Irish actress Jessie Buckley has addressed confusion over her past remarks about cats, saying she is in fact a fan of the animals. The Oscar-nominated performer spoke about the controversy during a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Buckley explained that her earlier comments about cats had been misunderstood. She said the discussion around the topic had weighed on her throughout the day, prompting her to set the record straight for cat lovers everywhere.
Jessie Buckley cats remarks spark confusion
The conversation about Jessie Buckley cats began after a previous interview in which she appeared to say she disliked the animals. During a promotional interview for the film Hamnet, Buckley and co-star Paul Mescal were asked whether they preferred cats or dogs.
Both actors said they leaned more toward dogs. At the time, Buckley joked that she did not like cats and described them as “mean.”
She also shared a humorous story about giving her husband an ultimatum early in their relationship, saying he had to choose between her and his cats.
Those comments quickly drew attention online and sparked reactions from many cat enthusiasts.
Jessie Buckley cats clarification on Jimmy Fallon show
During her appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s late-night show, Buckley addressed the issue directly. She told the host that she wanted to reassure cat lovers that she actually likes cats.
The actress admitted that she woke up worrying that people might believe she genuinely hated the animals. She said the misunderstanding had bothered her more than she expected.
Buckley added that she has always appreciated cats and even once auditioned to play one.
The story drew laughter from Fallon and the audience as she described the unusual audition experience.
Jessie Buckley cats audition story from musical film
Buckley revealed that she auditioned for a role in the 2019 film adaptation of the musical Cats. Although she did not land the part, the experience left a memorable impression.
She joked that the audition may have been one of the worst performances of her career. According to Buckley, the room was extremely hot, and she tried to fully commit to the role by acting like a cat.
She described herself attempting to lick her paws and leap across the room during the audition.
Despite her efforts, she said the performance did not go as planned. In her words, she looked like “a hoof of an Irish woman leaping across and licking her paws.”
Ultimately, she did not receive the role in the film.
Jessie Buckley cats comments come during awards season
Buckley’s clarification comes during a busy period for the actress. She recently won the BAFTA award for best actress for her performance in Hamnet.
The role has also earned her an Oscar nomination, placing her among the most celebrated performers of the current awards season.
Her comments about cats first appeared during a podcast interview last November when she and Mescal appeared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast hosted by Josh Horowitz.
The lighthearted exchange later resurfaced online, leading Buckley to clarify her views publicly.
Jessie Buckley cats remarks highlight celebrity interview moments
Buckley’s explanation shows how quickly playful comments from interviews can circulate and create unexpected reactions online.
While the original remark was meant humorously, the actress said she wanted to make it clear that she holds no dislike toward cats.
For now, Buckley hopes her clarification will reassure feline fans that she remains firmly on friendly terms with their favorite animals.
