Host Trevor Noah spent two minutes praising and defending Taylor Swift as she walked into the 66th annual Grammys.

"You can tell that Taylor Swift is here," Noah said in his opening monologue. "Look, there she is. I say the names, and they pop out. Taylor Swift, everyone."

Later, Swift would announce new album "The Tortured Poets Department" from the stage as she accepted her 13th Grammy, best pop vocal album for "Midnights."

At the start of the show, Swift walked in the background in her elegant white dress as the audience cheered. Behind Swift, her close friend and co-producer Jack Antonoff also entered the Los Angeles theater.

"Are you seeing what is happening here, as Taylor Swift moves through the room?" Noah asked. "The local economy around those tables improves. Can you see that? Look at that magic right now. Look at this magic. Lionel Ritchie, now Lionel Wealthy."

The joke referenced Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour that reportedly boosted local economies around the country. Noah then defended Swift against the media scrutiny she has been getting for attending NFL games to support her boyfriend, tight end Travis Kelce.

"I think it is so unfair how NFL fans have been complaining about the cameras cutting to Taylor Swift," he said. "Like she's been controlling the cameras at the games. Like just let her live. In fact tonight, on Taylor's behalf I'm going to give her a break. Every time they mention Taylor Swift, I'm going to get revenge. Every time someone says Taylor Swift, I'm going to cut the cameras to someone who played football, that's what I'll do!"

Production then cut to actor and former NFL defensive end and linebacker Terry Crews.

"Oh yeah, you like that Terry Crews," Noah said. "You better fix your face Terry! Yeah, we watching you all night Terry, no relaxing for you."

Noah talked about Swift's potentially historic win for album of the year. The "Midnights" singer is one of four artists who have won three times. The others are Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder.

"So if Taylor wins tonight," he said, "she will become the first artist ever to win album of the year four times. So we could see history made tonight."

Swift is nominated for six Grammys altogether.

Follow Bryan West, the USA TODAY Network's Taylor Swift reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @BryanWestTV.