Taylor Swift Sets Stage for 12th Album The Life of a Showgirl — Full Tracklist, Collaborations, and Release Date
The spotlight is on Taylor Swift once again, and the countdown has officially begun. The global pop phenomenon has unveiled her next studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, sending Swifties into a frenzy of speculation, excitement, and pre-release playlist building.
This marks Swift’s 12th studio album and comes just under a year and a half after her previous record, The Tortured Poets Department, which dropped on April 19, 2024. The new project signals yet another creative shift for the artist who has built her career on reinvention.
A Surprise Announcement with a Personal Touch
Fans have come to expect the unexpected from Swift. Over the years she has introduced albums in ways that have kept her audience guessing, from wiping her entire social media clean ahead of Reputation, to announcing Folklore just 24 hours before its release, to teasing Midnights track names through her quirky “Midnights Mayhem With Me” video series.
This time, the reveal was even more personal. Swift chose the New Heights podcast, co-hosted by her boyfriend and NFL star Travis Kelce alongside his brother Jason Kelce, as the stage for her big news.
Near the end of the episode, she appeared with a mint green briefcase, her initials “T.S.” emblazoned in orange on the front. Opening it with a smile, she unveiled the album cover and tracklist for The Life of a Showgirl.
“This is my brand-new album, The Life of a Showgirl,” she announced, prompting Jason Kelce to shout in excitement.
“TS 12!” Travis Kelce added proudly.
“This is my brand-new album, The Life of a Showgirl,” she announced, prompting Jason Kelce to shout in excitement.
The Official Tracklist for The Life of a Showgirl
Swift confirmed the album will feature exactly 12 songs and directly dismissed fan theories suggesting there would be hidden or surprise tracks like she had done with Midnights and The Tortured Poets Department.
Tracklist
- The Fate of Ophelia
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Opalite
- Father Figure
- Eldest Daughter
- Ruin the Friendship
- Actually Romantic
- Wi$h Li$t
- Wood
- Cancelled!
- Honey
- The Life of a Showgirl (featuring Sabrina Carpenter)
Swifties love a hidden meaning, and the release date is no exception
Longtime collaborators Max Martin and Shellback are back in the mix for this record. Swift had hinted at their involvement earlier through a Spotify playlist titled and baby that's show business for you, which included 22 tracks she had previously worked on with the duo for Red, 1989, and Reputation.
The title track features singer Sabrina Carpenter, who has a history with Swift as an opening act during the Eras Tour. Carpenter expressed her excitement on Instagram, writing, “I know someone who's freaking out and it’s me.”
Fans were quick to spot “August 12 2025” on Carpenter’s website and a Taylor Nation post showing the two together. In that image, Swift wore an orange dress, a color fans now link closely with this new musical era.
Collaborations and Creative Partners
A Release Date with Swiftian Significance
Swifties love a hidden meaning, and the release date is no exception. The Life of a Showgirl arrives on October 3, 2025. For those unfamiliar with Swift’s numerology, her lucky number is 13, and the date choice is no coincidence. The 3rd day of the 10th month adds up neatly to 13, making it a perfect fit for the album’s debut.
