Taylor Swift Reveals “Opalite” Music Video Easter Eggs

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Taylor Swift made some more sunshine for her fans.

Just a week after releasing her glamorous “Opalite” music video, the Grammy-winning artist shared a longer, behind-the-scenes look at the making of the video, which was styled like a classic ’90s infomercial, in a special extended version.

She shared that Domhnall Gleeson was the one who arranged for his fellow guests from the October episode of The Graham Norton Show—Jodie Turner-Smith, Lewis Capaldi, Greta Lee, Cillian Murphy, and Graham Norton himself—to be involved in a future project, after he asked to participate.

Taylor said she spent about a year wondering what to do with the ‘Opalite’ music video. She explained in a video on February 13th that everything fell into place after appearing on the Graham Norton Show.

During an interview, the About Time actor jokingly said they’d love to be in one of Taylor’s music videos, and it looked like Taylor had a sudden idea after hearing that.

For the music video’s story, the artist behind “Karma”—who also directed it with cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto—focused on capturing the feeling of the song.

She remembered thinking the name ‘Opalite’ sounded like an advertisement, especially since another product was also shown. This led her to wonder if the item was intentionally presented as a magical product within the music video.

She explained that Nope-Alite is for those who actively prefer to remain unchanged, as it undoes the effects of Opalite. Opalite, on the other hand, is for people who want to choose a path that benefits them.

As for how Taylor pulled that off? 

She explained that she uses objects as symbols for unhealthy relationships. For example, she described being close to a rock that constantly feels like a burden, and her friend Domhnall being in a painful relationship symbolized by a cactus.

While dealing with a difficult friendship, the 36-year-old character, Lonely Woman, saw Greta, a popular indie rock star, performing on television in a bar. Taylor, the creator, explained that the scene was designed to look like a live concert broadcast on MTV.

Domhnall and a woman he’s interested in start a romance after unexpectedly using the same Opalite spray. To celebrate their connection, they arrange a photoshoot and run into Lewis’ character while at the mall.

In the video, Lewis shared that he believes he has a talent for truly capturing who people are. He feels Taylor recognized this about him even in their limited time together, and he believes he was meant to work behind the camera – it just feels natural for him.

Now that the characters from “Lonely Man” and “Lonely Woman” are dancing together even amidst the storm, let’s find out what happened to the boyfriends from Taylor Swift’s other music videos.

Fans enjoyed the romantic scenes between Laith Ashley and Taylor Swift in the “Lavender Haze” music video. Laith, a trans activist, was shocked when his manager told him about the opportunity.

“He said Taylor Swift’s team contacted him directly, asking for me to be in the video,” Laith explained to Logo in 2023, a year after the video came out. “I didn’t believe it at first! I thought he was joking or pranking me. It seemed so random, and I couldn’t understand why they would want me in it. But he insisted he was serious and that they really wanted me to be in her upcoming music video.”

Since then, Laith has continued to work as a model and actor, appearing in films like Absolute Dominion, The Long Game, and My Divorce Party, as well as TV series including Unconventional and Wicked City.

As fans know, Dylan O’Brien starred alongside Sadie Sink in the 2021 short film widely believed to be inspired by Taylor Swift’s relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal.

Taylor explained to Bustle that Dylan was her first choice for the film because of his range as an actor. She’d been impressed by his work and heard positive things about him as a person, prioritizing collaborators who are passionate and enthusiastic.

After reaching out with a lengthy text message, Taylor secured Dylan for the role. She felt he would excel at improvisation and bring depth to the character, significantly enhancing the story. She was thrilled with his performance and happy to have gained a friend through the process.

Dylan remembers being immediately on board. He was surprised and delighted that Taylor had even known who he was, and they shared a laugh about it at the premiere.

Since then, Dylan has continued to work on various films, including The Outfit, Maximum Truth, Ponyboi, Caddo Lake, and Twinless.

I bet you think about this music video.

In the 2021 music video, directed by Blake Lively, Miles Teller played a groom preoccupied with his ex-girlfriend, Taylor. Interestingly, Miles’ wife, Keleigh Teller, played the bride in the video.

This casting made sense, as the Tellers are friends with Taylor. In November 2021, Taylor tweeted about her gratitude for Miles being a great dance partner and friend, and praised Keleigh as “the coolest living human.” She also highlighted Keleigh’s willingness to take a risk with the role.

Since appearing in the video—which many believe is about Jake Gyllenhaal, hinted at by the red scarf—Miles Teller has been busy with several projects, including the TV series The Offer and films like Top Gun: Maverick, Spiderhead, The Gorge, and Eternals.

