Domhnall Gleeson She beamed with joy on the red carpet at the 2026 Oscars, credits Taylor Swift for making a casual dream a reality through their fun music video collaboration. The Irish actor, fresh off a nomination for his animated short “Retirement Plan,” opened up about his surreal red carpet experience at the Oscars on March 15, 2026.
Bucket list mania
Domhnall Gleeson, 42, never imagined dancing alongside the global pop icon in the “Opalite” video released in February 2026, “I’m 42 years old, I’ve done nothing to be in Taylor Swift’s music video.” It was first released by Gleeson on “The Graham Norton Show” in October 2025. Swift loved the field and invited her to take the lead, wearing matching blue and orange tracksuits and a high-energy dance amidst dramatic lightning effects. “It wasn’t on my bucket list until it happened, but now it’s checked off,” Gleeson laughed, calling it an amazing career, she told E! Live news interview from the 2026 Oscars.The shoot felt like a nostalgic “adult school project,” mixing 90s vibes with pure playfulness. Gleeson admitted he had no business being in a Taylor Swift video, but his team made it look effortless and electric. Gleeson added, “I’ve been in a few of those music videos.” Gleeson continued. “I’m the same with all of them, but there was something special about doing a dance number with Taylor that wasn’t on my bucket list. I didn’t realize it was on my bucket list until it happened.”Taylor Swift stacked the cast with Irish stars to amp up the charm. Others like Cillian Murphy, Graham Norton and Lewis Capaldi joined in the madness, creating a full celebration of Gleeson’s homeland. Gleeson, who was no stranger to music videos after his clips with Hozier and his band Squarehead, said this one topped them all for its joyous mayhem. He added: “It was really exciting. I was really proud of what I did with Hozier a couple of years ago. And then another music video, I joined a big Irish band called Squarehead.”Fans raved about the unexpected pairing online, with clips going viral ahead of Oscar 2026 buzz. Gleeson’s easy rapport with Swift shined through, proving that star power can seamlessly cross genres.
The glitter of awards season
Timing at the Oscars added extra sparkle. Domhnall Gleeson arrived at the event nominated for best animated short directed by Conan O’Brien. A few days earlier, on March 12, he was honored at the 20th Oscar Wilde Awards in LA, where JJ Abrams presented the award. Abrams joked that Gleeson’s connection to Swift boosted his popularity beyond his “Star Wars” fame, from roles like General Hux. Gleeson’s career spans rom-coms like “About Time” to intense thrillers, but this lighthearted detour reminded us all of his versatility and warmth.
