Honestly, if you're even a casual fan of Taylor Swift, you know her life is basically a high-budget feline documentary. While Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson might be the "O.G." sisters with the sharp attitudes to match, there’s something different about the boy of the house. Benjamin Button, Taylor Swift's third cat, didn't just walk into her life; he basically auditioned for the role of her soulmate on a music video set.
It was 2019. Taylor was filming the pastel-soaked "ME!" music video with Brendon Urie. If you watch the video, there’s a scene where Brendon tries to win her over with a ring, then flowers, and finally, a tiny, blue-eyed kitten. That wasn't just a prop. That was Benji.
How a Music Video Prop Became a Global Superstar
Most people think celebrities have "people" who go out and source designer pets from exclusive breeders. That’s not how it went down with the Benjamin Button Taylor Swift cat origin story. He was actually part of a program that brought "actor" kittens to sets in hopes of getting them adopted. Talk about a successful career move.
During the behind-the-scenes footage, you can literally see the moment Taylor’s heart melts. She’s holding this tiny fluffball, and the handler says something like, "He's a purr box." Taylor asks if she can have him. The handler says he’s available.
Game over.
Since then, he’s gone from a homeless kitten on a soundstage to literally appearing on the cover of Time Magazine. When Taylor was named Person of the Year in 2023, she didn't pose with a trophy or a guitar. She posed with Benjamin draped over her shoulders like a living, breathing scarf. It was the "Purrson of the Year" moment heard 'round the world.
What Kind of Cat is Benjamin Button, Anyway?
Unlike his sisters Meredith and Olivia, who are Scottish Folds, Benjamin is a Ragdoll. If you aren’t a cat nerd, here is the breakdown of why that matters. Ragdolls are famously "dog-like." They follow you from room to room. They don't just tolerate being held; they live for it.
Ragdoll Personality 101
- The Name: They are called Ragdolls because they literally go limp when you pick them up.
- The Look: Benjamin is a Seal Bi-color. This means he has those dark ears and face markings but with a white "V" on his forehead and white paws.
- The Vibe: Chill. Extremely chill.
Taylor has mentioned in interviews that Benjamin prefers to be carried like a human baby. You've probably seen the videos—she’s walking around her house or backstage, and he’s just hanging there, totally content, staring at the camera with those massive blue eyes.
The "Purr-sonality" Conflict: Meredith vs. Olivia vs. Benjamin
Living in the Swift household isn't all glamor and expensive treats. There is a hierarchy.
Meredith Grey is the elusive queen. She hates the camera. She's rarely seen, and when she is, she looks like she’s judging your entire lineage. Then you have Olivia Benson, the "socialite" who is worth an estimated $97 million (yes, seriously) thanks to her commercial work.
And then there’s Benjamin.
He's the baby. He’s the one who gets carried around. He’s the one who made it onto the Time cover because, as Taylor joked, the magazine asked her to be Person of the Year and she asked if she could bring her cat.
There's a funny dynamic here. Taylor once shared a story on the New Heights podcast about how Jason Kelce (Travis's brother) told his kids that Taylor's cats were poisonous. She had to use Benjamin to prove him wrong because he’s the only one docile enough to be handed to a toddler without the risk of a "Meredith-style" swat.
Why Benjamin Button is the Internet's Favorite
Social media loves a "rags to riches" story. Even if the "rags" were just a temporary stay with a kitten adoption agency on a million-dollar music video set.
People connect with him because he represents that impulsive "I need this animal" feeling we've all had. You see a cat at a shelter or a window, and suddenly your life plan changes. For Taylor, it was right in the middle of a massive "Lover" era rollout.
What Most People Get Wrong About Benji
A common misconception is that he was a gift from Brendon Urie. While Brendon hands him to her in the music video, he didn't buy the cat. Taylor did the paperwork herself right there on the set.
Another thing? His name. While Meredith and Olivia are named after TV doctors (Grey's Anatomy and Law & Order: SVU), Benjamin is named after the Brad Pitt movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The joke is that he looks like a little old man who is aging backward.
Honestly, it fits. He has this wise, slightly confused look on his face that makes him look like a Victorian grandfather trapped in a fluffy body.
Actionable Lessons for Future Cat Owners
If you're looking at the Benjamin Button Taylor Swift cat and thinking you need a Ragdoll in your life, there are a few things you should know first:
👉 See also: Why Most Inappropriate Red Carpet Dresses Still Define Pop Culture Decades Later
- Grooming is a full-time job. That "silky" fur isn't self-maintaining. You're going to be brushing them daily unless you want your house to be 40% cat hair.
- They are needy. If you want a cat that ignores you, do not get a Ragdoll. They will sit on your keyboard. They will sleep on your face.
- Adoption over Everything. Even Taylor, with all her money, found her favorite companion through a rescue/adoption program on set. Check your local shelters; the "purr boxes" are everywhere.
The reality is that Benjamin is more than just a pet; he’s a member of the creative team at this point. He travels on private jets, he stars in presidential endorsements (remember the 2024 "Childless Cat Lady" post?), and he handles fame better than most humans.
Next time you see a "prop" on a screen, just remember—it might just end up on the cover of a magazine a few years later.
To keep up with Benjamin's latest antics, you'll want to keep a close eye on Taylor's rare but high-quality "cat content" dumps on Instagram, as he’s usually the one found lounging in the background of her songwriting sessions.