Oh my gosh, you HAVE to know how Taeok Lee and Taylor connected way before the ‘cardigan’ video! He actually told this story on Instagram, and it’s EVERYTHING. He said the 2012 American Music Awards were his very first job – he BOOKED it at an audition! And then, get this, his NEXT job was on Taylor’s Red Tour! He doesn’t talk about it much anymore, he says it feels like another lifetime because he’s moved on to different things, but he still thinks about it all the time – the people, the places, the shows
 it was amazing! He’s so grateful for evermore too. He actually messaged Taylor and said, ‘Thank you for bringing everything full circle.’ He met his best friend because of her, and had the craziest adventure at 19. To come back at 27 and see how strong and talented she still is
 he says it reminds him what an insanely talented and intelligent woman she is. I just
 I can’t even handle how sweet that is!

For Taylor Swift’s sweetly romantic “Lover” music video, she chose dancer Christian Owens, who had previously performed with her on both the Reputation and 1989 tours. He’s a seasoned performer too, having also danced in BeyoncĂ©’s iconic Homecoming show at Coachella and Normani’s “Motivation” video.

When Taylor released the music video in 2019, she raved about the choreographer – calling them a fantastic actor and dancer, and predicting they’d soon become a breakout star. Just another exciting moment for Taylor and her team!

Scott Eastwood starred in Taylor Swift’s music video “Wildest Dreams,” a 1950s-style film inspired by classic Hollywood. The video features Eastwood as an actor who falls in love with Swift’s character while filming on location in Africa.

Interestingly, his agents were initially reluctant for him to take the role. In a 2016 interview with People magazine, Eastwood revealed they questioned why he would want to play Swift’s love interest, but he didn’t see a problem with it.

Since appearing in “Wildest Dreams,” Eastwood’s career has continued to grow. He went on to star in the romantic drama The Longest Ride, and joined blockbuster franchises with roles in Suicide Squad and The Fate of the Furious. He’s also appeared in films like Tin Soldier with Jamie Foxx and Robert De Niro, and Stolen Girl alongside Kate Beckinsale.

Dominic Sherwood famously had long, slicked-back hair and wore a white t-shirt in a 2015 music video that many believed was about Harry Styles. He explained to the Huffington Post that Taylor Swift felt he matched the look she had in mind for the video, noting he possessed the qualities she described in her lyrics and that his personal style aligned with what she envisioned.

At the time, Sherwood was dating Sarah Hyland, but they ended their relationship in 2017. He later dated Decker Sadowski, though they have since broken up.

Sherwood has also appeared in several films, including Don’t Sleep and Haunted Wedding, and TV series such as Shadowhunters, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, and Partner Track.

Before model Sean O’Pry could share that he was in Taylor Swift’s 2014 music video, he had to keep it a secret. “I couldn’t tell anyone,” he told TopMob News. “I only spoke about it with my manager and my dog.”

Sean, who landed the role over Antoni Porowski from Queer Eye, still remembers a surprising moment on set. He told Vanity Fair, “She bit my lip! I was so embarrassed and tried to hide my blush. That’s how I met Taylor…She was already beautiful, but she looked amazing in the video.”

Sean, also born in 1989, continues to thrive as a successful model.

Reeve Carney, known for playing Spider-Man on Broadway, took a break from the show in 2012 to appear in a music video. He later joked that it significantly boosted his Twitter following. He described the artist as incredibly talented and kind, and said being part of the video was a pleasure.

Carney has since taken on diverse roles, including Dorian Gray in Penny Dreadful, Riff-Raff in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Tom Ford in House of Gucci. He gained further acclaim as Orpheus in Broadway’s Hadestown, where he starred with his future wife, Eva Noblezada, and is currently playing the Emcee in London’s Cabaret.

We’ll always remember Taylor Swift’s music video featuring Noah Mills as her ex-boyfriend! The Canadian actor described the 2012 shoot to People magazine as “super goofy” and said it felt like being at Disneyland – very cheerful and upbeat. Since then, Noah has had a successful career, appearing in shows like NCIS: Hawai’i, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, The Enemy Within, and The Brave.

In Taylor Swift’s 2012 music video, filmed in Paris, French actor Vladimir Perrin played the role of a man Taylor meets in a cafe after a breakup. Since then, Perrin has appeared in several films and TV series, including My King, The Advent Calendar, and RĂ©sistance.

Remember the inspiring motto, “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose”? Zach Gilford, known for his role in Friday Night Lights, appeared in Taylor Swift’s 2011 music video as her boyfriend, a war veteran.

Taylor explained she chose Zach because he consistently brings a genuine warmth and emotional depth to his performances, something she wanted for the character. She was always impressed by his ability to connect with audiences.

Zach was equally thrilled to work with Taylor, praising her kindness and artistic talent. He happily accepted the role.

Since appearing in the “Ours” music video, Zach has continued to build a successful career, with roles in films like The Purge: Anarchy and television series including L.A.’s Finest, Good Girls, Midnight Mass, Criminal Minds, and The Fall of the House of Usher. He married his Purge co-star, Kiele Sanchez, in 2012, and they share two children, but they separated in 2025.

