Many of us rehearse imaginary conversations for the day we bump into a favorite celebrity. In our heads, we’re witty, poised, maybe even aloof. But when the moment actually arrives, even the coolest customer can trip over a social cue—as Finneas O’Connell freely admits he did when he met Taylor Swift.
In a recent interview with The Guardian alongside singer-songwriter Ashe (Ashlyn Wilson), the producer and older brother of Billie Eilish recalled a “cringeworthy” exchange at one of Swift’s birthday parties. After Swift thanked him for coming, he reflexively replied, “Thank you for coming!”—the classic social echo you blurt out before your brain catches up. Ashe also shared her own starstruck moment involving Margot Robbie, but Finneas’ story won the prize for most blush-inducing.
The mix-up is a familiar human glitch—the same one that makes people tell a waiter “you too!” after being told to enjoy their meal. It’s a social script error: our brains lean on automatic reciprocity in polite exchanges, and under pressure (or excitement) we mirror what we hear. That even a seasoned performer like Finneas can fumble this way is a reminder that fame doesn’t erase human reflexes.
There’s a hopeful note in all of this: moments like these humanize public figures on both sides of the conversation. Fans see that artists get flustered too, and artists are reminded how much their presence can scramble even a polished professional’s nerves. It also speaks to why those quick, gracious acknowledgments from stars matter—Swift’s simple thank-you prompted an honest, if awkward, reply that many people can relate to and laugh about later.
Additional comment
– These candid anecdotes help demystify celebrity culture, showing that small social stumbles are universal and harmless.
– If anything, stories like this encourage more empathy in fan-artist interactions and make future encounters feel less intimidating.
Summary
Finneas O’Connell says he accidentally replied “Thank you for coming!” when Taylor Swift thanked him for attending her birthday party, sharing the anecdote during a joint interview with Ashe about awkward celebrity encounters. The slip underscores how common—and relatable—automatic social responses are, even for stars.