Taylor Swift shares BTS story of 'Opalite' music video, revealing star-studded inspiration

Swift called experience 'an absolute thrill' that allowed her to 'make new friends, metaphors, and fashion choices'

With the release of her new music video for “Opalite,” Taylor Swift has given fans a rare look at the creative spark behind one of her most playful and nostalgic visuals yet. In a note shared on X, Swift detailed how the idea for the video came to her during a 2025 appearance on the UK late-night show The Graham Norton Show.

Swift explained that while filming a segment with actors Cillian Murphy, Domhnall Gleeson, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, and singer Lewis Capaldi, a lighthearted joke from Gleeson about wanting to star in one of her videos sparked a full-blown idea. Within a week, Gleeson had received a script from Swift, in which he was cast as the lead, alongside her fellow Graham Norton guests, including Norton himself, in a colorful, ’90s-inspired narrative.

“I had this thought that it would be wild if all of our fellow guests on the Graham Norton show that night… could be a part of it too,” Swift wrote. “To my delight, everyone from the show made the effort to time travel back to the ’90s with us and help with this video.”

My favorite part about writing is that first spark of an idea. It can happen at any time, for any reason. The idea for the Opalite music video crash landed into my imagination when I was doing promo for The Life of a Showgirl. I was a guest on one of my favorite shows,… pic.twitter.com/UMt519KFSS

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) February 6, 2026

The video stars Gleeson as a charming character whose path intersects with Swift’s, while other guest stars take on quirky supporting roles, from retro aerobics instructors to mall photographers. Shot on film and bursting with neon fashion, VHS-style visuals, and playful metaphors, the video reflects both Swift’s humor and her signature attention to detail.

Swift credited her cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto for helping bring the concept to life, calling the experience “an absolute thrill” that allowed her to “make new friends, metaphors, and fashion choices.”

The Opalite music video is now available on Spotify and Apple Music, giving fans a visual feast that combines nostalgia, celebrity cameos, and Swift’s inventive storytelling.