Swifties, we have some purr-fect news for you! Taylor Swift [1], international pop star and well-documented feline lover [2], will be playing the one and only Bombalurina [3] in the live-action film adaptation of Cats [4]. Though this is indeed exciting news, it isn't the singer's first time on set. We all know that her English boyfriend Joe Alwyn is an actor [5], but Taylor has had a reputation on big and small screens over the years. And no, we're not talking about her highly elaborate and beautiful music videos [6] (though those are fun and worth checking out as well). From a dark and grisly cameo on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation to a fun and frothy support role in Valentine's Day, here are all of Swift's acting gigs that every true fan should know.
Haley Jones in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2009)
Way back in 2009, Taylor booked her first TV role on CSI in the episode "Turn, Turn, Turn" shortly after the release of her still mostly country pop album, Fearless. She doesn't have a happily ever after on CSI because well, it's CSI. On the procedural, the singer guest starred as Haley Jones, the teenage daughter of tawdry Vegas motel owners.
Felicia Miller in Valentine's Day (2009)
Taylor plays a doting high school girlfriend to Taylor Lautner [7] in Valentine's Day. (Yup, this was the era of Taylor times two [8]!) As far as rom-com roles go, hers is pretty goofy and mostly for giggles in this ensemble cast feature that includes Jessica Alba [9], Ashton Kutcher [10], and Jennifer Garner [11]. For the movie, she also wrote two fun, poppy love songs [12] for the film, "Today Was a Fairytale" and "Jump Then Fall." Oh, and Tay has a hilarious little dance routine [13] in the movie that may or may not be a teaser for "Shake It Off."
Herself in Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009)
Taylor is her peak country belle here, performing the charming, breezy "Crazier" in a small part of the Disney Channel original movie [14] starring Miley Cyrus [15]. She's technically herself, but we're keeping this role here anyway since it is in a feature-length film. The movie might have been a contender for the Razzies [16], but Disney fans are going to love the talent and catchy songs (including "The Climb" [17]) nonetheless.
Audrey in The Lorax (2012)
Swift enlisted in this adorable adaptation of Dr. Seuss' classic picture book about the plight of the trees. She voices a young environmentalist named Audrey who longs to see a real tree (and who's also the love interest of the main character). Her fellow voice castmates include Zac Efron [18], Ed Helms, Danny DeVito, and Betty White.
Elaine in New Girl (2013)
You might know that Jess from New Girl [19] takes comfort in listening to Taylor Swift alone [20] post-break-up. So, it was only natural that the show enlisted the mega-talented pop star herself for a brief gig in the episode "Elaine's Big Day." As the title suggests, she plays Elaine, the long-time love interest of Cece's then-fiance Shivrang. Unlike Prince on season three [21], Taylor doesn't put on a musical performance, but her character gets an ending that'll keep fans happy for her and for Schmidt and Cece [22].
Rosemary in The Giver (2014)
The country pop star made a cameo in The Giver, another beloved children's book [23] adaptation, albeit a much darker one than The Lorax. The story is about a dystopian society that has eliminated pain by converting people to "Sameness" and stripping them of emotional depth. Donning a brunette wig, Taylor plays Rosemary, the daughter of The Giver (Jeff Bridges [24]) who has a rather tragic fate.