The Life of a Showgirl
Updated: 5/24/2026, 7:07:51 PM Wikipedia source
The Life of a Showgirl is the twelfth studio album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was released on October 3, 2025, through Republic Records. Swift recorded it in Sweden with the producers Max Martin and Shellback, during the European leg of the Eras Tour in mid-2024. Inspired by the tour and her romantic relationship with the football player Travis Kelce, she conceived The Life of a Showgirl as a vibrant and lively album that reflected her triumphant state of mind. Musically, The Life of a Showgirl is a soft pop and soft rock record about Swift's fame and contentment in love. Its songs feature new wave-leaning arrangements and minimalist production built around piano, guitars, banjos, synthesizers, strings, and keyboards. The album's title track features guest vocals from the singer Sabrina Carpenter. Swift adopted a flamboyant, showgirl-inspired art direction for the album, collaborating with the fashion photographers Mert and Marcus. Journalists described it as the most provocative and glamorous visual aesthetic of her career. Swift announced the album on Kelce's podcast, New Heights, on August 13, 2025. She supported the album with interviews on talk shows and radio programs and released the promotional film The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, which grossed over $50 million worldwide. Three singles were released: the US Billboard Hot 100 number-ones "The Fate of Ophelia" and "Opalite", and the top-three entry "Elizabeth Taylor". The album polarized music critics; praise was directed at its breezy sound and lighthearted lyrics, while criticism dubbed it a regression from Swift's previous works. The Life of a Showgirl topped the charts and received multi-platinum certifications across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. In the United States, it became the fastest-selling album in history, moving over 4 million album-equivalent units in its first week. It became Swift's 15th number-one album on the Billboard 200 chart—the most for any soloist—and spent 12 weeks atop the chart. The album's songs occupied the entire top 12 spots of the singles charts in Australia, Canada, and the United States. The Life of a Showgirl was the global best-selling album of 2025 and won various awards, including a Premios Odeón, a Japan Gold Disc Award, and two iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Infobox
Released
October 3, 2025 (2025-10-03)
Studio
MXM Shellback (Stockholm)
Genre
Soft pop soft rock
Length
41:40
Label
Republic
Producer
Max Martin Shellback Taylor Swift
Tables
Professional ratings · Critical reception › Reviews
Source
Source
Aggregate scores
Source
Aggregate scores
Rating
AnyDecentMusic?
AnyDecentMusic?
Aggregate scores
AnyDecentMusic?
Aggregate scores
6 /10
Metacritic
Metacritic
Aggregate scores
Metacritic
Aggregate scores
69/100
Review scores
Review scores
Aggregate scores
Review scores
Source
Source
Aggregate scores
Source
Aggregate scores
Rating
AllMusic
AllMusic
Aggregate scores
AllMusic
Aggregate scores
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Aggregate scores
The Daily Telegraph
Aggregate scores
The Guardian
The Guardian
Aggregate scores
The Guardian
Aggregate scores
The Independent
The Independent
Aggregate scores
The Independent
Aggregate scores
NME
NME
Aggregate scores
NME
Aggregate scores
The London Standard
The London Standard
Aggregate scores
The London Standard
Aggregate scores
Pitchfork
Pitchfork
Aggregate scores
Pitchfork
Aggregate scores
5 /10
PopMatters
PopMatters
Aggregate scores
PopMatters
Aggregate scores
9/10
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Aggregate scores
Rolling Stone
Aggregate scores
The Times
The Times
Aggregate scores
The Times
Aggregate scores
| Aggregate scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 6 /10 |
| Metacritic | 69/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| The Daily Telegraph | |
| The Guardian | |
| The Independent | |
| NME | |
| The London Standard | |
| Pitchfork | 5 /10 |
| PopMatters | 9/10 |
| Rolling Stone | |
| The Times | |
Awards and nominations · Accolades
American Music Awards
American Music Awards
Award
American Music Awards
Year
2026
Category
Album of the Year
Result
Pending
Best Pop Album
Best Pop Album
Award
Best Pop Album
Year
Pending
Asian Pop Music Awards
Asian Pop Music Awards
Award
Asian Pop Music Awards
Year
2025
Category
Global Artist Award
Result
Nominated
Humo's Pop Poll
Humo's Pop Poll
Award
Humo's Pop Poll
Year
2025
Category
Best International Album
Result
Won
Hungarian Music Awards
Hungarian Music Awards
Award
Hungarian Music Awards
Year
2026
Category
Foreign Classic Pop-Rock Album of the Year
Result
