Latest news with #Midnights'
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Taylor Swift is unstoppable, and the surprise ‘The Life of a Showgirl' drop is proof
As any Swiftie knows, there's always something brewing with Taylor Swift. She's never not working on something, but the last thing we expected was an entirely new album, announced on a random Tuesday night and her boyfriend's podcast, no less. August 12 was supposed to be a normal day — until I decided to open up X (I still cringe calling it that) and was hit with pure shock and happiness. Taylor Alison Swift had announced a brand-new album out of nowhere. 'The Life of a Showgirl' had officially entered the chat. Sure, there were hints, but half the fandom thought we were just clowning. And yet, there it was, her 12th studio album, revealed casually on the 'New Heights', the podcast hosted by her boyfriend, Travis Kelce and his brother, Jason. Taylornation, the account run by her team, had dropped the first breadcrumb hours before her album tease, posting an Eras Tour shot of Swift, dressed in orange, with the caption, 'See you next era.' Soon after, a countdown clock appeared on her website, set to strike 12:12 am on August 12. Meanwhile, 'New Heights' teased a 'special guest.' When the clock hit zero, Kelce introduced Swift as their guest, and in a teaser clip, she mentioned the new album. Even though the cover art was blurred, it was enough to send Swifties spiralling. Swift has always kept fans on their toes with her album rollouts. She announced 'Midnights' during her VMA acceptance speech, then followed it up with a playful social media track-reveal series. She unveiled 'Speak Now' and '1989' (Taylor's Version) mid-performance on the Eras Tour. 'The Tortured Poets Department' (TTPD) arrived with zero buildup, announced casually while accepting a Grammy. So, with 'The Life of a Showgirl', the reveal really could have gone either way. And of course, she wasn't done. Another countdown went up on her site soon enough, and as the clocks hit zero, again, she had posted the full details: multiple cover variants, a complete 12-track list, and a release date of the album — October 3. The album cover visuals draw from historic showgirl imagery: the burlesque-inspired, glamorous, feathered, and glittery costumes. And as with most of her albums, this one too had a predominant colour scheme — orange and mint green. A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) The main cover, which shows Swift drowning in water, even evokes Ophelia from Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'. The doomed noblewoman, shattered by betrayal and grief, drowns after descending into madness. It is fitting for the title of the album's first song, 'Fate of Ophelia'. 1. The Fate of Ophelia 2. Elizabeth Taylor 3. Opalite 4. Father Figure 5. Eldest Daughter 6. Ruin the Friendship 7. Actually Romantic 8. Wi\$h Li\$t 9. Wood 10. CANCELED! 11. Honey 12. The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter) On the podcast, Swift revealed there will be no bonus tracks, and that there are four album variants, each with a different name: 'Sweat and Vanilla', 'It's Frightening', 'It's Rapturous', and 'It's Beautiful'. And confirming perhaps the biggest fan theory, Swift has reunited with Swedish producers Max Martin and Shellback, who were her collaborators on some of her biggest hits, for the first time in nearly eight years. The album, she explained, was written and recorded entirely while she was on the Eras Tour, flying to Sweden during breaks. In many ways, the podcast was also a rare window into Swift's emotions where she was playfully teasing sports commentators, reflecting on regaining her masters, and opening up in ways we don't often see now that she keeps her personal life more private. To be fair, the announcement was nothing short of a plot twist. Most fans were expecting the next big drop to be 'Reputation (Taylor's Version)', though Swift had earlier hinted that it might not happen. In a letter announcing she had gained control over her original master recordings, in a multi-million dollar deal with Shamrock Capital, she admitted that 'Reputation' belonged to a very different, intense chapter of her life, and she wasn't sure she could recreate it just yet. Instead, she swerved onto an entirely new project. And Swifties, of course, went feral. Discussions, memes, and some good old Internet sleuthing for more clues on her album flooded Reddit and Twitter. The Empire State Building and several brand accounts on X turned orange. Even Google joined in, adding an orange confetti animation for searches of her name. Google