Taylor Swift has released her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, which arrived worldwide on Friday, October 3, 2025.
Within hours of its release, the album became the most pre-saved record in Spotify history, breaking the previous record set by Swift’s 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department.
The 35-year-old artist collaborated again with Swedish producers Max Martin and Shellback, returning to a lighter pop sound.
Writing on Instagram after the release, Swift described the album as “a self-portrait” and added:
“Tonight all these lives converge here, the mosaics of laughter and cocktails of tears. I can’t tell you how proud I am to share this with you, an album that just feels so right.”
Swift revealed that Showgirl had been developed quietly during her demanding Eras Tour, calling it a “secret passion project” that helped her through periods of exhaustion.
Speaking on The Graham Norton Show in London on release day, she said:
“Last year on the tour I was physically exhausted – sick and worn down – so to spark me up I had the album as a secret passion project behind the scenes. It stopped me from hitting a wall.”
The album features a 12-song collection that mixes autobiographical elements, references to literature and cinema, and reflections on fame.
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Songs like “The Fate of Ophelia” and “Opalite” were a tribute to her fiancé Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end and Super Bowl champion, with “Wish List” and “Wood” looking forward to a shared future with Kelce, while including a reference to his New Heights podcast.
“Elizabeth Taylor” draws parallels with the late actress, noting both glamour and the personal cost of fame.
“Eldest Daughter”, addressed her family roles and promises of loyalty.
The title track, “The Life of a Showgirl”, features Sabrina Carpenter, with a closing scene from her Vancouver show during Eras Tour.
The album also interpolates George Michael’s 1987 song “Father Figure”, with approval from his estate.
Engagement and Wedding
Alongside the album’s release, Swift confirmed her engagement to Travis Kelce.
On Norton’s show, she revealed how Kelce proposed in August 2025, immediately after recording his podcast episode.
“He really crushed it in surprising me. While we were talking on his podcast, he had a complete garden built out the back of his house to propose in. He went all out — 10 out of 10.”
Swift added that she plans to prioritize promoting the album before beginning wedding preparations:
“I want to do the album stuff first, and the wedding is what happens after in terms of planning. I think it will be fun to plan.”
Swift also reflected on getting ownership of her music catalogue, she called it “a lifelong dream came true.”
“I was able to buy my entire back catalogue. Travis and I were in tears when it did. Every time it is mentioned, I get a wave of euphoria still,” she added.
