Jessie Buckley is setting the record straight about her feelings toward felines. The Oscar-nominated actress recently addressed a wave of online discussion sparked by previous comments suggesting she wasn’t a cat person, emphatically stating she is, in fact, a “lover of cats.” The clarification came during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, following a bit of a social media stir.
The conversation began last year during interviews promoting her critically acclaimed film, Hamnet, alongside co-star Paul Mescal. When asked about pet preferences, both Buckley and Mescal indicated a preference for dogs. Buckley’s statement, “I don’t like cats. Cats are mean,” quickly circulated online, prompting a strong reaction from cat enthusiasts. Now, Buckley is eager to correct the narrative and share a more complete picture of her relationship with the animals.
Appearing with Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, Buckley explained the misunderstanding. “I need to clarify something for all cat lovers in the world, right?” she said. “I am a lover of cats. I woke up this morning – does the world suppose that I really don’t love cats? And it’s really weighed on me all day. I felt sick.” She went on to reveal a surprising detail: she once auditioned for a role in the 2019 film adaptation of the musical Cats.
Buckley described the audition as a complete disaster. “It was honestly the worst – I gave the worst audition of my life,” she confessed to Fallon. “It was so hot. I was sweating. I was like, licking my paws, like trying to leap. I was just like a hoof of an Irish woman leaping across and licking her paws. And anyway, obviously I didn’t get it.” The story highlights the depth of her affection for cats, despite her initial comments. A clip of the interview was shared on social media by The Tonight Show, further amplifying the story.
The initial comments that prompted the clarification were made during an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast in November, according to RTÉ. Buckley also recounted a humorous anecdote about an ultimatum she gave her husband regarding his cats, a story she now frames within the context of her overall fondness for the animals.
Buckley’s recent success includes winning the Best Actress BAFTA for her performance in Hamnet last month, and she is currently nominated for an Academy Award for the same role. The actress’s willingness to address the cat controversy demonstrates a playful side and a responsiveness to public perception. She jokingly suggested she’s “probably a quarter cat and three quarters dog,” acknowledging a nuanced affection for both species.
The actress’s clarification has been widely reported, with coverage from the Press Association and Instagram, demonstrating the public’s interest in the story. The incident highlights how quickly comments can take on a life of their own in the age of social media, and the importance of clarifying misunderstandings.
As Buckley prepares for the upcoming Academy Awards, she’s clearly comfortable navigating the spotlight and engaging with fans, even when it involves a lighthearted debate about her favorite animal. The actress’s playful response to the “cat controversy” is likely to endear her even further to audiences worldwide.
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