has implemented an orange confetti animation upon searching for Taylor Swift. — Pop Base (@PopBase) August 12, 2025 Some shared the iconic Mean Girls' Lindsay Lohan moment, where she says, 'On October 3rd, he asked me what day it was'. October 3 is now officially rebranded as 'the day Taylor released her album.' This is gonna be me on October 3 this year #TSTheLifeOfAShowgirl — dianca🐾❤️🔥 (@diancuh) August 13, 2025 Some fans see the orange-and-green palette as a nod to the Statue of Liberty, whose copper exterior was once orange before oxidising to green — a likely metaphor for the changes and criticisms women face as they age in public. Those hunting for easter eggs in her previous works drew attention to the 'Anti-Hero' music video visuals, where she's dressed in white (the colour of TTPD) and then orange (for 'The Life of a Showgirl'). HELLO?! White outfit is TTPD Orange and green is The Life of a Showgirl OH TAYLOR YOU ARE A MASTERMIND #TSTheLifeofaShowgirl — Brittany ❤️🔥 (@dontblamebritt) August 12, 2025 One even joked she based the album on Donald Trump's skin tone. (The US President had recently stirred controversy by calling her a 'woke singer' who was 'no longer hot.') The fandom's theories may be over the top, but their excitement is unmatched, and often, they're right. That's the magic of being a Swiftie. since trump wanna keep talking about taylor she based her next album on his skin tone — ໊ (@buffys) August 12, 2025 People often wonder why Swift's fandom is one of the most passionate in the world. The truth is, she has been around for almost two decades, and the way she interacts with her fans is unlike any other artist. Ever since her first song and album, she has connected with listeners, making them feel like she's truly there for them. Over the years, critics have called her music plain or predictable, forgetting that what some dismiss as 'basic' is exactly why so many connect with her. She built a loyal fanbase by embracing the relatable, even the 'cringe,' and turning it into something deeply personal. Anyone who says she can't write should listen to 'Folklore' and 'Evermore', both masterclasses in expressing emotions so complex that no other words could capture them better. She tackles nostalgia, longing, regret, betrayal, grief, and hope all in the span of one album. Even now, after winning 14 Grammys and leading one of the biggest tours in the world for nearly two years (and I was lucky enough to see her live), she remains grounded, warm, and effortlessly relatable. Watching her perform, I was struck by how someone so beautiful, talented, and successful could radiate such humility and genuine connection. Her 'New Heights' appearance only reinforced that. She's still in touch with what her fans think and want. And honestly, why would I listen to artists who only sing about money or belittling others? That's not my life. My life is about heartbreaks, career struggles, and everyday moments, and that's exactly what Swift puts into her music. That's what makes her special. And not to forget, she's maintained an extraordinary momentum. Between 'Midnights', a historic two-year tour, the re-releases of '1989' and TTPD, and now 'The Life of a Showgirl', Swift is operating on a level unmatched in the industry. Creating an entire album in the midst of one of the biggest tours in history is nothing short of remarkable. Truly, nobody is doing it like her.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Taylor Swift's new album sparks conspiracy theories about Lady Gaga, Travis Kelce, and a secret follow-up album
Taylor Swift may have just announced her most orange-coded mystery yet. The 14-time Grammy winner is set to release her 12th album, 'The Life of a Showgirl,' and Swifties have already jumped down the rabbit hole, decoding clues from Travis Kelce's connection to Vegas lights. Swift, who appeared on the New Heights podcast to announce her new album, might have dropped hints that the project is split into two halves, showing both the fame and the toll that comes with it, and how that may have affected her Eras Tour and personal relationship with Travis Kelce. Orange sequins, casino-lights and Vegas-ready vibes have fans wondering if the 'Cruel Summer' singer is finally ready for a traditional concert residency. The album title and aesthetics immediately give the vibe of Las Vegas residencies. The theme, especially the bejeweled music video shown in photos posted 12 minutes after the 12th album was announced, and Swift performing a burlesque-style dance, all point to the spectacle Vegas is known for. Also read: Taylor Swift announces her 12th studio album 'The Life