Taylor Swift Reveals Hilarious Behind-the-Scenes Secrets From Her “Opalite” Music Video Shoot
Taylor Swift is giving fans an inside look at one of her most playful and star-packed music videos yet. One week after premiering her vibrant ’90s-inspired visual for “Opalite,” the global pop icon returned to social media with extended behind-the-scenes footage and candid photos from the unforgettable shoot.
And according to Swift, it is a memory she never wants to lose.
Here is everything that went down on set, how the idea was born, and why “Opalite” is already becoming one of the most talked-about videos from her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl.
Taylor Swift Shares Extended Behind-the-Scenes Footage
On February 13, just days after the official release of “Opalite,” Swift took to Instagram to share extra content from the set. The singer posted a series of hilarious photos and two extended video versions that dive deeper into the making of the project.
In her caption, she wrote, “I never want to forget a single detail of this hysterical shoot, and now I don’t have to!” She also told fans she was excited to share “two extended versions full of dance lessoning, our phenomenal cameos, camcorder footage, gigantic scrunchies & fanny pack angles!”
The added clips include dance rehearsals, backstage laughter, and spontaneous moments between takes. It is clear from the footage that the energy on set was lighthearted and full of genuine fun.
The Star-Studded Cast of “Opalite”
The “Opalite” video features an impressive lineup of celebrity appearances. Alongside Swift, the video stars Domhnall Gleeson, Lewis Capaldi, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Graham Norton. Fans were also treated to a surprise cameo from Cillian Murphy.
Swift shared that the idea for this unexpected collaboration came while she was a guest on The Graham Norton Show on October 3, 2025, the same day her album dropped. She recalled how special that particular lineup felt.
She wrote, “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.”
She continued, “I was a guest on one of my favorite shows, @TheGrahamNortonShowOfficial… I remember thinking I got ridiculously lucky with the group I was paired with. Cillian Murphy, Domhnall Gleeson, Greta Lee, @JodieSmith, and @LewisCapaldi. All people whose work I’ve admired from afar.”
During the broadcast, Domhnall Gleeson jokingly mentioned he wanted to appear in one of her music videos. Swift’s reaction was instant inspiration.
“When we were all talking during the broadcast, Domhnall made a light-hearted joke about wanting to be in one of my music videos. He’s Irish! He was joking! Except that in that moment during the interview, I was instantly struck with an idea,” she explained.
Swift said she imagined it like a fun group project. “I thought it would be fun if all her co-guests worked together on her new video like a school group project, but for adults, and it isn’t mandatory.”
Inside the 90s-Inspired Concept
The “Opalite” music video leans heavily into playful 90s nostalgia. It opens with a fictional commercial for an “Opalite” spray that promises to transform your problems and turn “crappiness into happiness.” Later in the video, Graham Norton appears as a salesman promoting a rival product called Nope Alite, which claims to reverse the effects of Opalite.
Behind-the-scenes photos show Swift, Gleeson, and Norton reacting dramatically while reviewing footage on an iPad with cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, who shot the video. The exaggerated facial expressions perfectly capture the comedic tone of the project.
Other images reveal Swift and Gleeson in matching sequin tracksuits rehearsing their dance routine. The duo filmed a memorable escalator scene inside a real abandoned mall in Croydon, England. The location was completely transformed into a colorful, retro wonderland for the shoot.
Swift was also hands-on with the creative details. She designed the cootie catcher prop featured in the video and was seen laughing uncontrollably with Gleeson between takes. In one playful moment from the photo shoot scene, they posed like bunnies alongside Prieto.
Dance Lessons, Camcorders, and Giant Scrunchies
Swift shared even more candid footage through her Instagram Stories. In one clip, she holds a camcorder and films herself in a mirror while dressed in brown hair styled with a yellow scrunchie and an old-fashioned nightgown.
“All right, so we are on set for the ‘Opalite’ music video,” she says in the clip. “Honestly, my best look ever,” she adds as she zooms in on her outfit.
The behind-the-scenes video also captures her excitement about learning the choreography. At one point, she asks, “Okay, so I’m dance lessoning?” When someone confirms, she responds with an enthusiastic “Yes!” before heading to the stage to rehearse.
Much like her previous visual for “The Fate of Ophelia,” Swift once again brought in several of her Eras Tour dancers to help bring the choreography to life.
The Second Music Video From The Life of a Showgirl
“Opalite” marks the second official music video from Swift’s 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl. The project continues to showcase her ability to blend storytelling, humor, and heartfelt creativity in a way that feels both polished and personal.
From spontaneous talk show inspiration to a full-blown celebrity collaboration, the journey of “Opalite” highlights Swift’s instinct for turning small moments into major artistic statements.
Fans are clearly loving the extended content, and with its nostalgic aesthetic, celebrity cameos, and playful concept, “Opalite” is quickly becoming a standout chapter in the ever-evolving world of Taylor Swift.
And if the behind-the-scenes footage proves anything, it is that sometimes the most magical ideas really do start with a simple joke and a spark of imagination.
Summary:
- Taylor Swift shared extended behind-the-scenes footage from her “Opalite” music video on February 13.
- She posted candid photos and two longer video versions featuring dance rehearsals, camcorder clips, and hilarious on-set moments.
- Swift wrote, “I never want to forget a single detail of this hysterical shoot, and now I don’t have to!”
- The idea for the video came to her during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show on October 3, 2025.
- Domhnall Gleeson jokingly said he wanted to star in a Taylor Swift music video, which sparked Swift’s creative concept.
- The video features celebrity appearances from Domhnall Gleeson, Lewis Capaldi, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner Smith, Graham Norton, and a surprise cameo by Cillian Murphy.
- “Opalite” has a playful 90s-inspired theme and opens with a fictional commercial for a spray that promises to fix people’s problems.
- A rival product called Nope Alite adds to the surreal and comedic storyline.
- The mall scenes were filmed in a real abandoned mall in Croydon, England, which was transformed for the shoot.
- Swift also shared clips of herself learning choreography and filming with a camcorder on set.
- “Opalite” is the second music video from her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl, following “The Fate of Ophelia.”
