Swifties have long suspected that the singer’s 12th studio album was on the way. Now that the announcement is official, here’s what we know
Taylor Swift has a long history of leaving Easter eggs for her fans, and the past several months have been no exception. From colour-coded moments on stage to cryptic social media activity, Swifties have long suspected that the singer’s 12th studio album, nicknamed “TS12” online, was on the way. Now that the announcement is official, here’s what we know so far.
Drumroll, please… Swift revealed that the new album is called The Life of a Showgirl. The news broke in a clip shared by Travis and Jason Kelce’s New Heights podcast. She reveals the cover art to them, but it’s blurred in the footage. The full episode is set to air at 7 P.M. ET on August 13, her well-known favourite number.
The singer has historically favoured one-word names (Lover, folklore, Midnights), but her most recent project, The Tortured Poets Department, broke that pattern.
When will The Life of a Showgirl be released?
While Swift hasn’t confirmed a release date, it’s clear that the project will be here soon. Pre-orders are now available on her website.
If you’re looking for a hint: The vinyls will be shipped before Oct. 13, 2025, but Swift’s merch site specifies, “THIS IS NOT THE RELEASE DATE, OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED.”
In the lead up to this month’s news, eagle-eyed fans have spotted some hints that new music was coming. In May, Swift shared a letter on her official site celebrating that she now owns the masters to her entire discography, a milestone she described as “the best thing that has ever been ours.” Notably, the letter contained the phrase “I was thiiiiiiiiiiiis close” with 12 “i”s, prompting fans to see a link to her 12th studio album.
Adding to the intrigue, Taylor Nation, the singer’s official fan engagement account, has been hosting listening parties for each of her past albums in chronological order; some hypothesized the rollout was counting down to a major announcement.
Plus, during select Eras Tour performances, Swift swapped in orange confetti and outfits, a shade not tied to any of her existing eras, leading fans to believe it could be connected to the theme or visual identity of her next album. That theory only grew after a Taylor Nation Instagram post on August 11 showed 12 photos of Swift in orange outfits, captioned, “Thinking about when she said ‘See you next era…’ ❤️🔥”
The same day, Swift’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce, teased a “VERY special guest” for his New Heights podcast against an orange backdrop; hours later, the podcast confirmed (with a very flirty clip) that the guest is indeed Miss Taylor Alison Swift.
How many tracks will be on the album?
Tracklist details are still unknown. Swift’s past projects have ranged from the concise (1989’s 13 tracks) to the expansive (Tortured Poets’ 31).
What will the album sound like?
Shortly after she announced the album, Swift shared a playlist called “And, baby, that’s showbiz for you ❤️🔥,” perhaps hinting at the vibe of The Life of a Showgirl. It comprises of 22 songs from her past albums Red, 1989, and Reputation. Tracks include, “22,” “Bad Blood,” “Blank Space,” “Delicate,” “I Knew You Were Trouble,” “Shake It Off,” “Style,” “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” and more. Notably, they are all original recordings of the songs, not re-recordings, except for “Message in a Bottle (Taylor’s Version)” from Red (Taylor’s Version).
Has Swift referenced showgirls in the past?
She has—multiple times. In the singer’s Easter egg-filled “Bejeweled” music video, from her Midnights era, Swift performs Dita Von Teese’s famous martini glass dance alongside the burlesque star. In a different scene, she dresses up as a showgirl in a glittery two-piece set with, notably, an orange light shining on her.
After releasing her last album, The Tortured Poets Department, Swift also added a showgirl-inspired performance to the Eras Tour, set to her song “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart.” In behind-the-scenes footage from rehearsals, Swift’s background dancers can be seen holding orange fans.
And, most importantly, back in June 2024, Travis Kelce joined Swift onstage for this very number.
What else has Swift said about the new album?
Apart from the master’s announcement and Taylor Nation’s “See you next era…” tease, Swift has remained publicly silent on TS12—but that hasn’t stopped her fans from piecing together clues. She’ll likely give more details when she sits down with the Kelces on New Heights.
