Taylor Swift’s Release Party of a Showgirl: What We Learned

In honor of the launch of The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift welcomed her fans at movie theaters worldwide, offering them exclusive behind-the-scenes looks at her creative journey.

“[This album] drew inspiration from one of the most remarkable periods in my life, one that was so thrilling because you all made the Eras Tour what it turned out to be,” said Swift, 35, in a recorded message that came along with the premiere footage, addressing her supporters. “The feeling of that tour, the way it illuminated my life, was a constant thread while creating this music. Thank you for being the hidden inspiration throughout this process. I absorbed all of that love, channeled it into the album, and now it’s finally out!”

She continued, “I’m delighted that you wished to celebrate this with me, and I can’t thank you enough for your unwavering support over the years. None of this would be possible without you, and I wish you all the best as you go about your day.”

Swift penned and recorded The Life of the Showgirl while on the European leg of her Eras Tour in 2024, capturing her life beyond the spotlight.

The pop icon’s twelfth album dropped exactly at midnight on Friday, October 3, with the “Release Party of a Showgirl” events commencing hours later at 3 p.m. ET, showcasing the premiere of the music video for “The Fate of Ophelia” along with detailed analyses of each track on the album.

Continue reading for Us Weekly’s primary highlights from the cinematic experience:

Lights, Camera, Action!

After a countdown reminiscent of the Eras Tour that clocked in at 12 seconds, Swift greeted her audience with a pre-recorded introduction expressing how the LP represented an “electrifying [and] thrilling moment” in her journey. This led to the exclusive debut of the music video for “The Fate of Ophelia,” set to be uploaded on YouTube on Sunday, October 5, right after the final cinematic screening wraps up.

The video features Swift alongside her Eras backup dancers and musicians, showcasing her in a variety of different scenes. She seamlessly transitions from Hamlet’s Ophelia to a fab showgirl reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe, a 1960s girl group singer, a synchronized swimmer, and even a legendary warrior similar to Joan of Arc. Many scenes mirror Swift’s glamorous Showgirl photoshoots, where she is portrayed as a showgirl in a dressing room or relaxing in a hotel bathtub at the end of a busy day. Naturally, the video includes subtle Easter eggs for fans to decode.

The clip concludes with Swift in the bathtub, donning a sequined corset, which harks back to a celebrated portrait of Ophelia.

“I wanted the framing to emulate the album cover, matching it closely,” she explained. “This way, people will realize that the cover references the Ophelia painting, and the video ending comes full circle with the cover. Art history, indeed!”

In the Director’s Chair

Following the video, Swift unveiled a series of behind-the-scenes clips documenting her three-week rehearsal period with dancers, crew, and choreographer Mandy Moore. Swift took on the roles of both writer and director for the “Fate of Ophelia” video, aiming to encapsulate a “journey through different eras.”

“One could embody a showgirl as a cabaret or burlesque performer, a theatrical actor putting on a show, a Vegas showgirl, or someone from the Busby Berkeley films of the ’30s and ’40s,” she noted of her artistic intention. “You could also be a pop singer on The Eras Tour, depicting all these time periods and different characters throughout the storyline.”

Swift emphasized her desire to fill each frame with “lots of intricate details,” including many involving water scenes in homage to Ophelia’s tragic drowning in the original Shakespeare play.

All Sorts of Easter Eggs and Cameos

Eagle-eyed fans will recognize all of Swift’s Eras team in the video, from dancers Jan Ravnik and Kam Saunders to guitarist Paul Sidoti. A sly touch includes a quick appearance by one of Swift’s homemade sourdough loaves.

“That would be a fun addition,” she joked while brainstorming about her baked goods making an appearance in such a theatrical production. Swift even took on a stage mom role for her round loaf, making sure it looked perfect on a platter between takes.

A notable Easter egg to watch out for involves references to her fiancé Travis Kelce. In one shot, Swift rides on a hotel room service cart and catches a football thrown her way before tossing it back effortlessly. So, perhaps Swift is well-versed in both football and Aristotle?

What’s Up with Taylor Swift’s Finger Splint?

In the behind-the-scenes footage, Swift is seen wearing a splint on her index finger. She explained to her dancers that it was due to an accident with glass bowls while baking, but assured them all was fine.

Breaking It Down

A significant portion of the screening focused on original clips of Swift discussing each of the 12 tracks from Showgirl. She described how “Elizabeth Taylor” merges cosplay and reality, drawing comparisons between her life and that of the iconic actress. Swift revealed that “Opalite” stemmed from her and her mom Andrea’s mutual love for opals, and provided insight into the emotionally charged Track No. 5, “Eldest Daughter,” which explores the themes of unmasking perfectionism common among firstborn daughters.

“I thought it was intriguing to utilize the song, ‘I’ll be your father figure,’ as a creative writing exercise, crafting a narrative about power dynamics and the evolution of a young ingenue and their mentor, filled with themes of betrayal, cunning, and cleverness,” Swift stated regarding her creation of “Father Figure” from the album. “I adore that track because I can connect with both roles during varying parts of the song.”

