Taylor Swift, the global music icon, isn’t just known for her chart-topping hits and record-breaking tours; she’s also famously a devoted cat lover. Her three feline companions, Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button, are practically celebrities in their own right, frequently stealing the spotlight on her social media, music videos, and even magazine covers. These aren’t just pets; they’re an integral part of Taylor Swift’s persona and a source of endless fascination for fans worldwide.
Swift’s affection for her cats is well-documented and often playful. She playfully signed off an Instagram post as “Childless Cat Lady,” a humorous nod to a political jab, further cementing her cat-lady image. This embrace of her feline family has resonated deeply with fans, making her even more relatable and endearing. Her cats have become a beloved aspect of her public identity, appearing in everything from holiday cards to high-profile endorsements.
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Taylor Swift playfully poses with all three of her cats, Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button, showcasing her deep affection for her feline family.
Beyond social media, Taylor Swift’s cats have even influenced her career decisions. She admitted to TIME in 2019 that her love for cats played a role in her taking a part in the movie Cats. This anecdote highlights just how interwoven her passion for felines is with her life and career. Her cats aren’t just background characters; they’re muses, companions, and a constant source of joy and inspiration.
Interestingly, Taylor Swift’s “cat lady” status has even had a positive impact on animal welfare. Ahead of her Eras Tour stop in Houston, a local animal shelter celebrated her passion by reducing cat adoption fees, demonstrating the real-world influence of her feline enthusiasm. This “Lucky $13” adoption program, inspired by Swift, underscores how her public love for cats can translate into tangible benefits for animal shelters and aspiring pet owners.
Let’s delve into the details of each of Taylor Swift’s cherished cats, exploring their personalities, their rise to fame, and their unique contributions to the Taylor Swift narrative.
Meredith Grey
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Taylor Swift affectionately holds her Scottish Fold cat, Meredith Grey, named after the iconic character from Grey’s Anatomy.
Meredith Grey, a Scottish Fold named after the iconic Grey’s Anatomy character, was the first cat to join Taylor Swift’s family in 2011. From the moment Swift brought her home, Meredith held a special place in her heart. Swift described her early on as “the most adorable cat in the world,” and this adoration has only grown over the years.
Meredith’s fame extends beyond just being Taylor Swift’s pet. She’s made appearances on Swift’s Instagram, showcasing a personality that is both endearing and, at times, hilariously reclusive. One memorable instance captured Meredith seemingly “meowing” along to Swift’s song “I Knew You Were Trouble,” highlighting the playful bond between owner and pet.
Meredith even boasts a surprising cameo in Deadpool 2. Ryan Reynolds, a friend of Swift, included a t-shirt in the movie featuring Meredith and Olivia Benson with the phrase “Olivia & Meredith Best Friends Purrrrr-Ever.” This quirky appearance in a major film further solidified Meredith’s status as a celebrity cat. She also graced the screen in Swift’s “ME!” music video, adding to her impressive resume.
Despite her fame, Meredith is often described as the most private of Swift’s cats. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Swift shared a relatable post encouraging self-quarantine with a photo of a barely visible Meredith hiding in a toy, captioning it, “For Meredith, self quarantining is a way of life. Be like Meredith.”
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Taylor Swift playfully interacts with Meredith Grey, addressing fan concerns about the cat’s privacy and confirming she is simply camera-shy.
In 2021, fans’ concerns about Meredith’s lack of recent appearances led Swift to reassure everyone that she was perfectly fine, just camera-shy. In a humorous video featuring Benjamin Button, Swift addressed the “rumors” and showed photos of Meredith looking less than thrilled to be photographed, confirming her preference for privacy despite her celebrity status.
Olivia Benson
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Taylor Swift lovingly gazes at Olivia Benson, her second Scottish Fold cat, named after Mariska Hargitay’s iconic Law & Order: SVU character.
Olivia Benson, another Scottish Fold, joined Taylor Swift’s feline family in 2014. Named after Mariska Hargitay’s iconic Law & Order: SVU character, Olivia Benson the cat has lived up to her namesake’s star power.
One of Olivia’s most charming moments was meeting her human namesake, Mariska Hargitay, in 2015. Swift shared a video of the adorable encounter, showing the kitten cuddling with Hargitay, creating a delightful “Olivia Benson squared” moment for fans.
Like Meredith, Olivia has also graced Deadpool 2 with her image on the same t-shirt and appeared in the “ME!” music video. In 2017, Olivia starred in an outtake from a Diet Coke ad campaign with Swift, showcasing her playful side as Swift playfully referred to her as everything from a “saber-toothed tiger cub” to the “Princess of Meow Town.”
Olivia has also starred in a Diet Coke commercial alongside Swift, where her presence comically multiplies with each sip Swift takes, highlighting her on-screen charisma.
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Taylor Swift poses with Olivia Benson and Benjamin Button alongside Paula Abdul, a memorable encounter at the Billboard Music Awards.
In 2019, Olivia and Benjamin accompanied Swift to the Billboard Music Awards, where they had a memorable run-in with Paula Abdul. The encounter, captured in a photo Swift shared, was particularly funny as Paula Abdul later revealed she’s actually allergic to cats! This anecdote further adds to Olivia’s celebrity cat mystique.
Most recently, in October 2024, Olivia appeared in an Instagram video celebrating the final leg of the Eras Tour, once again proving her consistent presence in Swift’s life and career.
Benjamin Button
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Taylor Swift holds Benjamin Button, a Ragdoll cat named after Brad Pitt’s character, highlighting his gentle and affectionate nature.
Benjamin Button, a Ragdoll cat named after Brad Pitt’s character from the movie of the same name, is the newest addition to Taylor Swift’s cat family, joining in 2019. His adoption story is particularly heartwarming, starting on the set of Swift’s “ME!” music video.
Benjamin was part of a program that placed kittens in commercials for adoption purposes. Swift recounted in an Instagram Live video how she fell in love with Benjamin when the handler asked her to hold him before a scene. “He just starts purring and … he looks at me like, ‘You’re my mom, and we’re going to live together,'” Swift described, highlighting the instant connection.
Just days after filming the music video, Swift officially introduced Benjamin to the world on Instagram, completing her trio of feline companions.
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Taylor Swift lovingly cradles Benjamin Button, showcasing the close bond they share since his adoption.
Benjamin has quickly become a prominent figure in Swift’s social media presence. In December 2021, he participated in the viral “#ImFeeling22” trend, with Swift jokingly captioning a TikTok video, “Benjamin is 22 in cat years. #ImFeeling22.”
Benjamin achieved peak celebrity cat status when he joined Taylor Swift on the cover of TIME’s Person of the Year issue in December 2023. Resting gracefully on Swift’s shoulders, Benjamin looked every bit the seasoned cover model. Swift playfully captioned an Instagram post about it: “Time Magazine: We’d like to name you Person of the Yea- / Me: Can I bring my cat.”
In September 2024, a photo from this TIME photoshoot was used again when Swift endorsed Kamala Harris for president, proving Benjamin’s continued role in even Swift’s significant public announcements.
Taylor Swift’s cats are more than just pets; they are family, collaborators, and a constant source of joy for both her and her fans. Meredith, Olivia, and Benjamin have become integral to the Taylor Swift brand, showcasing her down-to-earth personality and genuine love for animals. Their ongoing appearances in her life ensure they will remain beloved figures in the Swiftie universe for years to come.
