 34 years.

On another occasion, Bon Jovi playfully remarked that he looked to the “love of his life” for advice and information on cosmetic procedures, including Botox and hair weaves.

According to legend, Bon Jovi and Hurley crossed paths aged 18 when he sought her assistance with answers during a history exam. Meanwhile, Hurley, then crowned a junior martial arts champion, was striving to navigate her way through school at Sayreville War Memorial High School in Parlin, New Jersey.

In a short span of time, they forged a close friendship and spent ample time in each other’s company. However, as they entered their early 20s, they discovered that their companionship was gradually transforming into a romantic relationship.

At that point, Bon Jovi had established the band Bon Jovi, featuring David Bryan on keyboards, Alec John Such on bass, Tico Torres on drums, and guitarist Richie Sambora. He was rapidly gaining popularity, becoming a well-known name in households.

By 1989, Bon Jovi and Hurley felt a strong need to solidify their relationship. Seizing the opportunity during a break in Bon Jovi’s band’s “The New Jersey Syndicate Tour” in Los Angeles, they covertly embarked on a trip to Las Vegas, tying the knot in a secret wedding ceremony.

Everything happened so quickly that the pair didn’t even have rings to wear. Ever since that special moment, the couple has happily stayed married and been blessed with the gift of four children: Stephanie Rose Bongiovi, 30, Jesse Bongiovi, 28, Jacob “Jake” Hurley Bongiovi, 21, and Romeo Jon Bongiovi, 19.

In a world of temporary flings and soul-crushing breakups, the “Livin on a Prayer” singer’s unwavering commitment to his spouse is a shining example for people within and outside show business. Bon Jovi, who has referred to himself as the “poster boy for marriage” on numerous occasions, said about his wife:

“[Dorothea] is very wise. She gave me four great kids…I did it right the first time, and she is great and undyingly loyal.”

The “Runaway” alum stated that if he were jokingly regarded as the poster boy for rock and roll marriages, he would accept it, adding that the incredible Irish singer-songwriter Paul David Hewson, a.k.a. Bono, had been married for just as long.

The rockstar and his high school sweetheart’s heartwarming story seems straight out of a fairytale. In a 2020 interview, the couple shared views about their 40-year-long bond, from finishing each other’s sentences to nurturing their brood. When asked about the secret of their marriage, Bon Jovi replied:

“Mutual respect. Having grown up together and grown together. And we really like each other. We want to hang out.”

On another occasion, Bon Jovi playfully remarked that he looked to the “love of his life” for advice and information on cosmetic procedures, including Botox and hair weaves. Citing his lack of observation, he admitted to relying on his wife to identify people who had undergone such treatments, saying he couldn’t even recognize a toupee.