Iconic pop singer-songwriter Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” on Oct. 3, 2025. The heavily anticipated album was inspired by her work on “The Eras Tour” and her relationship — now engagement — with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
With over 6 million pre-saves on Spotify, the album surpassed the previously held record of the most pre-saved album in Spotify history. The previous record was also held by Swift for her 11th album, “The Tortured Poet’s Department.”
Fans suspected that the album’s primary color would be orange for months prior to the announcement. Swift takes pride in leaving clues for her fans, known as “Easter eggs,” and did so when she exited “The Eras Tour” stage through an orange door at the end of the last performance in December 2024.
Swift did not share the album’s cover art with her fans when announcing the album’s title and release date. On an episode of Kelce’s podcast, “New Heights,” the singer made her podcasting debut and revealed the art for the album.
“The Life of a Showgirl” features 12 tracks spanning about 41 minutes, with content comprised of love songs, diss tracks and even some scandalous scenarios.
FSU students: ‘Basic’ lyrics, but ‘fire regardless’
The album radiates upbeat energy with undoubtedly catchy verses but, similar to the release of any album, fans were quick to critique the work. A plethora of social media posts emerged after the album’s release to criticize the artist’s so-called deceptive marketing approach and “basic” lyric choices.
“I never love albums on the first listen, but I was hooked on this one after giving it two thorough listens. I love how upbeat, fun and exciting it is,” nursing major Mary Grace Walters said. “Music straying from an artist’s typical genre is never an issue until it’s Taylor Swift … the album was not my favorite work of hers, but it was fire regardless.”
Many fans were surprised to hear the album was different from what was expected. Users took to social media to inquire if others were confused, as the album’s melodies have a more modern feel compared to the vintage theme that was featured in the album’s marketing.
“I think it accomplished exactly what she meant for it. People hated on [The Tortured Poets Department] because it was ‘too wordy’ and now they are hating on this because it is ‘too simple,’” sophomore Sydney Vinson said. “People are missing the point — a showgirl has to be bright and flashy to keep the people’s attention. I have been listening to it nonstop and truly love it so much.”
Although the album didn’t deliver as fans had expected, it still topped the charts. Since its release, it has risen to the top 10 for the highest number of streams in a single week in American History.
“I think it’s over-hated. I will say, I don’t like ‘Eldest Daughter,’ and I am a big track five person, but overall people are just hating, I think, simply because of the bandwagon of it,” graduate student Gabriella Behar said. “It is definitely not my favorite album, but to discredit it from the rest of her work is a bit ridiculous.”
London Jackoboice is a Staff Writer for the FSView & Florida Flambeau, the student-run, independent online news service for the FSU community. Email our staff at contact@fsview.com.
This article originally appeared on FSU News: Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ draws mixed reactions from FSU students
Reporting by London Jackoboice, Staff Writer / FSU News
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