83-year-old Barrie Reynolds from the English county of Kent appeared in Taylor Swift's new music video for the song "Opalite," which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. While on set, the man had no idea he was working with one of the biggest pop stars in the world. It was his granddaughters, Millie and Francesca, who explained Swift's level of fame to him. In the clip, alongside Reynolds playing a judge, other well-known artists such as Lewis Capaldi, Domhnall Gleeson, and Greta Lee also appeared.

Unaware participation in the music video

Barrie Reynolds, an 83-year-old resident of the village of Capel-le-Ferne, appeared in Taylor Swift's star-studded music video for "Opalite" without realizing the artist's fame. He revealed his lack of knowledge in an interview with BBC Radio Kent.

Family reaction and work organization

Reynolds's granddaughters were very surprised when they learned of their grandfather's involvement in the project. The man got the gig through an acting and modeling agency he works with. Since there were no trains, the organizers sent a taxi to pick him up so he could get to the set in London.

Star-studded cast of the video

The "Opalite" music video gathered a host of well-known figures, including musician Lewis Capaldi, actors Domhnall Gleeson, Cillian Murphy, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Greta Lee. Reynolds played the role of a judge awarding Swift and Gleeson a score of zero in a fictional dance competition.

In an era of ubiquitous celebrity culture, a rare case has occurred where a participant in a major entertainment project does not recognize its main star. This is exactly what happened to 83-year-old Barrie Reynolds, who appeared in Taylor Swift's latest music video for the song "Opalite" without having any idea who the artist was. Reynolds, a retiree living in the village of Capel-le-Ferne in the county of Kent, regularly performs with the local theater group St Nicholas Players in Ringwould. He was recruited for the music video through an acting and modeling agency he works with. As he recounted to BBC Radio Kent, he was informed he had to be in North London at 7:00 a.m. Since trains weren't running at that hour, production sent a taxi for him. On set, where he met a host of British and Irish celebrities, Reynolds played the role of a dance competition judge, awarding Taylor Swift and actor Domhnall Gleeson a score of zero. Taylor Swift, whose career began in 2006, is one of the best-selling music artists in history. Her world concert tours, such as "The Eras Tour," break attendance records and impact local economies, and every new song or music video she releases becomes a global media event.His granddaughters, Millie and Francesca, expressed surprise at their grandfather's involvement in such a project. It was they who had to explain to Reynolds who he had been dealing with. "I'm afraid I have no idea who she is," he told them, as quoted by the BBC. The "Opalite" music video, which debuted at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, is a star-studded production. In addition to Reynolds, Swift, and Gleeson, it features singer Lewis Capaldi, actors Cillian Murphy, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Greta Lee, as well as popular television presenter Graham Norton. As Reynolds recounts, at the end of the shoot, he was allowed to take a photo with Taylor Swift. This story shows a clear contrast between global, digitized fame and local, almost anonymous life. While Swift is a pop culture icon followed by millions, for an 83-year-old resident of an English village, she remains an unknown person. His involvement in the project was purely a professional gig, devoid of the usual fan excitement that surrounds such productions. Reynolds emphasized that he regularly performs in local amateur theater, suggesting he treats acting as a form of activity, not a path to fame. His story, though light and amusing, also highlights generational differences in the consumption of mass culture and the fact that even in the age of ubiquitous social media, there are enclaves of life free from their influence.

Mentioned People

  • Barrie Reynolds — 83-year-old resident of Capel-le-Ferne who unknowingly appeared in a Taylor Swift music video
  • Taylor Swift — American singer-songwriter, the main artist of the "Opalite" music video
  • Domhnall Gleeson — Irish actor who appeared alongside Swift in the music video
  • Lewis Capaldi — Scottish singer-songwriter, a guest in the music video
  • Cillian Murphy — Irish actor, appeared in the music video