Taylor Swift: The Perfect Houseguest and an Unexpected Snake Saga

Marcus Mumford recently shared a delightful story about Taylor Swift’s visit to his Devon farm during the pandemic. On the “Table Manners With Jessie and Lennie Ware” podcast, the Mumford & Sons frontman recalled how Swift came to record part of her acclaimed 2020 album “Evermore” at his personal studio. The tale began when Aaron Dessner, Swift’s producer, called Mumford looking for a discreet recording space in the UK. When Mumford jokingly asked if the mystery artist was “Beyoncé or something,” Dessner revealed it was actually Taylor Swift. Mumford couldn’t have been more pleased with his famous guest, describing Swift as “the most phenomenal houseguest” during her stay. He fondly remembered cooking vegetables for her—though admittedly burning many of them—and appreciated the “killer candle” she brought along, noting that “her candle game was excellent.” The collaboration proved fruitful beyond just providing studio space, as Mumford ended up performing backing vocals on the Evermore track “Cowboy Like Me.” This intimate glimpse into Swift’s professional process shows her thoughtful nature and ability to build meaningful connections with fellow artists, even while creating music in someone else’s space.

While Swift impressed Mumford with her perfect guest etiquette, her friend Zoë Kravitz had a rather different experience when the tables were turned. During an appearance on “Late Night With Seth Meyers” this past August, Kravitz recounted an extraordinary mishap that occurred when she and her mother, Lisa Bonet, took refuge at Swift’s Los Angeles home during the California wildfires in January. What started as a simple stay with Kravitz determined to be an impeccable guest—”I like to leave places better than I found them. I don’t want her to even know we were here”—quickly spiraled into an unexpected crisis involving Bonet’s pet snake, Orpheus. The drama unfolded when Kravitz received a strange call from her mother despite them being in the same house. Sensing something was amiss from her mother’s unusually high-pitched voice, Kravitz headed upstairs to find Bonet in a peculiar position, crouched in the corner of Swift’s bathroom. The revelation that followed would test their guest credentials to the extreme.

Bonet explained that while washing her face, she had momentarily set Orpheus down, only for the snake to discover and slither into a small hole in the bathroom corner. By the time Kravitz arrived, her mother was desperately clinging to the snake’s tail as the powerful reptile continued its determined journey into the unknown recesses of Swift’s bathroom wall. Panic immediately set in as Kravitz tried to assess the situation. “Maybe this hole goes into the drawers,” she reasoned, hastily removing the bathroom drawers to check—but to no avail. Meanwhile, the snake was inching further into the hole, and Kravitz’s anxiety escalated to such heights that Bonet later remarked, “If I had both hands, I would have slapped you.” The mother-daughter duo found themselves in an increasingly desperate situation, with Kravitz lamenting, “Mom, I can’t bring you anywhere!” What had begun as a temporary refuge from natural disaster had transformed into a domestic emergency of its own, highlighting the unpredictable nature of houseguesting—even among celebrities.

The crisis ultimately required professional intervention, as Swift’s house manager arrived with a crowbar to tackle the situation. What followed was nothing short of a demolition project, with the team “ripping up the tile” and “scratching the walls” in their frantic efforts to recover the escaped snake. Kravitz vividly described the destruction: “Completely destroyed Taylor’s bathroom.” The actress found herself facing an impossible choice: “Either we destroy her bathroom or I have to tell her that there’s a snake somewhere in her house.” This predicament illustrates the unique challenges of celebrity friendships—where even the most well-intentioned guests can find themselves in extraordinary situations. The story serves as a humorous counterpoint to Swift’s perfect guest behavior at Mumford’s studio, demonstrating that even in the rarefied world of celebrity homes, unexpected chaos can ensue.

These contrasting stories provide a fascinating glimpse into Swift’s life both as a visitor and a host. As a guest at Mumford’s farm studio, she demonstrated thoughtfulness and professionalism, bringing quality gifts and leaving a positive impression. Her focus on the creative process—completing “Evermore” and inviting Mumford to contribute vocally—shows her collaborative spirit and dedication to her craft even while working in borrowed spaces. The pandemic-era recording session resulted in one of Swift’s most acclaimed albums, with the Devon countryside perhaps influencing the album’s introspective, pastoral qualities. Mumford’s warm recollections suggest that Swift managed to maintain her gracious persona even during intense creative work, balancing professional needs with respectful houseguest etiquette.

Meanwhile, the snake incident at Swift’s Los Angeles home reveals another dimension of celebrity friendships—the unexpected complications that can arise when famous friends take shelter with one another. While we don’t hear Swift’s reaction to her demolished bathroom, the story highlights the sometimes surreal aspects of celebrity relationships. Despite the property damage, the bond between Swift and Kravitz appears to have remained strong, suggesting that their friendship transcends such mishaps. The contrasting tales also reflect Swift’s position in the entertainment industry: respected enough that a rock musician would welcome her to his personal studio, and successful enough to offer sanctuary to friends during natural disasters. These glimpses into Swift’s private interactions reveal a person who both appreciates hospitality and extends it generously to others, navigating the complexities of fame while maintaining genuine connections with fellow artists.

These stories ultimately humanize Swift beyond her public persona, showing her navigating the same social dynamics we all face—being both a considerate guest and a generous host—albeit in more glamorous settings than most. Whether burning vegetables at Mumford’s Devon farm or having her bathroom dismantled to rescue a friend’s pet snake, Swift exists in a world where extraordinary talent intersects with ordinary human experiences. Her relationships with fellow artists like Mumford and Kravitz reveal a network of creative professionals who support each other both artistically and personally, opening their homes to one another in times of creative need or natural disaster. In an industry often characterized by competition and surface-level connections, these anecdotes offer a refreshing glimpse of authentic friendships and professional respect. From recording acclaimed albums in borrowed studios to handling unexpected pet emergencies, Swift’s behind-the-scenes life appears to be just as compelling as her public performances—filled with the same mix of purposeful work, meaningful relationships, and unpredictable adventures that characterize any well-lived life.