Taylor Swift Unveils 12th Studio Album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ in Surprise Podcast Reveal

Swift’s latest era kicks off with glam, glitter, and mystery as she teases her new album on Travis Kelce’s podcast — and fans are already decoding every detail.

Taylor Swift has officially announced her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, following weeks of speculation and a countdown that ended at 12:12 a.m. ET on August 12. The reveal came during a teaser for her appearance on the New Heights podcast, hosted by her boyfriend Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce.

In the clip, Swift pulls a blurred vinyl from a mint-colored briefcase and declares, “This is my brand-new album, The Life of a Showgirl.” While no release date has been confirmed, her website notes that vinyl editions will ship before October 13, with pre-orders now live for Portofino orange glitter vinyl and a limited cassette edition.

The announcement follows a cryptic slideshow posted by Taylor Nation, featuring 12 images of Swift in orange outfits and the caption, “Thinking about when she said ‘See you next era…’” Fans immediately connected the dots, especially after New Heights posted an orange silhouette teasing a “very special guest.”

Swift’s last studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, was released in 2024 and broke multiple streaming records, including Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day. It coincided with her record-breaking Eras Tour, which grossed over $2.2 billion across five continents.

The Life of a Showgirl also marks Swift’s first release since regaining full ownership of her music catalog, a milestone she reached in May after purchasing her masters from Shamrock Capital. The move concluded a years-long battle that began with Scooter Braun’s acquisition of her early recordings in 2019.

Swift has re-recorded four of her first six albums as “Taylor’s Version,” with Reputation and her self-titled debut still pending. Each re-release has topped the Billboard 200 and included new “vault” tracks, visuals, and Easter eggs.

While no tracklist or lead single has been revealed, fans are already theorizing about the album’s themes — from Marilyn Monroe-inspired glamour to theatrical storytelling and Art Deco aesthetics. Some believe it could be a spiritual sequel to Reputation, swapping villain energy for the glittering illusion of fame.

Swift’s appearance on New Heights airs August 13, and fans expect more clues about what’s next in her ever-evolving musical journey.

Posted at 12:12 on the 12th. ❤️‍🔥 Tay’s 12th album is called…” — New Heights podcast teaser