Nominated
IFPI Awards
IFPI Awards
Award
IFPI Awards
Year
2026
Category
Global Album of the Year
Result
Won
Global Sales Album of the Year
Global Sales Album of the Year
Award
Global Sales Album of the Year
Year
Won
Global Vinyl Album of the Year
Global Vinyl Album of the Year
Award
Global Vinyl Album of the Year
Year
Won
iHeartRadio Music Awards
iHeartRadio Music Awards
Award
iHeartRadio Music Awards
Year
2026
Category
Album of the Year
Result
Won
Pop Album of the Year
Pop Album of the Year
Award
Pop Album of the Year
Year
Won
Japan Gold Disc Awards
Japan Gold Disc Awards
Award
Japan Gold Disc Awards
Year
2026
Category
Best 3 Albums (Western)
Result
Won
NetEase Annual Music Awards
NetEase Annual Music Awards
Award
NetEase Annual Music Awards
Year
2025
Category
English Album of the Year
Result
Won
Premios Odeón
Premios Odeón
Award
Premios Odeón
Year
2026
Category
Best International Album
Result
Won
| Award | Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
| American Music Awards | 2026 | Album of the Year | Pending | |
| Best Pop Album | Pending | |||
| Asian Pop Music Awards | 2025 | Global Artist Award | Nominated | |
| Humo's Pop Poll | 2025 | Best International Album | Won | |
| Hungarian Music Awards | 2026 | Foreign Classic Pop-Rock Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| IFPI Awards | 2026 | Global Album of the Year | Won | |
| Global Sales Album of the Year | Won | |||
| Global Vinyl Album of the Year | Won | |||
| iHeartRadio Music Awards | 2026 | Album of the Year | Won | |
| Pop Album of the Year | Won | |||
| Japan Gold Disc Awards | 2026 | Best 3 Albums (Western) | Won | |
| NetEase Annual Music Awards | 2025 | English Album of the Year | Won | |
| Premios Odeón | 2026 | Best International Album | Won |
Weekly chart performance · Charts › Weekly charts
Argentine Albums (CAPIF)
Argentine Albums (CAPIF)
Chart (2025)
Argentine Albums (CAPIF)
Peak
position
1
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Chart (2025)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Peak
position
1
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Chart (2025)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Peak
position
1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Chart (2025)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Peak
position
1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Chart (2025)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Peak
position
1
Canadian Albums (Billboard)
Canadian Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2025)
Canadian Albums (Billboard)
Peak
position
1
Croatian International Albums (HDU)
Croatian International Albums (HDU)
Chart (2025)
Croatian International Albums (HDU)
Peak
position
1
Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI)
Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI)
Chart (2025)
Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI)
Peak
position
1
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)
Chart (2025)
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)
Peak
position
1
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Chart (2025)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Peak
position
1
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)
Chart (2025)
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)
Peak
position
1
French Albums (SNEP)
French Albums (SNEP)
Chart (2025)
French Albums (SNEP)
Peak
position
1
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (2025)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Peak
position
1
German Pop Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Pop Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (2025)
German Pop Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Peak
position
1
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Chart (2025)
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Peak
position
1
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)
Chart (2025)
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)
Peak
position
1
Icelandic Albums (Tónlistinn)
Icelandic Albums (Tónlistinn)
Chart (2025)
Icelandic Albums (Tónlistinn)
Peak
position
1
Irish Albums (OCC)
Irish Albums (OCC)
Chart (2025)
Irish Albums (OCC)
Peak
position
1
Italian Albums (FIMI)
Italian Albums (FIMI)
Chart (2025)
Italian Albums (FIMI)
Peak
position
1
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Chart (2025)
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Peak
position
16
Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon)
Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon)
Chart (2025)
Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon)
Peak
position
15
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)
Chart (2025)
