Laura Dern Addresses ‘Deep Friendship’ With Taylor Swift

Laura Dern at the New York premiere of 'Poor Things' held at DGA New York Theater on Dec. 6, 2023, in New York City.

Laura Dern believes she has found a “lifelong” friendship in her connection with Taylor Swift.

The Big Little Lies star described her relationship with the “incredible” pop star as “one of my deep friendships” during a recent interview with People. “I love and admire her so much,” Dern added.

The “Blank Space” singer tapped Dern to appear in her music video for “Bejeweled,” one of the songs on Swift's 2022 album Midnights. The video put a new spin on the Cinderella fairytale, with Swift portraying Cinderella and Dern playing her evil stepmother. Este, Danielle and Alana Haim of the band Haim also appear as Swift’s evil stepsisters.

In a November 2022 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Dern described talking over ideas for the music video while on the phone with Swift. Dern said she was “honored” to be part of the process and was “so excited” for Swift’s success.

On her end, Swift said during an October 2022 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon that she wanted to make a music video that was “just for the fans” with “lots of little cameos.” While considering the casting for “Bejeweled,” Swift recalled thinking, "What if we really shoot for the stars with the other casting? What if there was Oscar-winner Laura Dern playing my stepmother?"

Swift then referenced a conversation during which Dern told her, “I’m down,” when Swift informed her she would call the pop star a “tired, tacky wench” in the video.

While Dern told People she wasn’t sure if her collaboration with Swift helped expand her audience, she told Jimmy Kimmel last year that she has been recognized specifically for her role in the music video while in public.

During a January 2023 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the Jurassic Park actress recalled being near a filming location for the 1993 movie when a fan recognized her—not for the part she played in the movie, but for her spot in “Bejeweled.” Being recognized in that location for the music video was “amazing,” Dern said.

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