Latvian model Guntars Asmanis was chosen to play Taylor Swift’s love interest in her 2011 music video, a video inspired by her relationship with actor Taylor Lautner. Director Yoann Lemoine explained to MTV News that he wanted someone delicate and handsome, not a typical “heartthrob,” to maintain the video’s sincerity. Both Swift and Lemoine agreed that Guntars was the perfect fit. As of late, Guntars has largely disappeared from public view, leaving fans wondering how he’s doing.

Taylor Swift chose British actor Toby Hemingway to be in her 2010 music video – he played the role of a waiter who becomes her dream husband. She was a fan of his work in the film Feast of Love and felt he would be a perfect fit for the video, as she told MTV News. Hemingway later went on to star in films like Black Swan, In Time, The Silent Thief, and Battlecreek.

This song’s music video was unique for Taylor because it didn’t have a happy ending and took place in college, not high school. It was inspired by a slightly embarrassing run-in she had with an ex-boyfriend at the 2010 CMT Music Awards – many believe it was John Mayer! Unlike the subject of the song, Caleb Campbell, who appeared in the 2011 video, hasn’t remained in the public spotlight.

 

Taylor Swift chose Stephen Colletti to play her love interest in her 2009 music video, as she was a big fan of his work on shows like Laguna Beach and One Tree Hill – just like many teenagers growing up in the 2000s. In a behind-the-scenes video, Swift explained she thought Colletti was ‘great’ on One Tree Hill and found him ‘so cute’ when watching Laguna Beach. She wanted someone who seemed genuinely sweet and innocent for the role, and he fit the bill perfectly.

Interestingly, Colletti didn’t end up being swept off his feet by Swift in real life. He married Alex Weaver in 2025, and they announced they were expecting a baby in January 2026.

Colletti has continued acting, appearing in the show Everyone is Doing Great with his One Tree Hill co-star James Lafferty from 2021 to 2023. He’s also remained visible on television, currently competing on season four of The Traitors and will be part of the upcoming Laguna Beach reunion.

Taylor Swift and Lucas Till first met on the set of Hannah Montana: The Movie, where she made a cameo and he played Miley Cyrus’s love interest. He later appeared as her crush and neighbor in the 2009 music video for “You Belong With Me.” Taylor praised his performance, saying he was perfect for the role and fun to work with. Lucas admitted to having a crush on her, possibly since he was 16.

Although they briefly dated, the relationship didn’t last. Lucas explained that they simply liked each other too much and lacked the passionate ups and downs common in most romances. He felt they were better suited as friends.

Since then, Lucas has had a successful acting career, including roles in the X-Men universe as Havok, the lead in the MacGyver reboot (2016-2021), and the Netflix series The Abandons, alongside Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson.

Taylor Swift chose reality TV contestant Justin Hartley to appear in her 2008 music video, seeing him as the perfect fit. At the time, Hartley was 20 years old and later gained attention for his relationship with Miley Cyrus, who was 16. The couple dated for less than a year before splitting up right before Cyrus began filming The Last Song, where she met her future ex-husband, Liam Hemsworth.

Hartley married Melissa Ordway in 2012, and they adopted a daughter, Olivia, in 2016. Their second daughter, Sophie, was born in 2017.

As an actor, Hartley appeared in 22 episodes of Days of Our Lives in 2014. He has also been in God’s Country Song, Santa Bootcamp, and The Unauthorized Full House Story, where he played John Stamos.

Taylor Swift chose former football player Justin Sandy to portray her cheating ex-boyfriend in her 2008 music video, playfully calling him a “real-life Ken” doll. After an injury ended his NFL career, Justin became a successful entrepreneur. His profile on X (formerly Twitter) states he’s a retired NFL player dedicated to helping others with nutrition, publishing books, and connecting with forward-thinking individuals. Justin fondly remembers his time as Taylor’s on-screen boyfriend and once shared a throwback photo signed by her, which read, “I love Justin and I would never burn his picture.”

I’ve been a fan of Tyler Hilton for years, ever since he played Taylor Swift’s high school crush, Drew, in her “Tim McGraw” music video back in 2007! It’s such a sweet story how they connected – they were both fans of each other’s work. He loved her music, and she watched him on One Tree Hill. Then, she actually invited him onstage to perform with her! He recently shared on a podcast that Taylor told him she waited to ask him to be in her video until they were both on stage, worried he might say no otherwise.

They became really close after that, and he even stayed with the Swift family on their houseboat when he first moved to Nashville. It was so cool to see them reunite backstage at Taylor’s Reputation tour in 2018 – he posted a picture saying she “killed it” and reminiscing about the “Teardrops” video.

While Taylor and Tyler didn’t end up together romantically, he did find love with Megan Park, meeting her on the set of Charlie Bartlett and marrying her a few years later. They share two children, but sadly announced their split earlier this year.

Recently, Tyler’s been keeping busy with his music, touring with Kate Voegele, and starring in some really cute Christmas movies – The Christmas Contract and A Christmas Wish – alongside his One Tree Hill co-star, Hilarie Burton. It’s been amazing to watch his career evolve!

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2026-02-13 20:19