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)
Peak
position
4
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)
Chart (2025)
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)
Peak
position
1
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Chart (2025)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Peak
position
1
Nigerian Albums (TurnTable)
Nigerian Albums (TurnTable)
Chart (2025)
Nigerian Albums (TurnTable)
Peak
position
24
Norwegian Albums (IFPI Norge)
Norwegian Albums (IFPI Norge)
Chart (2025)
Norwegian Albums (IFPI Norge)
Peak
position
1
Polish Albums (ZPAV)
Polish Albums (ZPAV)
Chart (2025)
Polish Albums (ZPAV)
Peak
position
1
Portuguese Albums (AFP)
Portuguese Albums (AFP)
Chart (2025)
Portuguese Albums (AFP)
Peak
position
1
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Chart (2025)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Peak
position
1
Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI)
Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI)
Chart (2025)
Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI)
Peak
position
1
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)
Chart (2025)
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)
Peak
position
1
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Chart (2025)
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Peak
position
1
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Chart (2025)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Peak
position
1
UK Albums (OCC)
UK Albums (OCC)
Chart (2025)
UK Albums (OCC)
Peak
position
1
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (2025)
US Billboard 200
Peak
position
1
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
| Argentine Albums (CAPIF) | 1 |
| Australian Albums (ARIA) | 1 |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) | 1 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) | 1 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) | 1 |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard) | 1 |
| Croatian International Albums (HDU) | 1 |
| Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI) | 1 |
| Danish Albums (Hitlisten) | 1 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) | 1 |
| Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) | 1 |
| French Albums (SNEP) | 1 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 1 |
| German Pop Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 1 |
| Greek Albums (IFPI) | 1 |
| Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ) | 1 |
| Icelandic Albums (Tónlistinn) | 1 |
| Irish Albums (OCC) | 1 |
| Italian Albums (FIMI) | 1 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) | 16 |
| Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon) | 15 |
| Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan) | 4 |
| Lithuanian Albums (AGATA) | 1 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) | 1 |
| Nigerian Albums (TurnTable) | 24 |
| Norwegian Albums (IFPI Norge) | 1 |
| Polish Albums (ZPAV) | 1 |
| Portuguese Albums (AFP) | 1 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC) | 1 |
| Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI) | 1 |
| Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) | 1 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 1 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) | 1 |
| UK Albums (OCC) | 1 |
| US Billboard 200 | 1 |
Monthly chart performance · Charts › Monthly charts
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Chart (2025)
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Position
40
| Chart (2025) | Position |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) | 40 |
Year-end chart performance · Charts › Year-end charts
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Chart (2025)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Position
1
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Chart (2025)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Position
1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Chart (2025)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Position
2
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Chart (2025)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Position
18
Canadian Albums (Billboard)
Canadian Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2025)
Canadian Albums (Billboard)
Position
9
Croatian International Albums (HDU)
Croatian International Albums (HDU)
Chart (2025)
Croatian International Albums (HDU)
Position
8
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)
Chart (2025)
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)
Position
6
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Chart (2025)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Position