of a Showgirl' after boyfriend Travis Kelce hints at her appearance on his podcast Remember the time when Taylor Swift burned down the pastel Lover house in 'The Man' video? Her fans now see the same as a symbolic burning down of her old era to rise as a glitzy showgirl. The orange palette that Swift debuted is also not new, since it's tied to earlier visuals in 'Midnights' and 'Anti-Hero'. Fans believe Showgirl was originally the follow-up to 'Midnights' but got delayed after 'The Tortured Poets Department' was announced. The album has now been rebranded as her comeback, and many have labelled it a 'sister album' to 'Midnights.' One of the brainier fan theories suggests the copper oxidation changes from orange to green in the teased materials of the album. This might suggest fame's transformation, connecting dots to the green-and-orange briefcase shown during the New Heights podcast.. The new 'copper' represents the start of a performer's legacy, full of energy, ambition, and glamour. The 'oxidised' green, meanwhile, represents the wisdom, experience, and perhaps the wear and tear that comes with a long career full of the spotlight. 'The colour scheme is copper oxidising because a showgirl is on a pedestal for the world and over time, in the public eye, they lose their shine… the weathering from being the target for the world's misogyny,' a fan commented on the poster. Another wrote, 'I FOUND AN EASTER EGG IN THE KARMA MV—the SHOWGIRL version of Taylor on an hourglass transitions into her wearing green, then fades into copper. This symbolises copper oxidising over time and hints at the themes of this album. The most common example to justify this theory is the Statue of Liberty, which is made of copper and has turned green over time.' The theory suggests this might be a remark on fame, time, and legacy. Also read: Hollywood's biggest fears about Donald Trump are coming true: From Taylor Swift to Stephen Colbert, what celebs got right about Trump's second term After the surprise drop of TTPD, Swifties think we're getting two albums. Orange for the 'life,' dark blue for the 'death.' A user wrote, 'Y'all act like she's not going to release 'The Life of a Showgirl' at midnight followed up by 'The Death of a Showgirl' at 3:00 AM with all of Jack and Aaron songs your little hearts desire.' Another said, 'i'm partial to the theory that it's a double drop: the life of a showgirl / the death of a star. this quote, dying star visual in Karma, the 22s in the playlist (like the ttpd) her continual examination of fame's horrors and the tension between the self and the performance.' Lady Gaga's Applause dropped 12 years ago to the day Taylor announced Showgirl. The singer even used it as her Eras Tour walk-on song. She liked a fan post calling the connection 'clinically insane.' Rumours of collab refuse to die. From the Empire State Building's orange lights to Swift's 12-slide Instagram shoutout ending with Sabrina Carpenter, the tangerine aesthetic has fans convinced of a new era, especially since the singer has retained her masters' rights. Orange also alludes to Travis Kelce's Chiefs colours; the combination of red and gold makes the whole thing feel like a showmance-coded album rollout.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Amid NYC outing with Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift hits major milestone with 'Midnights'
Taylor Swift's "Midnights" has been lauded by Rolling Stone as the greatest tenth studio album by a female artist (Getty Images) While Taylor Swift may be enjoying a rare break from her intense touring schedule, her influence in the music world remains louder than ever. The pop megastar has just notched another defining moment in her career—one that solidifies her place among music royalty. And she did it all while keeping things low-key with boyfriend Travis Kelce during a casual New York City outing. 'Midnights' gets crowned by Rolling Stone , ranks among the most iconic tenth albums in history Taylor Swift's critically acclaimed 2022 album 'Midnights' has officially been recognized by Rolling Stone as the greatest tenth studio album by a female artist released this century. That's no small feat, especially considering the powerhouse names she's competing with. The magazine ranked Midnights at No. 21 overall on its expansive list of the best tenth albums of all time—across all genres and eras. — theswiftmuseum (@theswiftmuseum) The only female artist ahead of Swift on that list is the legendary Aretha Franklin, whose 1967 masterpiece 'I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You' holds an even more exalted position. This recognition places Swift in historic company and cements Midnights as one of the most impactful modern pop albums in recent memory. New recognition follows a major personal win and relaxed moments with Travis Kelce This milestone arrives just days after Swift made headlines for another massive career move—regaining full ownership of her music catalog masters, a victory that's been years in the making. