Grandfather Featured in Swift's 'Opalite' MV Had No Idea Who She Was, Only That She's 'Kind and Compassionate'

When 83‑year‑old Barrie Reynolds turned up to film a cameo in Taylor Swift's star‑studded Opalite music video, he had no idea who the global pop star was.

Reynolds, from Capel‑le‑Ferne in Kent, England, said that he only learned about Swift's fame after reading about her tour in a newspaper.

Despite that, his experience working alongside her left him impressed, particularly with her down‑to‑earth manner.

'She was so kind and very compassionate,' he said of Swift, describing a shoot where she took time to speak to every crew member and ensure everyone felt comfortable. His light‑hearted on‑set role as a judge where he jokingly scores her zero became a memorable personal story he could tell his grandchildren.

Opalite Star Says He's Impressed With Swift's Kindness

Billboards shared that Reynolds was cast through his local acting and modelling agency and flown to a London set early in the morning for the Opalite video.

Prior to filming, he admitted he had 'no idea who she was,' much to the amusement of his granddaughters, who were 'very surprised' by his involvement.

Despite his initial unfamiliarity, Reynolds found the experience enjoyable. He said he was allowed a photograph with Swift at the end of the shoot and even gave her the playful nickname 'Niftie Swiftie,' a reference to how fast she danced during the video's lively 1980s‑inspired dance sequence.

Reynolds also described the song Opalite itself as 'very catchy,' and he really enjoyed being part of the video. This is even after his character jokingly gave Swift a low score

Swift's Reputation on Set

Reynolds isn't the only one to speak highly of Swift.

Actress Jodie Turner‑Smith, who appears in the same video, recently shared that Swift insisted she bring her five‑year‑old daughter, Juno, to the set. The offer delighted Turner‑Smith and made the experience extra special for the mother-daughter.

Turner‑Smith described the video shoot as a career highlight and praised Swift's creativity, work ethic, and thoughtfulness in making the set a welcoming space.

Such accounts align with how many collaborators describe Swift's approach: attentive, creative, and generous. Even those outside the music world, like TV host Graham Norton and actors Domhnall Gleeson, Lewis Capaldi, and Greta Lee all featured in Opalite have discussed the fun, spontaneous energy around the shoot.

Swift herself said the music video stemmed from a playful idea after appearing with them on The Graham Norton Show.

What the Opalite MV is About

Swift has explained what Opalite means in her own words. She said the title comes from opalite, a man‑made version of the gemstone opal, and she chose it because her fiancé Travis Kelce's birthstone is opal. The message was forgiving yourself for past experiences that didn't work out the way you wanted and giving yourself permission not to have everything figured out, including relationships that didn't last.

The music video shows a somewhat similar concept.

Swift explained that she imagined Opalite as a kind of magical 'product' in the video, something that symbolically 'transforms your problems into a paradise' for people who choose positive change.

She also said the theme reflects the idea that Opalite isn't about being stuck or unhealed ('Nope‑Alite'), but about choosing a path that serves you.

Opalite is a Hit!

Opalite reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it her 14th career chart‑topper in America and tying her with Rihanna for the third‑most No. 1 singles in Hot 100 history. That puts her behind only The Beatles and Mariah Carey on that all‑time list.

The song also hit No. 1 in the United Kingdom, giving Swift her sixth UK chart‑topper, and topped charts in the Philippines.

Opalite is the second No. 1 single from her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl, following The Fate of Ophelia, which spent 10 weeks at No. 1 in the US, her longest‑ever run.