3
French Albums (SNEP)
French Albums (SNEP)
Chart (2025)
French Albums (SNEP)
Position
21
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (2025)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Position
1
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)
Chart (2025)
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)
Position
20
Icelandic Albums (Tónlistinn)
Icelandic Albums (Tónlistinn)
Chart (2025)
Icelandic Albums (Tónlistinn)
Position
35
Italian Albums (FIMI)
Italian Albums (FIMI)
Chart (2025)
Italian Albums (FIMI)
Position
29
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Chart (2025)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Position
2
Polish Albums (ZPAV)
Polish Albums (ZPAV)
Chart (2025)
Polish Albums (ZPAV)
Position
12
Japanese Download Albums (Billboard Japan)
Japanese Download Albums (Billboard Japan)
Chart (2025)
Japanese Download Albums (Billboard Japan)
Position
57
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)
Chart (2025)
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)
Position
6
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Chart (2025)
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Position
6
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Chart (2025)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Position
2
UK Albums (OCC)
UK Albums (OCC)
Chart (2025)
UK Albums (OCC)
Position
1
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (2025)
US Billboard 200
Position
1
| Chart (2025) | Position |
| Australian Albums (ARIA) | 1 |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) | 1 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) | 2 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) | 18 |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard) | 9 |
| Croatian International Albums (HDU) | 8 |
| Danish Albums (Hitlisten) | 6 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) | 3 |
| French Albums (SNEP) | 21 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 1 |
| Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ) | 20 |
| Icelandic Albums (Tónlistinn) | 35 |
| Italian Albums (FIMI) | 29 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) | 2 |
| Polish Albums (ZPAV) | 12 |
| Japanese Download Albums (Billboard Japan) | 57 |
| Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) | 6 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 6 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) | 2 |
| UK Albums (OCC) | 1 |
| US Billboard 200 | 1 |
References
- Critics such as Sputnikmusic's staff writer, Hot Press's Tristen Schilling, Clash's Lauren Hague, The A . Club's Mary Ka
- As discussed by The Irish Times's Ed Power, Vulture's Craig Jenkins, The New York Times's Jon Caramanica, People's Jeff
- Journalists such as Harper's Bazaar's Joel Calfee, Marie Claire's Halie LeSavage, USA Today's Anthony Robledo, and The T
- As discussed by HuffPost UK's Daniel Welsh, Reuters's Dawn Chmielewski, The Conversation's Annayah Prosser, The New York
- As discussed by the BBC's Helen Bushby, Ian Youngs, and Steven McIntosh, TheWrap's Alex Welch, Business Insider's Callie
- Critics such as Power, Hodgkinson, Breihan, BBC News's Mark Savage, the Associated Press's Maria Sherman, Rolling Stone'
- Critics such as Power, Savage, Georgi, Lipshutz, and Breihan
- Critics such as Wood, Hague, Consequence's Wren Graves, and The Atlantic's Spencer Kornhaber
- Critics such as Wood, Kornhaber, and The New Yorker's Amanda Petrusich
- Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.
- The Alone in My Tower Acoustic Version contains acoustic versions of "The Fate of Ophelia" and "Eldest Daughter"; The Dr
- The Deluxe Alone in My Tower Acoustic Version contains acoustic versions of "The Fate of Ophelia" and "Eldest Daughter",
- The Deluxe Dressing Room Rehearsal Version contains acoustic versions of "Wish List" and "The Life of a Showgirl", and d
- The Deluxe Life Is a Song Acoustic Version contains acoustic versions of "Opalite" and "Ruin the Friendship", and demo r
- The Deluxe So Glamorous Cabaret Version contains an acoustic version of "Elizabeth Taylor", and demo recordings of "Eliz
- The Deluxe So Punk on the Internet Version contains demo recordings of "The Life of a Showgirl", "The Fate of Ophelia",
- The Acoustic Collection contains acoustic versions of "The Fate of Ophelia", "Eldest Daughter", "Wish List", "The Life o
- Three limited-run vinyl variants were released as part of Swift's holiday merchandise collection.
- The Life of a Showgirlhttps://time.com/7309009/taylor-swift-the-life-of-a-showgirl-new-album-announcement/
- The Life of a Showgirlhttps://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-showgirl-breaks-spotify-pre-saved-album-record-1236056071/