Taylor Swift makes history with the first cat on the cover of Time Person of the Year
It seems Karma is a cat on the cover of Time magazine as Taylor Swift once again proves that her star power knows no bounds, gracing the cover of Time magazine's 2023 Person of the Year issue accompanied by none other than her feline confidant, Benjamin Button.
The 12-time Grammy winner took to social media to share the captivating cover.
Read Taylor Swift's full Person of the Year interview (featuring Benjamin Button, the cat) https://t.co/RgVoNa85kz pic.twitter.com/5nhQS2nTUP
— TIME (@TIME) December 6, 2023
Dressed in a noir-esque ensemble – a black long-sleeve bodysuit and opaque tights – Swift stands tall, with ‘Benjy’ draped casually around her neck, bringing new meaning to the term "catwalk."
In an Instagram caption that could only be crafted by Swift herself, she cheekily recounted the unconventional exchange with Time, quipping, “Can I bring my cat".
This is Benjamin Button. He’s a good boy. https://t.co/Ou40WXL8hH pic.twitter.com/6aM19kYq5K
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) April 26, 2019
Swift's audacious move to feature Benjamin on the cover wasn't lost on her devoted Swifties fan base, who have unsurprisingly hailed the decision as nothing short of "iconic."
the one thing I absolutely love about her (as a cat mom myself) is that she will ALWAYS find a way to talk or show her cats
— adriana (@theunsualroses) December 6, 2023
and I respect her for that https://t.co/jyHNDjVw3a
The feline-friendly gesture is in keeping with Swift's established reputation as a doting cat mom, with a fur family that includes the notable Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson.
Y’all, wondering why Taylor had Benjamin around her shoulders for Time and not Meredith or Olivia
— Taylor’s Gorl (@funolabells) December 7, 2023
Me, knowing that Meredith and Olivia make their living off being holy terror troublemakers and they’d have never sat around her shoulders like a cat wreath pic.twitter.com/jU4mLX1c9F
Social media platforms lit up with admiration for Swift's commitment to showcasing her furry companions during significant career milestones.
remember taylor’s cat joke 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/nONMR48EyC
— zaynah ~ 1989tv (@peaceofseven) November 29, 2023
While Benjy may bask in the limelight as a Time cover star, it's Olivia Benson who claims the title of the third-richest pet globally, boasting a staggering net worth of $97 million.
Taylor named her cat "Olivia Benson" after Mariska's character and now Mariska named hers "Karma" after Taylor 🐈 pic.twitter.com/x4W5zHb2tl
— The Swift Society (@TheSwiftSociety) November 30, 2023
Photographer Inez van Lamsweerde, the creative genius behind the lens, drew inspiration from the '70s photographic gem "Cat People" by Bill Hayward.
The result is a portrait that encapsulates Swift's glamour, power, and a touch of defiance – a visual narrative of a woman confidently carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, or in this case, on her neck.
The story behind Benjy's adoption during the filming of the "Me!" music video adds a heartwarming layer to the narrative, showcasing Swift's air of compassion and spontaneity.
It's a tale that resonates with pet lovers and romantics alike, solidifying Swift's status as not just a musical maestro but also a delightful storyteller in the grand ballad of her own life.
In the ever-evolving symphony of Taylor Swift's career, her Benjy-toting Time magazine cover is a delightful crescendo, a vibrant blend of wit, charm, and feline allure that leaves us eagerly awaiting the next charming chapter in the Swift saga.
(Reputation is coming)