Taylor Swift is a proud cat owner, caring for three adorable felines named Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button. Her devoted fanbase, known as Swifties, closely follows every aspect of her life, with her cats holding a particularly cherished spot in their hearts.
Aware of their popularity, Swift frequently shares photos and videos of her furry friends, even featuring them in music videos and commercials. At this point, each cat has practically established their own celebrity status.
In a 2019 interview with Time, Swift revealed that her love for cats played a major role in her decision to star in the musical adaptation of the renowned Broadway show, Cats. “I’m obsessed with them,” she explained.
“I’m obsessed with them,” Swift shared in a 2019 interview, explaining how her affection for cats influenced her career choices
“When the opportunity came up for a role in a movie called Cats, I felt compelled to participate. They possess a certain dignity and independence, capable of managing their own lives.”
Despite her busy travel schedule, Swift often brings her cats along unless she’s headed to a location with strict animal quarantine regulations. This means her feline companions are also seasoned travelers. Proof of this came on October 18, 2024, when Swift shared a video of Olivia accompanying her in Miami for her first Eras Tour concert.
Here’s a closer look at each of her beloved kitties, from Meredith to Olivia to the baby, Benjamin.
Meredith Grey
Meredith Grey takes her name from the iconic character played by Ellen Pompeo on the long-running television series Grey’s Anatomy. Unlike her namesake, this Meredith is a Scottish Fold who has been part of Swift’s life since 2011.
Known for their charming folded ears—resulting from a genetic mutation that affects cartilage growth—Scottish Folds can face some health issues, but Swift’s Meredith appears to be thriving.
With a fanbase rivaling Swift’s, Meredith has achieved fame in her own right. She even made a cameo appearance in the film Deadpool 2, where Ryan Reynolds sported a T-shirt featuring her image alongside Olivia, captioned “Olivia & Meredith Best Friends Purrrrr-Ever.”
Now nearing 13 years old, Meredith has settled into her middle-aged phase. Recently, she has been less visible on Swift’s Instagram, prompting the singer to address rumors in 2021 regarding Meredith’s well-being. In a lighthearted video featuring herself and Benjamin, Swift said, “There have been some internet rumors.
They’re not about you, Benj, but about your sister. The truth is, Meredith just despises having her photo taken.” Swift showcased some recent candid shots of Meredith and shared a video of the kitty darting away while Swift playfully interrogated her about the “missing cat” rumors.
Olivia Benson
Three years after Meredith, Swift welcomed another powerful feline into the family—Olivia Benson, named after the beloved character portrayed by Mariska Hargitay on Law & Order: SVU. Hargitay even had the pleasure of meeting her namesake; Swift shared a delightful video in 2015 of them interacting, stating, “This is Olivia Benson meeting Olivia Benson, and um, things are going well so far.”
In November 2023, Hargitay honored Swift by naming her own cat “Karma,” a nod to one of Swift’s popular songs. In her post, she wrote, “Karma is a Cat @taylorswift Meet Karma. My Cat.🐱 #MeAndKarmaVibeLikeThat #AndIKeepMySideOfMyPawClean #KarmaIsACat.” Swift responded enthusiastically, exclaiming, “Are you serious?!!!! Nothing has ever come more full circle ⭕️ LOVE THIS SO MUCH!! 😻”
Both Hargitay and Pompeo appeared in Swift’s “Bad Blood” music video as characters Justice and Luna, and they also made guest appearances during her 1989 concert tour.
While Olivia certainly had big shoes to fill, she has met the expectations just like Meredith. Both appeared in Swift’s “ME!” music video, and Olivia even featured in an outtake from a Diet Coke advertisement in 2017, showcasing her playful personality.
On October 18, Olivia marked her first appearance on the Eras Tour when Swift shared a video of them in Miami just before her performance. “Back in the office… 😎 #MiamiTSTheErasTour,” Swift wrote.
Benjamin Button
Benjamin Button became part of the family in 2019, taking his name from Brad Pitt’s character who ages backward—an ideal aspiration for pet owners hoping to preserve their pets’ youth. A Ragdoll by breed, Benjamin is known for his laid-back demeanor and love of cuddling.
Before officially joining Swift’s household, he had a brief stint as a star in the “ME!” music video. “He was just a cute kitten without a home,” Swift explained in an Instagram Live video with Panic! at the Disco’s Brendon Urie.
“There’s a group that tries to find homes for adorable kittens through commercials and events.” She recounted how, during filming, the handler handed her a tiny cat that immediately began purring, as if he recognized Swift as his future owner. “I looked at Brendon, and he said, ‘You’re going to get the cat, aren’t you?’”
In December 2021, Swift celebrated Benjamin’s birthday by highlighting that he was 22 in cat years, using the trending hashtag #ImFeeling22. Although he is the youngest, Benjamin has arguably eclipsed his sisters in fame, appearing on the cover of Time in December 2023 after his mother was honored as Person of the Year.
