Who Is the Crying Woman in the Cat Meme?
The famous “woman yelling at a cat” meme — a distraught, finger-pointing woman beside a confused white cat at a dinner table — is actually two unrelated images stitched together.
The crying woman
She is Taylor Armstrong, a cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The screenshot comes from the season 2 episode “Malibu Beach Party From Hell,” which aired on December 5, 2011. In the scene she is mid-argument, in tears, with castmate Kyle Richards beside her.
It’s worth knowing the real context was heavy: the moment was tied to Armstrong speaking about an abusive relationship. The meme strips all of that away and uses only the expression.
The cat
The white cat is Smudge, who lives in Ottawa, Canada. His owner posted the now-iconic photo — Smudge looking disgusted in front of a plate of salad — to Tumblr in June 2018, captioned “he no like vegetals.”
How they came together
In May 2019, an X (Twitter) user placed the crying Armstrong screenshot next to Smudge, and the internet instantly understood it: someone yelling, and the person (cat) who absolutely does not care. It peaked in mid-June 2019 and became a universal format for one-sided arguments.
Why it works
Two emotions in one frame — raw, over-the-top distress versus total indifference — make it perfect for any “me vs. them” situation.
Sources: Know Your Meme, CTV News.
FAQ
- Who is the crying woman in the cat meme?
- She is Taylor Armstrong, filmed during a season 2 episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills that aired December 5, 2011.
- What is the cat's name?
- The white cat is named Smudge, a cat from Ottawa, Canada. The photo was first shared on Tumblr in June 2018.
- When did the woman yelling at a cat meme start?
- The two images were combined in May 2019, and the meme peaked in mid-June 2019.
This article is an unofficial reference for commentary and education. Character names and imagery belong to their respective owners.