Jessie Buckley Clarifies ‘Lover of Cats’ Status After Backlash
Jessie Buckley is walking back comments that sparked a surprisingly fierce debate online: her admitted dislike of cats. The Oscar-nominated actress clarified her position during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on , stating she is, in fact, a “lover of cats” and that a previous statement to the contrary was a “misconception.”
The clarification comes after Buckley’s initial comments, made during a November interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast alongside her Hamnet co-star Paul Mescal, went viral. When asked if she preferred cats or dogs, Buckley reportedly stated, “I don’t like cats. Cats are mean.” She also recounted an ultimatum given to her husband: choose between her and his feline companions.
Appearing with Fallon, Buckley expressed surprise at the level of backlash. “I woke up this morning – does the world think that I really don’t love cats? And it’s really weighed on me all day. I felt sick,” she said. She explained that her preference for dogs was a matter of degree, stating, “I think I’m probably a quarter cat and three quarters dog.”
The actress then revealed a somewhat unexpected detail: she once auditioned for a role in the 2019 film adaptation of the musical Cats. “I wish to just tell cat people that I actually auditioned to be a cat once,” Buckley told Fallon. “There’s been a misconception because of an interview that I did.”
However, the audition did not go well. “It was honestly the worst – I gave the worst audition of my life,” she admitted. She described a chaotic performance involving sweating, paw-licking, and leaping, characterizing herself as “a hoof of an Irish woman leaping across and licking her paws.” Unsurprisingly, she did not land the part.
Buckley’s current predicament highlights the surprisingly passionate connection many people have with their pets, and the potential for seemingly offhand comments to generate significant online reaction. The incident underscores the scrutiny faced by actors, particularly those currently in the awards season spotlight.
Buckley’s performance in Hamnet, a critically acclaimed adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, has earned her considerable recognition. She won the Best Actress BAFTA award last month and is nominated for an Oscar in the same category. The film, released in , explores the life of Shakespeare’s son, Hamnet, and the grief that followed his death. Her co-star, Paul Mescal, also received widespread praise for his role.
The initial comments regarding cats were made during promotional interviews for Hamnet, and the subsequent clarification on The Tonight Show served as another opportunity to discuss the film. While the cat controversy is undoubtedly a lighter story, it’s a reminder of the constant media attention surrounding awards contenders and the delicate balance actors must strike between authenticity and public perception.
The incident also speaks to a broader trend of actors facing public accountability for their personal opinions, even those expressed in casual conversation. While Buckley’s clarification appears to have quelled the immediate uproar, the episode serves as a cautionary tale about the power of social media and the potential for even seemingly innocuous statements to be amplified and misinterpreted.
Buckley’s willingness to address the issue head-on, and her self-deprecating humor regarding her disastrous Cats audition, likely helped to mitigate the damage. The incident, while unusual, is unlikely to significantly impact her Oscar chances, but it does offer a glimpse into the pressures faced by actors navigating the complexities of public life in the digital age. The Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for .