New footage reveals the pop star and her collaborator handling a small blaze—with an assist from Swift’s cat, Benjamin Button.
New York, NY — Taylor Swift and singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams turned an unexpected kitchen fire into a lighthearted moment at Swift’s New York City apartment, as seen in a video Abrams shared on X (formerly Twitter) Friday, June 21.
The clip shows Swift, 34, scrambling to operate a fire extinguisher after a candle tipped over, igniting an object on her countertop. Abrams, 24, filmed the incident as Swift quipped, “I think we’re gonna die,” before successfully dousing the flames.
“No, we’re not gonna die,” Abrams laughed in response.
Aftermath and Absurdity
As smoke cleared, Swift jokingly lamented the collateral damage: “Now my purses are ruined. And my shoes. And the whole room, I think.” The pair burst into giggles—interrupted only by Swift’s confused ragdoll cat, Benjamin Button, who wandered into the doorway mid-chaos.
The fire occurred after a late-night writing session for “Us,” a collaboration on Abrams’ upcoming album The Secret of Us (out June 21). In a separate clip, the duo is seen crafting the song at Swift’s piano.
“We Both Had an Insane Cough for Weeks”
Abrams told Billboard this week that the mishap happened hours after finishing the track, as they lingered over drinks past 6 a.m. “She was such a legend,” Abrams said of Swift’s quick thinking. “I don’t know how at this hour or in our state she knew what to do. We both had an insane cough from the fire extinguisher fumes for weeks.”
Benjamin Button’s Cameo
Benjamin—adopted by Swift in 2019 from the set of her “ME!” music video—has become a regular in her life and work. The feline famously joined her on the cover of Time’s 2023 Person of the Year issue, prompting Swift to joke on Instagram: “Time Magazine: We’d like to name you Person of the Yea- / Me: Can I bring my cat?”
Swift’s trio of cats (including Scottish Folds Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson) often steal the spotlight, but Benjamin’s latest appearance proves even household emergencies aren’t safe from his curious gaze.
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