Oh, what might have been! Taylor Swift has been joined onstage by countless fellow stars — including Julia Roberts, Alanis Morissette, Lisa Kudrow, Justin Timberlake, and John Legend, to name a few — but there's at least one blank space that has yet to be filled on her roster, and she's keeping it open for dynamic duo Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen.
After Stewart tweeted at Swift last month, asking if he and his BFF could join her ever-growing squad, the "Wildest Dreams" singer, 25, extended an invitation to the legendary pals — but McKellen, it seems, declined.
Asked in a recent interview how it felt to be a part of Swift's posse, the Oscar-nominated Lord of the Rings actor told Gay Star News, "I'm not."
He did say, however, that he and the pop superstar had a history — one that dates back to before her star-studded 1989 tour.
"When I was living in Peter Jackson's apartment in New York, Taylor Swift bought it while I was there and I was thrown out before I wanted to leave!" he shared. "That hardly puts me in Taylor Swift's team, does it? You look shocked."
When the interviewer replied that he was, McKellen laughed off the incident. "She bought it, she had every right to — I was just lodging there for free!" he quipped. "She did ask me to appear with Patrick Stewart at her show in L.A., but I had something else to do that night."
Stewart, 75, and his X-Men: Days of Future Past costar, 76, were unofficially welcomed into Swift's squad back in July, after they performed — separately — dramatic readings of some of her songs. McKellen used his distinguished British accent for a rendition of "Bad Blood," while Stewart lent his voice to "Blank Space" and "Style."
Afterward, the Star Trek: The Next Generation actor politely requested admission to Swift's inner circle.
So @IanMcKellen recited Bad Blood and I did Blank Space on @NPRAskMeAnother. May we join the squad, @taylorswift13? https://t.co/liKBfSzIaU
— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) July 16, 2015
In response, she posted a collage of photos of Stewart and McKellen living it up as the best of pals, writing, "Thanks for reciting my lyrics, @IanMcKellen and @SirPatStew. You've made my day. You two are ULTIMATE Squad Goals."
He replied, "OMG I DIE!!! (no really, I might. I'm old)," followed by a Photoshopped picture of himself and McKellen onstage with Swift, Lena Dunham, Gigi Hadid, Hailee Steinfeld, and Lily Aldridge. "I hope this means I can wear leather pants now," he joked.
