While Taylor Swift's Cat Olivia Benson Wasn't At The Era's Tour Mariska Hargitay Was, And Swifties Understandably Freaked Out

From left to right: Mariska Hargitay on Law and Order and Taylor Swift in the "Bejeweled" music video.
(Image credit: NBC and Republic Records)

Let’s just say Taylor Swift’s three nights and Nashville were truly iconic, for a myriad of reasons. From a weather delay and epic rain show, to her surprise songs and the announcement that Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) would be the next release among Swift’s upcoming projects, the weekend was full of fun moments. However, one viral TikTok pointed out another fun part of the epic Tennessee shows as a fan spotted Olivia Benson herself, Mariska Hargitay in the stadium, and the Swifties understandably freaked out about it. 

As most Swifties know, Mariska Hargitay is royalty in the Taylor Swift fandom. The singer is a massive Law & Order fan, and her second cat is named after the actress's character, Olivia Benson. So, whenever the real Olivia Benson is involved with something the singer does, the fans are always elated. 

When a TikTok of Hargitay walking through the stadium was posted, it blew up on social media as fans freaked out about seeing the legendary actress. You can see the video that currently has over 3.5 million views here:

@colorblindrobert

♬ original sound - robprindle

As you can hear, Rob Prindle, who posted the video, sounds like a massive Olivia Benson fan, as they screamed out their love for her as she walked by. This enthusiasm was matched in the comments, as people like grace, wrote posts like: 

if I saw olivia benson and taylor swift in the same night idk if I’d survive

A-listers have been spotted at just about every Eras concert, with people like Gigi Hadid, Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, and Emma Stone being seen at Swift’s shows. However, there’s something extra special about Hargitay being in attendance, because we all know how much the singer loves her. Others took to the comments to show their love for Olivia Benson the cat’s namesake, writing:

  • 👹I LOVE YOU OLIVIA BENSON👹. 💃like damn she in her mood💃 -Destiny 
  • ITS OLIVIA BENSON👹👹👹 -alexis 
  • I’m not ok. This just changed my entire life. I’m not ok. Mariska Stan for life -Allie Appleton 
  • wow I can't belive Taylor Swift played at an Olivia Benson fan meet up. she's so real for that, what a true fan 💕💞💖 -Diamunch 
  • You got to see Taylor AND Olivia benson?! -Jess DelGreco 
  • like i think i honestly would have been more excited to see her than taylor. that is MOTHER -madison 
  • Taylor and Mariska, our royal family -drew thomas 

Over the years, Swift and Hargitay have been seen together, most notably in the “Bad Blood” music video, where the Law & Order star walked alongside Ellen Pompeo, who plays the character the “Anti-Hero” singer’s other cat is named after, Meredith Grey. 

It seems like after all these years, that mutual love and appreciation has stuck, because Hargitay posted the sweetest video of her jamming out with Reese Witherspoon at Swift’s concert on Instagram:

Overall, it was a real Loverfest all around in Nashville between Mariska Hargitay, Taylor Swift and the fans. Olivia Benson, both the cat and the person, as well as Law & Order have a special place in Swifites hearts, so seeing the actress behind the character at the Eras Tour was extra special, and she helped make the “whole place shimmer.” 

While Taylor Swift continues to tour the country, Mariska Hargitay and Law & Order will continue to rock the 2023 TV schedule as new episodes of Season 22 continue to air every Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. You can also see why the singer's fans love Olivia Benson so much by streaming the procedural with a Peacock subscription

Riley Utley
Weekend Editor

Riley Utley is the Weekend Editor at CinemaBlend. She has written for national publications as well as daily and alt-weekly newspapers in Spokane, Washington, Syracuse, New York and Charleston, South Carolina. She graduated with her master’s degree in arts journalism and communications from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Since joining the CB team she has covered numerous TV shows and movies -- including her personal favorite shows Ted Lasso and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She also has followed and consistently written about everything from Taylor Swift to Fire Country, and she's enjoyed every second of it.