Inside Kris Kristofferson and Taylor Swift's unlikely friendship as she branded him the 'best role model' - following iconic singer's death aged 88

The late Kris Kristofferson and Taylor Swift had an unlikely friendship after both found fame in country music before making it into the mainstream.

It comes after news broke that the 88-year-old 'peacefully' passed away surrounded by relatives at his home in Maui, Hawaii on Saturday.

Taylor, 34, declared Kris 'the best role model' with he proved himself a true Swiftie and described the star as an 'amazing song writer', according to Our Journal .

Both have been inducted into Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame and at a fundraiser for the venue in 2010 she Taylor full of praise for her pal.

Gushing over Kris and fellow singers Emmylou Harris and Vince Gill on stage she said: 'These are the best role models I could have!'.

He was also on hand to present Taylor with one of her four trophy's at the County Music Awards in 2009.

Going on to cement their friendship Kris even chose snap of the pair as his very first Instagram post back in 2022.

Writing: 'No better way to kick off Kris' official account than with this picture of him and at the "All For The Hall" concert benefit in 2010!'.

It comes as Barbra Streisand and Dolly Parton led the touching celebrity tributes following the announcement of Kris' death.

Honouring her A Star Is Born co-star , Streisand, 82, shared a nostalgic image of the album cover, released in 1976 along with the film, and a more recent photo of her and the country singer-songwriter and actor performing together.

Alongside the image, she recalled: 'The first time I saw Kris performing at the Troubadour club in L.A. I knew he was something special.

'Barefoot and strumming his guitar, he seemed like the perfect choice for a script I was developing, which eventually became A Star Is Born.'

'In the movie, Kris and I sang the song I'd written for the film's main love theme, 'Evergreen.'

'For my latest concert in 2019 at London's Hyde Park , I asked Kris to join me on-stage to sing our other A Star Is Born duet, "Lost Inside Of You." He was as charming as ever, and the audience showered him with applause. It was a joy seeing him receive the recognition and love he so richly deserved.'

She concluded her post by offering condolences to Kristofferson's family.

'My thoughts go to Kris' wife, Lisa who I know supported him in every way possible.'

Kristofferson played the role of troubled rocker John Norman Howard in the 1976 A Star Is Born remake opposite Streisand.

He won the Golden Globe in 1977 for his work in the film.

Dolly also wrote a touching tribute, taking to Instagram on Sunday, writing, 'What a great loss. What a great writer. What a great actor. What a great friend.'

'I will always love you, Dolly,' she concluded at the end, adding her signature, which features a butterfly graphic.

Dolly and Kris were longtime friends and collaborated on numerous duets, including the beloved songs From Here to the Moon and Back and Put It Off Until Tomorrow.

In 1982, the duo teamed up with Willie Nelson and Brenda Lee and released a compilation album called The Winning Hand.

The album later inspired a TV special, also called The Winning Hand, which aired in 1985 and was hosted by Johnny Cash.