Is ‘Actually Romantic’ About Charli XCX?

True Swifties understand that the artist seldom names her lyrical muses; however, fans speculated that the song is directed at the “Brat” singer.

“The song ‘Actually Romantic’ serves as something of a love note to someone who might not feel positively towards you,” she explained during the screening. “Sometimes you realize you’re intertwined in someone else’s narratives without even knowing. There can come these moments where [it’s revealed] through pronounced actions. As I’ve matured, I’ve recognized how much effort they put into it, which is flattering. I harbor no animosity, and it doesn’t occupy my thoughts all that much.”

Did Taylor Swift Reference Travis Kelce?

Aside from the football reference, Swift refrained from mentioning the Kansas City Chiefs tight end directly and only hinted at her feelings regarding their time together.

“The song ‘Wish List’ is one that I am particularly fond of because it’s truly romantic, filled with vivid imagery of diverse wishes people have for their dream lives,” she reflected. “It expresses acceptance of all those wishes… and in the chorus, it’s like, ‘This is what I desire. I hope they find what they want. This is my wish.’” I adore this song. It evokes a sense of soaring through clouds.”

In her lyrics, Swift revealed desires that included building a family and having a backyard with a “basketball hoop.”

Meanwhile, Swift indicated that “Honey” focuses on redefining pet names that have historically been passive-aggressive when they come from a place of genuine sincerity.

“It genuinely feels different from anything we’ve previously created,” she elaborated. “When someone sincerely calls you ‘honey,’ it turns out to be fantastic. It feels wonderful… a person coming into your life and repurposing those very words can turn them sweet, making you genuinely appreciate how nice that feels.”

As a devoted admirer of Shakespeare, Swift elaborated on the romantic nuances of crafting “The Fate of Ophelia.”

“Seeing ‘the fate of Ophelia’ in my songwriting journal made me ponder, ‘Ophelia succumbed to her despair because Hamlet drove her mad, gaslighting her until she couldn’t endure it anymore,” she reflected. “What if I flipped the script and made the hook about how you’ve saved my heart from Ophelia’s tragic fate? Essentially, you’re the reason I didn’t end up as a tragic, poetic character in a story.”

Although Swift spoke beautifully about “Wish List,” “The Fate of Ophelia,” and “Honey,” she remained vague about the track titled “Wood,” as its lyrics appear to hint at Kelce’s physique and elements of their intimate life. All screened videos were the clean versions, hence the lyric “open my thighs” was altered to the child-friendly “open my skies.”

“Wood’ discusses superstitions, including knocking on wood, black cats, and the like,” she mentioned in a brief 21-second video. “And various things of that nature.”

At the end of the segment, Swift offered the camera a playful glance as the audience erupted in laughter, given that the lyrics hinted otherwise. (For more about the provocative song, click here.)

The Backstory of ‘Cancelled!’

Since the album’s simultaneous release, fans have debated whether “Cancelled” references the star’s friend Brittany Mahomes or her previous friendship with Blake Lively. (Swift distanced herself from Lively earlier this year after her friend faced backlash over the It Ends With Us lawsuit, following Swift’s being subpoenaed by director Justin Baldoni. Swift has reiterated that she had no involvement in the film at all.)

“This song offers a tongue-in-cheek insight into the social outrage that so many face today,” Swift expressed about the track. “You can feel canceled from any sort of societal reaction you encounter. I’ve navigated a great deal of scrutiny regarding everything in my life—both what I do and say. Thus, I often find myself as the go-to figure when others encounter backlash.”

She continued, “I aimed to write a song illustrating how one can grow wiser and sharper from these experiences, and I’ve learned to judge others much less now that I’ve been scrutinized for so long. I rely on my firsthand experience and the actions of those I know rather than accepting the majority’s perception, which might label someone as ‘toxic.’ I refuse to do that unless they genuinely prove to be unworthy of my respect.”

Introducing a Special Guest

The title track, which Swift referred to as the “album closer,” features a duet with her friend Sabrina Carpenter.

“The song narrates the experience of being inspired and cautioned by someone, and the decision of whether to heed their advice or not,” Swift shared. “Upon completing [the writing], I knew I had to get Sabrina to contribute, as she is a dear friend, one of my favorite artists, and has been an opening act for the Eras Tour. She possesses immense talent and the strength to navigate criticism — truly a showgirl at heart!”

Given that Swift’s song shares the same “mentality” as Carpenter, she sought the latter’s participation on the track.

“Her reaction was one of sheer delight; she was like, ‘Are you kidding me? I’m absolutely in!’” Swift recalled when she approached Carpenter to feature on the project. “While on her tour in Sweden, she dedicated her day off to recording it. That’s a true showgirl spirit!”

The Release Party of a Showgirl is currently screening in theaters until Sunday, October 5.