Taylor Swift Explains the Secret Recording Sessions in Europe That Led to Her 12th Album 'The Life of a Showgirl'

Taylor Swift revealed she built her 12th album in the middle of her busiest tour schedule.

While performing across the globe on the "Eras" Tour, Swift slipped away to Europe for secret studio sessions, often flying to Sweden on her days off to record.

According to Complex, she described the process on fiancé Travis Kelce's "New Heights" podcast, explaining that she would perform three nights in a row, then head overseas to work with Max Martin and Shellback before returning to the stage.

The pace, she admitted, left her "physically exhausted" but "so mentally stimulated and so excited to be creating."

These works in "The Life of a Showgirl" brought Swift together again with Martin and Shellback, who have been one of the major influences in her pop career. The 12^th album is different from the past ones in that it features no other collaborators.

Swift disclosed that it was the first time that they three had done a record just for themselves, which made the songs more concise.

During the recording of the podcast, Kelce, who came along for the ride, observed that she was "literally living the life of a showgirl" as she managed her tour and studio work.

Swift replied that the comment inspired the album title.

Leaks and Fan Reaction

But hours before the official release on Oct. 3, Just Jared reported the album leaked in low-quality form across Discord and other platforms, sparking immediate fan dissection.

Listeners searched lyrics for references to Kelce, past rivals, and broader industry dynamics. The chatter echoed the anticipation around her previous album, "The Tortured Poets Department."

Swift's 12 new tracks include "The Fate of Ophelia," "Elizabeth Taylor," "Wood," and "Opalite," among others. Kelce said his personal favorite is "Opalite," praising its balance of "pop beats" and Swift's signature poetic melodies.

Visuals and Theatrical Launch

Along with the music, Swift introduced a visual shift. Photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot, the imagery shows her dressed in sequined Vegas-style showgirl looks. Swift explained that she wanted to "go all out" on the visuals because of how proud she felt of the record, calling it a "full send."

To mark the release, Swift announced "The Release Party of a Showgirl," a special AMC theatrical event screening Oct. 3 to 5. The 89-minute program features the world premiere of the "Fate of Ophelia" video, lyric videos, and behind-the-scenes footage. Deadline reported presales for the event hit $15 million in 24 hours.

"The Life of a Showgirl" also carries personal significance for the Grammy winner.

It is her first album since Kelce proposed in August, making it the first record of her career released while engaged. Fans have already pointed to songs such as "Wood" as potential references to their relationship.

Swift said the project reflects her dual life during the tour: the spectacle of stadium shows and the private moments in between. That balance, she explained, is what shaped the album's title and concept.

Tags

Taylor Swift, New Album