Why Taylor Swift Never Appeared On The Vampire Diaries

Taylor Swift was never going to be in The Vampire Diaries. Back in 2009, co-creator Kevin Williamson expressed interest in Taylor Swift having a role as a vampire. Rumors have circulated for years that Swift was meant to play Lexi Branson, Stefan Salvatore’s ill-fated best friend who’s murdered in season 1, episode 8, “162 Candles.”

But, according to co-creator Julie Plec, the role hadn’t been written for the phenom. In I Was Feeling Epic: An Oral History of The Vampire Diaries by Samantha Highfill, Plec shared how Swift’s name became linked with the series despite having no intention of casting her as a guest star. Check out her comments below:

The CW did ask us if we wanted to do a Taylor Swift cameo, and we said no. It didn’t feel grounded. This isn’t 7th Heaven where Taylor can show up and do a free concert at the high school and make it feel somehow real. It will take us all out of it, it will take this very sort of timeless little community and make it feel too contemporary. If only I knew then what I know now about my love for Taylor.

Arielle Kebbel was who the co-creators wanted for Lexi. She’d originally auditioned for Elena Gilbert but, when they needed someone who could show a different side to the broody Stefan, they reached out. Kebbel was aware she was being cast for a one-episode arc that would see The Vampire Diaries‘ Lexi killed by its end.

What Taylor Swift’s Exclusion From The Vampire Diaries Meant For The Show

When The Vampire Diaries premiered in September 2009, Taylor Swift was a rising star in the industry whose name recognition skyrocketed after Kanye West infamously interrupted her award speech at the VMAs. 19 years old with a devoted fan base, and a film credit under her belt, she would have been a perfect cameo for the CW audience.

The teen dramas of the 2000s were music tastemakers. Like their ’90s predecessors, they served well as vehicles to push artists to larger audiences. However, as Plec points out, Swift would have pulled focus. Unlike its contemporary counterparts, TVD is a vampire series.

Trying to craft a realistic reason for her to be in Mystic Falls wouldn’t have worked. While Swift’s presence in TVD would have been a fun addition, whether she played herself or a vampire, it’s seemingly for the best that she wasn’t in the series.

Our Take On Julie Plec’s Decision Not To Cast Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift not appearing in The Vampire Diaries, let alone as Lexi, did keep the teen drama grounded like Plec wanted. Kebbel’s performance as the bubbly and snarky sunshine to Stefan’s rain cloud proved to be a fan favorite. She was even brought back multiple times throughout the vampire drama’s run.

Lexi not only had a larger presence than intended, but she and Stefan ended the series in a way that would have never happened if she were played by a megastar.

Scheduling conflicts alone would have prevented repeat appearances. Notably, The Vampire Diaries didn’t have any incredibly famous musicians make cameos, though My Morning Jacket and S.O. Stereo did make appearances.