A simple wardrobe choice by Taylor Swift set off a remarkable wave of support for sea otters: after the pop superstar briefly appeared wearing a Monterey Bay Aquarium T-shirt in a clip from the film The Release Party of a Showgirl, demand for the shirt surged and helped drive more than $2 million to otter conservation efforts.

In a statement posted online on October 16, 2025, the Monterey Bay Aquarium said the surge in orders left the reprinted tee temporarily on back order. The design—originally produced in the 1990s—was reissued by the aquarium as a donation-based item after fans noticed Swift wearing it.

At the time of the statement, the fundraising campaign supporting sea otter habitat restoration and rehabilitation in California had topped $2.2 million. The aquarium expressed sincere gratitude for the outpouring of support and said the response far exceeded expectations.

Beyond the shirt’s appeal, Swift’s fandom has taken to the marine mammals themselves. The 14-time Grammy winner told hosts on the New Heights podcast (hosted by Travis and Jason Kelce) that she often enjoys watching otter videos that her fiancé shares—an offhand habit that clearly resonated with her fans.

“I mostly use the internet for sourdough recipes — and for the otter videos Travis pulls up,” she joked during the conversation, underscoring how a small, personal preference can spark large-scale support when amplified by fans.

To learn more about the conservation effort or to donate directly, see the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s campaign page (donation page opens in a new tab).

Monterey Bay Aquarium — Sea Otter Shirt Reprint (Tiltify)
Monterey Bay Aquarium — Sea Otter Program & Campaign Details

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