Key Points
- Gleeson called appearing in Swift’s "Opalite" video an unexpected bucket-list moment.
- The cameo stemmed from a Graham Norton joke, inspiring Swift’s infomercial-style concept.
- He praised the dance-heavy shoot at the Oscars, while his film earned an animated short nomination.
Why They're In The News
DOMHNALL Gleeson had one of the more unexpected pop culture crossovers of the year, and he’s loving it.
While speaking on the 2026 Oscars red carpet, the actor opened up about appearing alongside Taylor Swift in her February music video for “Opalite,” calling the experience an exciting and unforgettable surprise.
Gleeson said that dancing with Swift in the video was never something he imagined for himself, joking that he had “no business” being in a Taylor Swift music video.
Still, he shared that the project quickly became a special career highlight, especially after realising it fulfilled a bucket-list item he didn’t even know he had, according to E Online.
The collaboration reportedly grew out of a playful moment on The Graham Norton Show in October, when Gleeson joked about wanting to appear in one of Swift’s videos.
Swift later revealed that the comment sparked an idea for the infomercial-inspired “Opalite” visual.
She brought together several fellow Graham Norton guests for the project, including Greta Lee, Lewis Capaldi, Jodie Turner-Smith and Graham Norton.
At the Oscars, Gleeson reflected warmly on the experience and praised the chance to be part of such a fun dance-heavy production.
His appearance in the video added another memorable moment to a busy awards season, where his film “Retirement Plan” was also in the spotlight with a nomination for Best Animated Short Film.
For pop fans, the “Opalite” video has become an especially charming example of Swift turning a casual talk show moment into a starry, playful collaboration.
Why This Matters
Gleeson's surprise cameo underscores Taylor Swift's cultural influence and the increasing crossover between film and pop, converting casual talk-show banter into viral, starry moments that amplify visibility for both artists and projects.
