All About Taylor Swift’s Cats: Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button

Taylor Swift is famous not only for her music but also for her undeniable love for her cats, Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button. These three furry companions have become part of her public identity, appearing in various aspects of her career, from social media posts to music videos and even magazine covers.

In 2024, Swift endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president using a photo from her TIME Person of the Year cover in 2023, which featured one of her beloved cats, Benjamin. Swift expressed her support for Harris’s policies and humorously signed the endorsement as “Childless Cat Lady.” This was a playful response to a remark made by Donald Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, about “childless cat ladies” in politics.

Swift’s love for her cats is well-documented, and her fans are fully aware of the bond she shares with them. Her trio of felines frequently appears on her social media platforms and even inspired moments in her music career. Swift’s holiday card in 2020, for example, included her cats decked out in winter-themed attire, reflecting the aesthetic of her folklore album.

How Taylor Swift’s Cats Shaped Her Career

Taylor Swift has admitted that her cats have had a significant influence on her career decisions. In 2019, she revealed in an interview with TIME that her deep affection for her cats led her to take on a role in the movie Cats. To prepare for the role, Swift even attended a “cat school” to fully embody her character.

Explaining her attachment to her cats, she once said, “They are dignified, independent, and very capable of handling their own lives,” highlighting why she admires them so much.

In addition to playing a role in Swift’s career choices, her passion for cats has led to positive impacts elsewhere. Ahead of her Eras Tour stop in Houston, a local animal shelter reduced cat adoption fees as a nod to Swift’s love for felines, naming the campaign “Lucky $13.”

Here’s a closer look at Taylor Swift’s cats:

Meredith Grey

Swift’s first famous cat is a Scottish Fold named Meredith Grey (yes, she is named after Meredith Grey of Grey’s Anatomy). The pop star got Meredith in 2011.

The kitten has always had a special place in Swift’s heart. “She is awesome. She’s, like, the most adorable cat in the world,” the singer said not long after bringing her home.

Their relationship, however, is not one-sided — Swift has a loyal fan in Meredith. In 2012, when her then-new single, “I Knew You Were Trouble,” was playing on the radio, Swift filmed Meredith meowing along to the song.

Meredith has made several appearances on Swift’s Instagram and is a bit of a star in her own right as well. Look closely throughout Deadpool 2 to spot Meredith: she appears in a t-shirt Ryan Reynolds’ character wears in the film, which shows Meredith and her sister Olivia Benson sitting side-by-side with the words, “Olivia & Meredith Best Friends Purrrrr-Ever.” The Scottish Fold also appeared in Swift’s “ME!” music video with Panic! At the Disco.

That said, Meredith might be Swift’s most reclusive cat. In 2020, Swift encouraged her fans to self-quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic with a cute photo of Meredith sitting in a toy, barely visible. In a tweet, the pop star wrote, “For Meredith, self quarantining is a way of life. Be like Meredith.”

In 2021, fans became concerned about Meredith when they realized they hadn’t seen many photos of her recently. Swift had to reassure everyone that the cat was fine — she just doesn’t like being the center of attention.

“We’ve been hearing some rumors on the internet recently,” Swift said in a video online, while holding her cat Benjamin Button. “I mean, they’re not about you, Benj, they’re about your sister.”

“The truth is, Meredith just hates having her picture taken,” she explained, displaying a few photos of the cat looking annoyed. Swift even included a clip of the cat running away as she confronted her with the “recent allegations” that she was a “missing cat.”

Olivia Benson

Swift brought her second cat, Olivia Benson, home in 2014. Olivia is another Scottish Fold named after a TV character — she gets her moniker from Mariska Hargitay’s character on Law & Order: SVU.

In 2015, Olivia even got the chance to meet her namesake. Swift shared a video of the white kitten cuddling up to Hargitay as she knelt down to feed her. “This is Olivia Benson meeting Olivia Benson, and um, things are going well so far,” she said in the video.

Like Meredith, Olivia is a bit of a star. She also appeared in Deadpool 2 and in the “ME!” music video. In 2017, Olivia had her own moment in the spotlight when she was featured in an outtake from an AT&T ad campaign with Swift. In the video, which Swift posted to her Instagram, the singer crawls across the floor and asks Olivia, “Are you a saber-toothed tiger cub? Are you my baby wolverine? Are you Princess of Meow Town? Are you just a melting snowman? Are you just a sloth? ‘Cause you’re just a little unicorn kitty cat!”

Olivia has also joined her mom in a Diet Coke ad. In the clip, Swift plays with the cat while she drinks a can of soda — but every time she takes a sip, more cats appear to surround Olivia.

Benjamin Button

Swift’s third cat, Benjamin Button, a Ragdoll, joined the family in 2019. Benjamin’s adoption story is particularly sweet: Swift met him on the set of her “ME!” music video, where he was part of a kitten adoption program. After holding Benjamin, Swift felt an instant connection and decided to take him home.

Benjamin’s adorable presence quickly won fans over, and he appeared with Swift on the cover of TIME magazine in 2023. Swift even used one of these images to endorse Kamala Harris for president, further cementing Benjamin’s place in pop culture.

In 2021, Swift made Benjamin a part of the viral #ImFeeling22 trend, posting a TikTok video in which she lip-synced to her hit song “22,” revealing that Benjamin was 22 in cat years.

Taylor Swift’s cats are not just pets—they’re an integral part of her life and career. From starring in music videos to accompanying her on magazine covers, Meredith, Olivia, and Benjamin have become beloved figures in their own right, adored by Swift’s fans worldwide. Their influence on Swift’s personal and professional life is undeniable, and their legacy continues to grow alongside her own.