Olivia Benson (cat)
{{Short description|Taylor Swift's cat}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox animal
| breed = Scottish Fold
| name = Olivia Benson
| species = Cat
| birth_date = January 23, 2014
| owner = Taylor Swift
| namedafter = Olivia Benson
| image =
| caption =
| othername = Dibbles
}}
Olivia Benson is a Scottish Fold cat owned by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. She was adopted in June 2014 and named after the Law & Order character. Olivia has since appeared in Swift's music videos for "Blank Space" (2014), "Me!" (2019), and "Karma" (2023), and the documentary film Miss Americana (2020).
Olivia has starred in the brand commercials of Keds, Diet Coke, AT&T and DirecTV, and is the logo of Taylor Swift Productions, Swift's in-house visual media studio. Often appearing in Swift's Instagram posts, Olivia contributed to an increased popularity of Scottish Folds among the public. Comparethemarket.com estimated Olivia's net worth at US$97 million in 2018, making her the second-richest cat in the world, behind the late Grumpy Cat. Films like Deadpool 2 (2018) and Argylle (2024) featured references to Olivia.
Early life
Olivia Benson was purchased by Swift in June 2014 as a kitten. She has osteochondrodysplasia,{{Cite web |date=2014-10-12 |title=John Cleese: 'Taylor Swift's cat is the weirdest thing I've ever seen' |url=https://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-features/john-cleese-taylor-swifts-cat-is-the-weirdest-thing-ive-ever-seen/30657419.html |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=Independent.ie |language=en |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715153853/https://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-features/john-cleese-taylor-swifts-cat-is-the-weirdest-thing-ive-ever-seen/30657419.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite journal |last1=Suzuki |first1=H. |last2=Fukaya |first2=S. |last3=Saito |first3=K. |last4=Suzuki |first4=K. |date=June 2000 |title=A locus responsible for osteochondrodysplasia (ocd) is located on rat chromosome 11 |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10818212/ |journal=Mammalian Genome |volume=11 |issue=6 |pages=464–465 |doi=10.1007/s003350010088 |issn=0938-8990 |pmid=10818212 |s2cid=37292100 |access-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715153853/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10818212/ |url-status=live }} a painful degenerative joint disease, which affects all Scottish Fold cats.{{cite web |title=Scottish Fold Disease - International Cat Care |url=https://icatcare.org/advice/scottish-fold-disease-osteochondrodysplasia/ |website=Scottish Fold disease – osteochondrodysplasia |publisher=International Cat Care |access-date=12 December 2023 |archive-date=February 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215093550/https://icatcare.org/advice/scottish-fold-disease-osteochondrodysplasia/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/24/taylor-swift-cats-have-condition-that-causes-constant-pain-say-experts-scottish-fold|title=Taylor Swift's cats have condition that causes constant pain, say experts|last=Addley|first=Esther|date=24 May 2024|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=June 8, 2024|archive-date=June 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608220652/https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/24/taylor-swift-cats-have-condition-that-causes-constant-pain-say-experts-scottish-fold|url-status=live}} Olivia, like Swift's two other cats, is named after a fictional character, taking after Olivia Benson, the main protagonist of American crime drama series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit played by Mariska Hargitay.{{Cite web |date=2015-03-16 |title=Taylor Swift's cat, Meredith, owes her $40 million |url=https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/taylor-swift-kitten-instagram-picture-olivia-benson |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=Glamour UK |language=en-GB |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715155355/https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/taylor-swift-kitten-instagram-picture-olivia-benson |url-status=live }} Swift's eldest cat, Meredith Grey, is another Scottish Fold, named after the Grey's Anatomy character, and the youngest cat is Benjamin Button, a Ragdoll named after the titular character of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.{{Cite web |last= |title=Taylor Swift's Cats: All About Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson and Benjamin Button |url=https://people.com/pets/all-about-taylor-swift-cats/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=Peoplemag |language=en |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715153853/https://people.com/pets/all-about-taylor-swift-cats/ |url-status=live }} Meredith and Olivia's names, Swift told Rolling Stone in September 2014, were themed after "strong, complex, independent women".{{Cite magazine |last=Eells |first=Josh |date=2014-09-08 |title=Cover Story: The Reinvention of Taylor Swift |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-reinvention-of-taylor-swift-116925/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=August 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816144402/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-reinvention-of-taylor-swift-116925/ |url-status=live }} In September 2014, Swift was pictured carrying Olivia around the streets of New York City; Swift noted that this was due to Olivia's inability to cope with being in a cat carrier.{{Cite web |date=2014-09-26 |title=Taylor Swift Explains Why She Carries Cat Olivia Benson Around New York City! |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/583118/taylor-swift-explains-why-she-carries-cat-olivia-benson-around-new-york |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=E! Online |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715153852/https://www.eonline.com/news/583118/taylor-swift-explains-why-she-carries-cat-olivia-benson-around-new-york |url-status=live }}
Career
In October 2014, Keds released an advertising campaign featuring Olivia for their "Sneaky Cat" shoes, which featured Swift's birthday on the back, to promote Swift's album 1989.{{Cite magazine |date=2014-10-02 |title=Taylor Swift's Cat, Olivia Benson, is a Shoe Model |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/10/taylor-swift-cat-shoe-model |access-date=2023-07-15 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531165454/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/10/taylor-swift-cat-shoe-model |url-status=live }} Later that month, Olivia featured in a Diet Coke commercial in which Swift drank Diet Coke as more and more kittens appeared with every sip.
