Taylor Swift, who was named Time’s Person of the Year for 2023, graces the magazine’s cover alongside her beloved cat, Benjamin Button.
In the photo, captured by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, Swift exudes confidence in a black Bardot bodysuit and Wolford tights, with the fluffy feline draped over her shoulders.
The image is inspired by Bill Hayward’s ’70s-era book “Cat People,” featuring artful shots of professionals with their pets.
“The pictures are brilliant. It shows very well the relationship that people have with their cats,” Lamsweerde told Time.
“But at the same time, [shows] the way cats are kind of on their own – they’re a special breed of animal.
How Taylor’s picture came about
“So I got a vintage copy of it for Taylor because I know she’s a major cat lover, and her cats travel with her,” said Lamsweerde. “And I said, ‘You know, I’ve always wanted to do a picture like the one that’s on the cover of that book where the cat’s on the shoulder of the girl.’
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“It speaks to a sense of carrying everything on your shoulders but being defiant while doing so. And she agreed and that’s how that picture happened.
“[The image] really has everything: Her glamor [sic], her power, her sense of empathy of carrying the whole world on her shoulders. I felt that there is something there in her body position that’s very powerful and strong.
“Her expression and the way she looks has this old Hollywood glamor [sic] but underneath, there’s so much power in her stance. The way she has Benjamin on her shoulders is kind of like, ‘Yeah, I’m carrying you all.'”
Swifties expressed delight over seeing their favorite ragdoll cat making his debut on a high-fashion cover, adding a charming element to Swift’s recognition as Person of the Year.
Swift and her cats
Swift has three cats: Scottish Fold Meredith Grey, whom she adopted in 2011; Olivia Benson, who is also a Scottish Fold and joined the family in 2014; and Benjamin, whom she got in 2019.