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo At the same time, she's been spotted more often by fans, including a sweet appearance with Travis Kelce in NYC following the tight end's minicamp with the Kansas City Chiefs. While Swift has stayed out of the spotlight musically in 2025, the impact of her past work continues to echo. She hasn't released new material this year, instead choosing to unwind after her record-shattering Eras Tour, which featured 149 shows in 21 countries. Also Read: Travis Kelce wins over Swifties with one subtle but powerful move that proves his love for Taylor Swift is real Though 2025 may seem like a slower year for Swift on the surface, the Midnights accolade proves that her art continues to resonate deeply. As she prepares to support Kelce in the NFL season ahead, one thing's clear—Taylor Swift's cultural reign continues, even in silence. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Taylor Swift shared a sweet selfie with a fan at Oilers-Panthers
For one Taylor Swift fan, Thursday night at the Stanley Cup Final became a night they'd never forget. The 14-time Grammy winning singer attended Game 4 between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers with boyfriend Travis Kelce. Swift and Kelce seemingly had a blast as the couple took in the game action with all the drama on the ice, got snapped canoodling and even became a fun meme that everyone shared. At one point, the The Tortured Poets Department singer posed to take a selfie with a young fan in the adjoining suite. After snapping a couple pics, Swift made sure to have the fan show off her cardigan -- which was one of the merchandise options for Swift's 2022 Midnights album -- for the camera. It was an adorable moment and the resulting picture is one she will certainly cherish. 🚨| Taylor telling the fan to show off her 'Midnights' cardigan for the photo 💙! — Taylor Swift Updates (@TSUpdating) June 13, 2025 She wasn't the only one in the suite that got to have a memorable night as Swift greeted everyone and made a little boy's night by bringing Kelce over to say hello. 🚨| Taylor Swift met a fan and took several pictures with her— she complimented her 'Midnights' cardigan and said hi to her friends! —Taylor also greeted other fans nearby and even called Travis over when they asked if they could meet him too🥹! — Taylor Swift Updates (@TSUpdating) June 13, 2025 Truly a magical night for those Florida fans (minus the outcome of the game). This article originally appeared on For The Win: Taylor Swift selfie with a fan at Oilers vs. Panthers was so sweet
USA Today
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Taylor Swift shared a sweet selfie with a fan at Oilers-Panthers
Taylor Swift shared a sweet selfie with a fan at Oilers-Panthers 🚨| Taylor telling the fan to show off her 'Midnights' cardigan for the photo 💙! — Taylor Swift Updates (@TSUpdating) June 13, 2025 For one Taylor Swift fan, Thursday night at the Stanley Cup Final became a night they'd never forget. The 14-time Grammy winning singer attended Game 4 between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers with boyfriend Travis Kelce. Swift and Kelce seemingly had a blast as the couple took in the game action with all the drama on the ice, got snapped canoodling and even became a fun meme that everyone shared. At one point, the The Tortured Poets Department singer posed to take a selfie with a young fan in the adjoining suite. After snapping a couple pics, Swift made sure to have the fan show off her cardigan -- which was one of the merchandise options for Swift's 2022 Midnights album -- for the camera. It was an adorable moment and the resulting picture is one she will certainly cherish. She wasn't the only one in the suite that got to have a memorable night as Swift greeted everyone and made a little boy's night by bringing Kelce over to say hello. 🚨| Taylor Swift met a fan and took several pictures with her— she complimented her 'Midnights' cardigan and said hi to her friends! —Taylor also greeted other fans nearby and even called Travis over when they asked if they could meet him too🥹! — Taylor Swift Updates (@TSUpdating) June 13, 2025 Truly a magical night for those Florida fans (minus the outcome of the game).
