In a delightful twist that has captured the imagination of fans, Taylor Swift has chosen to feature the exceptionally charming and endearing Graham Norton in her latest music video. For years, Norton's chat show has intrigued American celebrities, who are often enamored by the dazzling array of star power, the relaxed atmosphere with glasses of wine, and Norton's signature witty and playful banter. Swift's decision to include him is a testament to this fascination, taking it to new heights.
Norton stars in the music video for "Opalite," which is the second single from Swift's album, "The Life of a Showgirl." This video follows the earlier release of "The Fate of Ophelia." But it’s not just Norton who makes an appearance; the video also showcases other guests who shared the stage with Swift during her October 2025 appearance on the show. Among them are actors Domhnall Gleeson, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, and fellow musician Lewis Capaldi.
The music video itself is a whimsical, fantastical creation infused with a retro 90s vibe, showcasing Swift's talents as both writer and director. In this imaginative narrative, Swift portrays a lonely character who forms a quirky friendship with a pet rock, while Gleeson plays another solitary figure who bonds with a cactus. Their paths intertwine when a magical element known as "Opalite" works its charms. In a humorous twist, Norton appears as a salesman promoting a fictional product called "Nope-alite," while Turner-Smith takes on the role of a fitness instructor, and Lee lip-syncs along to Swift’s song as a made-up singer-songwriter reminiscent of MTV's golden age. Capaldi contributes as a mall photographer, and while Cillian Murphy, the final guest from that week's episode, doesn't act in the video, he features prominently as a billboard image and lends his voice for narration.
On Instagram, Norton expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, "The thrill of a lifetime and the hardest secret I’ve ever had to keep!! Thank you thank you."
Swift warmly described Norton as "insanely charismatic and lovable," reminiscing about her October experience: "I remember thinking I got ridiculously lucky with the group I was paired with… I was instantly struck with an idea."
She elaborated on how, just a week later, she sent Gleeson a script she had penned for the "Opalite" video, envisioning him in the lead role. She thought it would be fantastic if all their fellow guests from that evening on the Graham Norton show could join in the fun too. "Like a school group project but for adults and it isn’t mandatory. To my delight, everyone from the show made the effort to time travel back to the 90’s with us and help with this video," she noted.
Swift is no stranger to Norton's long-running BBC chat show, having graced the couch five times since 2013 and sharing the spotlight with notable figures like Bono and John Cleese. Her choice to cast Norton underscores his rising popularity across the Atlantic; clips from his show frequently gain traction in the US, and he has made appearances on US talk shows, such as Seth Meyers'.
Since its initial release, "Opalite" has already soared to No 2 on the UK charts, and it's poised to climb even higher in next week’s rankings from its current position at No 15.
Music enthusiasts can find the video available on Spotify and Apple Music, with a YouTube debut scheduled for Sunday.
