How Lili Reinhart Joined BTS in SWIM Video

TL;DR

Lili Reinhart was hesitant to dance in BTS SWIM and almost turned down the offer, fearing she could not dance well. She flew to Lisbon to shoot the video, endured intense nausea from travel, and was heavily medicated during filming. She discusses The Love Hypothesis inspired by Star Wars fan fiction and her Glee audition in Ohio.

Transcript

-Welcome back to the show. -Thank you. -We love having you on the show. Uh, happy belated birthday. You just turned 30. Come on. Big deal. [ Cheers and applause ] Happy birthday. -Thank you. I feel good. -Did you have a big party? What did you do? -I did not. I've been in the middle of the press tour, so my birthday was at my house for two seconds ... Read More

Key Insights

• Lili Reinhart was nervous about dancing for BTS but decided to participate because the project felt feasible and exciting.
• The SWIM shoot occurred in Lisbon and involved four days of filming, with Lili dealing with travel sickness during the process.
• Nausea medication was heavily used during the trip, contributing to a drowsy, semi unconscious state on set.
• The Love Hypothesis is inspired by a Star Wars fan fiction featuring Rey and Kylo Ren, shaping the film’s premise of fake dating for her character Olive.
• Reinhart discusses her early acting days and audition experiences, notably for Glee while living in Ohio as a teen.
• She keeps up a light, humorous tone with the host while sharing personal quirks and preferences, such as her fondness for Taco Bell.
• Her public perception shift is highlighted by the BTS collaboration and recognition on various platforms.
• The interview weaves together music video fame, romantic comedy adaptation, and fan culture into a cohesive narrative.

Questions & Answers

Q: What almost stopped Lili Reinhart from joining the BTS SWIM video and why?

Lili Reinhart almost turned down starring in BTS SWIM because she feared she could not dance to the level of BTS and was intimidated by the idea of performing with the biggest band of all time. She recounts considering passing and needing encouragement from BTS’ team to proceed. Her decision hinged on trust in her own abilities and the opportunity to collaborate with BTS, which overcame her initial hesitation.

Q: Where was the BTS SWIM video shot and what challenges did she face there?

The BTS SWIM video was filmed in Lisbon over four days. Lili describes the setting as windy at the airport which contributed to a nauseous experience during travel. She faced significant travel-related sickness and relied on nausea medication, which affected her energy and performance on set but did not prevent her from delivering the scene.

Q: How did Lili Reinhart handle the physical strains during filming?

Lili explains she was on a high level of nausea medication due to the flight and seasickness from being on a boat. She describes being almost unconscious while filming certain parts and managing the symptoms while still delivering her performance. The experience underscores how physical discomfort can be temporarily overcome for a creative project.

Q: What is the Love Hypothesis about and what inspired it?

The Love Hypothesis is a rom-com about two scientists who fake date. It is inspired by Ali Hazelwood’s Star Wars fan fiction featuring Rey and Kylo Ren, which shaped the film’s premise and character dynamics. The story centers on Olive and Adam, exploring themes of romance, friendship, and personal growth beyond professional settings.

Q: Did Lili Reinhart do any research for the Love Hypothesis role?

Lili Reinhart says she watched many rom-coms while filming but did not necessarily do formal research. She notes her academic background as science was not her strong subject. The character is portrayed as a Stanford scientist, and she emphasizes that the portrayal is fictional, with performance and storytelling taking precedence over technical accuracy.

Q: What small personal topics were discussed during the interview?

The conversation includes light personal topics such as Reinhart’s birthday and her long-standing love for Taco Bell. They playfully discuss a limited edition Mountain Dew Baja Blast pie released for her, reflecting a casual, friendly rapport between the host and guest that humanizes the interview and connects with fan-favorite brands.

Q: What is the public reaction or recognition hinted at in the interview?

The host mentions Reinhart being nominated as one of Cleveland’s most interesting people of 2026, highlighting how the BTS collaboration and her film work have elevated her profile. This recognition signals a broader media interest in her career milestones, including crossovers between music video fame and film projects.

Q: How does Reinhart describe her experience with fan interactions and social media?

Reinhart notes she sometimes avoids dangerous or scary messages in DMs, showing a cautious approach to fan interactions. She shares that she opened BTS’ DM and was glad she did, underscoring the impact of direct outreach from fans or collaborators on her career opportunities while maintaining boundaries in private messaging.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lili Reinhart explains how she almost passed on BTS SWIM because she worried about dancing, but ultimately joined the project after encouragement from BTS staff. She describes the experience of filming in Lisbon and managing travel sickness during production.

• She shares that the Love Hypothesis was inspired by a Vader x Rey Star Wars fan fiction and details her eclectic early acting journey including auditioning for Glee as a teenager in Ohio.

• The interview also touches on her relationship with fans, her favorite foods like Taco Bell, and light banter about her birthday and other personal moments from the episode.