In November 2014, Olivia appeared in a Swift music video ("Blank Space") for the first time.{{Cite web |title=The BEST Moments From Taylor's 'Blank Space' Video |url=https://www.bigtop40.com/features/best-taylor-swift-blank-space-moments/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=BigTop40 |language=en |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715153854/https://www.bigtop40.com/features/best-taylor-swift-blank-space-moments/ |url-status=live }} In 2015, Olivia met American actress Mariska Hargitay, who played the Olivia Benson character in Law & Order.{{Cite web |date=2015-06-14 |title=Swift's cat Olivia Benson meets her namesake |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/fun/a652818/olivia-benson-meet-olivia-benson-taylor-swift-introduces-her-cat-to-mariska-hargitay/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715155355/https://www.digitalspy.com/fun/a652818/olivia-benson-meet-olivia-benson-taylor-swift-introduces-her-cat-to-mariska-hargitay/ |url-status=live }} In 2017, Ed Sheeran bought his own Scottish Fold,{{Cite web |title=Ed Sheeran Is Taking A Page From Taylor Swift's Cat-Crazy Playbook |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/hfcn8b/ed-sheeran-taylor-swift-scottish-fold-cats |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=MTV |language=en |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715153853/https://www.mtv.com/news/hfcn8b/ed-sheeran-taylor-swift-scottish-fold-cats |url-status=dead }} Calippo,{{Cite web |date=2017-10-23 |title=Breeders of designer pets such as Ed Sheeran's Scottish fold cat could face prosecution |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21527063.breeders-designer-pets-ed-sheerans-scottish-fold-cat-face-prosecution/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=East Anglian Daily Times |language=en |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824193945/https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21527063.breeders-designer-pets-ed-sheerans-scottish-fold-cat-face-prosecution/ |url-status=live }} to match Swift's cats.{{Cite web |date=2017-03-07 |title=Ed Sheeran: I will always stick up for my friend Taylor Swift |url=https://www.halesowennews.co.uk/leisure/showbiz/15139945.ed-sheeran-i-will-always-stick-up-for-my-friend-taylor-swift/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=Halesowen News |language=en |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715153853/https://www.halesowennews.co.uk/leisure/showbiz/15139945.ed-sheeran-i-will-always-stick-up-for-my-friend-taylor-swift/ |url-status=live }} Increased interest in the breed as a result of Swift and Sheeran posting them to their Instagram accounts prompted the British Veterinary Association to call for a ban on the breed and for Veterinary Record to review its use in adverts.{{Cite news |date=2017-04-26 |title=Should Scottish fold cats be banned? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-39717634 |access-date=2023-07-15 |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715153853/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-39717634 |url-status=live }} Later that year, Olivia appeared in an outtake of an AT&T commercial, and the following year she appeared in a DirecTV commercial in which Swift rode a giant "caticorn" version of Olivia.{{NoteTag|Half cat, half unicorn.}}{{Cite web |last= |title=Taylor Swift Goes on a 'Caticorn' Adventure Days Before Kicking Off Reputation Stadium Tour |url=https://people.com/music/taylor-swift-cat-olivia-adventure-commercial/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=Peoplemag |language=en |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715153853/https://people.com/music/taylor-swift-cat-olivia-adventure-commercial/ |url-status=live }}
In 2018, Comparethemarket.com announced their Pet Rich List, which valued Olivia at $97,000,000, making her the world's second-richest cat, behind Grumpy Cat.{{Cite web |date=2018-08-12 |title=Pet Rich List 2018 reveals the wealthiest pets in the world |url=https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/pets/a22695481/pet-rich-list-2018-wealthiest-pets-in-world/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=Country Living |language=en-GB |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715155356/https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/pets/a22695481/pet-rich-list-2018-wealthiest-pets-in-world/ |url-status=live }} In April 2019, Olivia and Meredith appeared in Swift's "Me!" music video, along with Benjamin,{{Cite web |date=2019-04-26 |title=TayTay's cats made a guest appearance in the new music video for ME! |url=https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/celebrities/taylor-siwft-cats-names-breed/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=Heart |language=en |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715153853/https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/celebrities/taylor-siwft-cats-names-breed/ |url-status=live }} who Swift subsequently adopted.