Lewis Capaldi Expresses Gratitude to Taylor Swift for Opalite Video Role
Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi has publicly thanked global pop superstar Taylor Swift for casting him in her latest music video for the track Opalite. The 29-year-old musician took to Instagram on Saturday to share a series of images from the video production, captioning the post with heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity.
Star-Studded Video Features Entire Graham Norton Show Lineup
The newly released music video, which premiered on Friday, features a remarkable ensemble cast comprising every celebrity guest who appeared alongside Taylor Swift during her October appearance on BBC1's The Graham Norton Show. This includes not only Lewis Capaldi but also Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson, acclaimed performers Cillian Murphy, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Greta Lee, along with the show's host Graham Norton himself.
The video's concept originated during that very television appearance, when Domhnall Gleeson made a lighthearted comment about his desire to feature in one of Taylor Swift's music videos. The 36-year-old singer-songwriter revealed on Instagram that this casual remark sparked immediate inspiration, leading to the creation of the Opalite video narrative.
Nineties-Themed Narrative and Character Roles
The Opalite music video presents a nostalgic 1990s aesthetic, with Domhnall Gleeson, 42, portraying Taylor Swift's love interest in the storyline. The plot initially follows their characters' unconventional relationships—Gleeson's character with a cactus and Swift's with a rock—before their eventual meeting facilitated by a magical spray bottle labeled Opalite.
Lewis Capaldi assumes the role of a photographer within the video, capturing moments between Swift and Gleeson's characters. Other cast members fill distinctive roles: Graham Norton appears promoting an alternative spray product, Cillian Murphy features in an Opalite advertisement, while actresses Greta Lee and Jodie Turner-Smith appear on retro television screens throughout the production.
Swift's Creative Process and Collaborative Experience
Taylor Swift detailed her creative journey in an Instagram post on Friday, explaining how the video concept "crash landed into my imagination" during her Graham Norton Show appearance. Just one week following the broadcast, she sent Domhnall Gleeson a complete script for the Opalite video, envisioning him in the starring role.
"I had this thought that it would be wild if all of our fellow guests on the Graham Norton show that night, including Graham himself, could be a part of it too," Swift wrote. "Like a school group project but for adults and it isn't mandatory."
The 14-time Grammy winner expressed particular delight that every participant from the television episode agreed to join the project, describing the experience as creating "new friends, metaphors, and fashion choices" while finding the collaborative process "an absolute thrill."
Fan Reactions and Fashion Highlights
Swift's devoted fanbase responded enthusiastically to the video release, particularly praising the authentic 1990s retro aesthetic and vintage costume designs. One fashion item generating significant attention is an ivory sweatshirt featuring a cat clinging to a tree limb, which appears in multiple scenes including one where Swift swings alongside her rock companion.
Social media platforms buzzed with admiration for the distinctive garment, with one enthusiast declaring, "I need this sweatshirt right now, it is meowfully wonderful, I am obsessed," while another exclaimed, "I am going cats*** over this top, please tell me universe where to buy it ASAP."
The feline-themed apparel holds special significance for Swift, who is renowned for her affection for cats and owns three feline companions: Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button—each named after characters from popular television series and films.
Broader Context and Album Promotion
The Graham Norton Show episode aired on October 3, coinciding with the release of Taylor Swift's latest album "The Life Of A Showgirl," which includes the Opalite track. During that appearance, Swift showcased her engagement ring and discussed wedding planning with fiancé Travis Kelce, indicating her intention to focus on album promotion before formalizing matrimonial arrangements.
Lewis Capaldi's participation in the Opalite video represents a significant crossover moment between the Scottish singer's soulful pop style and Swift's expansive musical universe, demonstrating the power of television appearances to generate unexpected creative collaborations that captivate global audiences.
