Taylor Swift‘s influence has once again shown its power, this time helping the Monterey Bay Aquarium raise over $2.3 million in just a few days to support its Sea Otter Program.

The aquarium told Mail Online exclusively that donations surged after Swift was seen wearing a vintage Monterey Bay Aquarium T-shirt in her latest short film, The Official Release Party of a Showgirl.

“We honestly didn’t know what to expect,” a spokesperson said. “It quickly became clear this wasn’t just a pop-culture moment – it was an opportunity to elevate our Sea Otter Program to a global audience.”

The campaign featured a re-release of a classic 1993 design, showing two otters floating in kelp. These sustainably produced shirts were offered to donors contributing $65.13 or more, a nod to Swift‘s favorite number.

Viral moment drives donations past $2 million

Within just seven hours of its launch on October 16, the campaign reached its initial goal of $1.3 million. By the next day, contributions had nearly doubled to $2.3 million, with all shirts selling out rapidly.

Early donations of $13-referencing Swift‘s lucky number-poured in even before the fundraiser officially began. After the shirt went viral, social media users flooded the aquarium with tags and shared nostalgic stories of visiting in their youth.

Swift‘s love for sea otters may be connected to her fiancé, NFL star Travis Kelce, who has openly talked about his fascination with the creatures. On his New Heights podcast, the couple joked about his dream of rescuing an otter in need.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Program has been a central focus for more than 40 years, rehabilitating and releasing over 1,000 sea otters. Proceeds from this fundraiser will directly support animal care, research, and other ocean conservation initiatives.

The aquarium’s spokesperson added, “The outpouring of love for the Aquarium is honestly touching. We hope millions more will be inspired to support sea otters and ocean ecosystems.”

Beyond this campaign, Taylor Swift continues her philanthropic work, recently donating $100,000 to a young girl fighting brain cancer. She has also supported food banks, visited patients at hospitals, and awarded her Eras Tour staff with bonuses totaling $197 million.

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