{{Cite web |last=Kiefer |first=Halle |date=2019-04-26 |title=The True Star of Taylor Swift's 'ME!' Video? Benjamin Button. |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/04/taylor-swift-new-kitten-benjamin-button-starred-in-me-video.html |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=Vulture |language=en-us |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715153853/https://www.vulture.com/2019/04/taylor-swift-new-kitten-benjamin-button-starred-in-me-video.html |url-status=live }} The cats also appeared in Miss Americana, Swift's 2020 autobiographical documentary film.{{Cite magazine |last=Stern |first=Marlow |date=2024-01-16 |title='Argylle' Director Shoots Down Taylor Swift Conspiracy Theory |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/argylle-director-matthew-vaughn-taylor-swift-conspiracy-theory-cat-spy-novel-1234947163/ |access-date=2024-01-16 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124230257/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/argylle-director-matthew-vaughn-taylor-swift-conspiracy-theory-cat-spy-novel-1234947163/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |date=2023-10-24 |title=No, Taylor Swift Is Not Secretly Behind Upcoming Spy Movie Argylle |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/10/fans-are-sure-taylor-swift-is-secretly-behind-upcoming-spy-movie-argylle |access-date=2024-01-16 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226094655/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/10/fans-are-sure-taylor-swift-is-secretly-behind-upcoming-spy-movie-argylle |url-status=live }} In May 2023, a sleeping Olivia featured in the music video for Swift's "Karma".{{Cite web |title=The hidden meaning behind Taylor Swift's 'Karma' music video |url=https://www.capitalfm.com/news/music/taylor-swifts-karma-music-video-easter-eggs/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=Capital |language=en |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715153853/https://www.capitalfm.com/news/music/taylor-swifts-karma-music-video-easter-eggs/ |url-status=live }}
= In popular culture =
- In 2014, Swift appeared on The Graham Norton Show with English comedian John Cleese and cricketer Kevin Pietersen; Cleese called Olivia as "the weirdest cat I've ever seen in my life",{{Cite web |date=2014-10-13 |title='That's The Weirdest Cat I've Ever Seen In My Life': John Cleese Insults Taylor Swift's Pussy On The Graham Norton Show |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/10/13/taylor-swift-john-cleese-cat-graham-norton_n_5976508.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715153852/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/10/13/taylor-swift-john-cleese-cat-graham-norton_n_5976508.html |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=HuffPost UK |language=en}} prompting a scolding from Norton.
- In 2015, Swift shared a video online which showed Olivia interacting with American actress Mariska Hargitay, who plays the Law & Order character.{{Cite web |last=Booth |first=Jessica |date=April 21, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift's Cats: All About Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson and Benjamin Button |url=https://people.com/pets/all-about-taylor-swift-cats/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=People |language=en |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715153853/https://people.com/pets/all-about-taylor-swift-cats/ |url-status=live }}
- Olivia is the logo of Swift's in-house visual production company, Taylor Swift Productions.{{Cite web |date=2018-12-31 |title=9 Things You Might Have Missed in Taylor Swift's Netflix Concert Film |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1000340/9-things-you-might-have-missed-in-taylor-swift-s-netflix-concert-film |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=E! Online |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322172013/https://www.eonline.com/news/1000340/9-things-you-might-have-missed-in-taylor-swift-s-netflix-concert-film |url-status=live }}
- In a scene in the 2018 superhero film Deadpool 2, the lead character Wade Wilson is seen wearing a t-shirt bearing images of Olivia and Meredith.{{Cite web |last=Gibson |first=Kelsie |date=2018-05-22 |title=Taylor Swift's Famous Cats Have a "Purrfect" Cameo in Deadpool 2 — Did You Catch It? |url=https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/taylor-swift-cats-olivia-meredith-deadpool-2-44870029 |access-date=2023-10-07 |website=Popsugar |language=en |archive-date=October 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024095837/https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/taylor-swift-cats-olivia-meredith-deadpool-2-44870029 |url-status=live }}
- Olivia influenced some aspects of the spy film Argylle (2024), directed by Matthew Vaughn; one of the film's official posters was inspired by a shot of Olivia in a cat carrier from Miss Americana.
Awards and nominations
See also
Notes
{{reflist|group=note}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Taylor Swift}}
{{Law & Order: Special Victims Unit}}
Category:Individual cats in the United States