‘The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore’ from a Swiftie’s perspective

BY DREW FLEMING 

Executive Producer 

Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” in October of 2025. It was Swift's first album to be released after her record-shattering Eras Tour, which concluded at the end of 2024. 

“The Life of a Showgirl” had a standard 12 songs, the most notable of the bunch being the lead single, “The Fate of Ophelia,” to which Swift made a music video released in select theaters that was celebrated as “The Official Release Party of a Showgirl.” 

The album went on to be the biggest first-week album in history according to Billboard. 

Swifties around the world were shocked when Swift shared via Instagram on September 23 her gratitude to fans for making “The Life of a Showgirl” the biggest first week for an album in history. 

She celebrated the win by saying, “We did what we do when we feel anything at all: we wrote more songs.” She went on to add that “they [the four encore songs] were born out of pure gratitude.” 

 “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore” features four additional songs, starting with the new single, “Patient Zero.” 

In true Swift fashion, the release of “The Encore” was followed by a surprise music video, which premiered at the MTV Video Music Awards. The “Patient Zero” music video featured Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell. 

As a lifelong Swiftie, the music video added to what I already consider to be my favorite of the four encore songs. 

Swift’s music videos are known for their ability to bring life to her songs, leaving fans searching for “Easter eggs.” 

Swift often puts in little hints, celebrity cameos, and other creative ways to keep fans on their toes for what she’ll be releasing next. 

Perhaps the most discussed song on “The Life of a Showgirl” among the Swiftie community has been “Cleveland!”—the song that fans assume is about Swift’s now-husband, Travis Kelce. 

Fans assume this because of the references to Kelce in the lyrics, as well as Swift being known for using her personal love life as a core influence in her songwriting. 

This drew criticism within the Swiftie community for Swift’s simple wording in “Cleveland!” compared to her more complex, poetry-style lyrics that she has used in past albums. 

However, fans and critics don’t give Swift enough credit for “The Encore” songs. Personally, since I have been a fan of Swift since the age of five, I have seen what her music looks like in every season of her life. 

People are always looking to criticize her and find something wrong with whatever she puts out. The truth is, just like any other musician, fans can’t expect to like every single song Swift puts out. 

Speaking for myself, I think “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore” is a fun addition to her 12th album. 

While the four extra songs aren’t songs I couldn’t live without or will add to my everyday playlist, I still think they’re a good representation of what Swift’s life looks like right now as she enjoys being a newlywed with her husband, Kelce.