Taylor Swift on Long Island: Video at Oheka, memorable Nassau Coliseum shows
Taylor Swift's "Blank Space" music video was filmed at Oheka in 2014. Credit: YouTube
Taylor Swift, who announced her engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce in a joint Instagram post Tuesday, has a few notable Long Island connections:
In 2014, Swift shot scenes for her "Blank Space" video at two of the Island's grand mansions — Oheka Castle in Huntington and Winfield Hall (aka Woolworth Mansion) in Glen Cove.
In the video, Swift plays the revenge-minded girlfriend of model Sean O'Pry.
Swift and O'Pry are living the life of Gatsby, complete with dramatic entrances down Oheka's Grand Staircase, pony rides down the tree-lined West Gate Drive and dinners in the Grand Ballroom.
The fairy tale is soon shattered when Swift discovers O'Pry texting to someone else while they picnic near the Formal Gardens. That's when knife-brandishing, golf-club-wielding, mascara-streaked Angry Taylor arrives, according to Newsday's former music critic Glenn Gamboa.
At Winfield Hall, the video features several interior shots, including the opulent dining room (with Swift and O’Pry seated at either end of the table). Realistic portraits of O'Pry and other male models were created by artists Jessie Bearden and David Phendler, production designer Marla Weinhoff told House Beautiful.
"Blank Space" was the second single from Swift's record-setting "1989" album.
Swift performed at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on May 14 and 15, 2010, as part of her "Fearless Tour," which was her debut trek. The concerts featured opening acts Kellie Pickler and Gloriana. Her set list included songs from her "Fearless" album, including "You Belong With Me," "Our Song" and "Love Story." According to reports, the show included multiple costume changes.
Over the years, many Swift tribute acts have attracted audiences to venues ranging from Mulcahy's in Wantagh to Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. In addition, The Vanderbilt Planetarium in Centerport has also featured a Swift laser-light show as has the Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair.
Andy Edelstein, Newsday's entertainment editor, supervises coverage of TV, celebrities, movies and pop music. He has written three books on popular culture, including "The Brady Bunch Book."
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