Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ Polarizes and Intrigues Listeners
Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ Polarizes and Intrigues Listeners
By Madeleine New — October 27, 2025
On October 3, Taylor Swift released her highly anticipated 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
The record is classic Taylor Swift—12 tracks of lyrically focused pop music completed by Swedish producers Max Martin and Shellback. The duo has worked alongside Swift on many of her greatest hits, such as “Blank Space,” "Wildest Dreams,” and ”Style.”
The album itself sounds familiar. Dreamy pop melodies similar to her previous albums, particularly “Midnights” and “1989,” and lyrics about some of Swift’s most common topics, relationships, and fame. There are some good, catchy, single-worthy songs, such as “The Fate of Ophelia” and “Opalite,” and others that many believe fall short.
The release has been rather polarizing. Generally, the public likes the album. The release broke Spotify streaming records, is topping the charts, and many songs have already become viral TikTok sounds, but this has come with extensive public discourse and critical perceptions of the album.
Many music critics and reviewers poorly rate “The Life of a Showgirl,” with The New Yorker even calling the album a “cocky, temperamental record about power and insecurity.”
Critics disapprove of the lackluster lyrics from Swift, who has called herself an “English Teacher,” innuendos that miss the mark and border on cringeworthy, and repetitive, sample-heavy melodies.
Many of her fans, also known as Swifties, do not really seem to mind, though, as the album is flying off the shelves nonetheless. Supporters see the record as a light pop album that is a fun break from the outside world, as well as Swift’s previous melancholic records.
The release of the album came with a promotional film, which also served as a “release party” for her fans. Behind-the-scenes clips, lyric videos, and a brand new music video played at all U.S. AMC Theatre locations over the release weekend. Fans poured into the theatres, with the release party topping the box office at $33 million.
The music video shown—and the only one released thus far—was for the lead-off track, “The Fate of Ophelia.” Although the album was met with mixed reception, most agreed that “The Fate of Ophelia” was one of her most stylish videos yet.
The glamorous video included nine luxury looks.. If you are among the many viewers curious about the outfit details, you can find brief descriptions of the looks, in order of video appearance, below.
Custom Shakespearean-inspired dress by Alberta Ferretti
Custom red, Marilyn Monroe tribute bodysuit by Versace
Black chainmail dress by Roberto Cavalli
Haute couture hand-beaded gown by Paolo Sebastian
Custom bodysuit and sequin swim-cap by AREA
Embroidered and beaded rope-draped dress by Roberto Cavalli
Classic showgirl matching set by Bob Mackie
Custom chainmail dress by Kelsey Randall
Crystal mini-dress by AREA (as seen on the album cover)
Though audiences may still be split over the album itself, it is clear that this era’s fashion is on point.
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