Taylor Swift’s new album stirs controversy

By Gionna Bean, Opinion Editor

Taylor Swift poses for The Life of a Showgirl photo shoot – Photo by Mert Alas, Marcus Piggott and TAS Rights Management

Taylor Swift released her latest album on Oct. 3, and Aquinas students have strong opinions on the content. From the album cover to the lyrics in the songs, The Life of a Showgirl isn’t what many fans expected.

The cover of the album depicts Taylor Swift in a shiny silver bralette top in a pool of water, a more revealing outfit than in her past albums. Previously her outfits were more natural and modest, whereas this album looks more flashy and provocative.

“It just looks like she’s trying to copy Sabrina Carpenter’s whole thing,” senior Zoebelle Bean said.

Sabrina Carpenter’s look is short shiny outfits, often paired with glittering stage sets and playful choreography. Carpenter, who toured with Swift during the Eras Tour, has become known for her bold and confident image — something fans say Swift may be experimenting with in this new era.

Swift imitates Carpenter’s style on stage for her newest release – Photo by Mert Alas, Marcus Piggott and TAS Rights Management

The release comes at a time when Swift is in a blooming romance with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, a relationship that has dominated the media since the pair went public last year. Fans have been quick to connect several tracks to the relationship, especially the song “Wood,” which has attracted criticism due to the vulgarity of the lyrics and its overtly sensual tone. The track contrasts sharply with the romantic subtlety of Swift’s earlier love songs, offering a more candid glimpse into her adult life and the pressures of sustaining a high-profile relationship under constant public attention.

“I’ve liked some of her stuff like Folklore, but a lot of the stuff in the new album is weird,” sophomore Trista Cridler said. “Especially the song ‘Wood.’ I really just can’t listen to it, the lyrics are so inappropriate.”

Other songs like “The Life of a Showgirl,” “Father Figure” and “Wi$h Li$t” explore themes of fame, performance and the pressure to maintain a perfect image, all tying back to the central idea of the unique challenges that come with living as an entertainer. Together, they paint a picture of the exhaustion and public misunderstanding that come with always being on display.

“Some of the lyrics are inappropriate, but it’s vibey,” junior Julie Mach said.

Her change in tone has also led some listeners to view the album as more of a character study than a personal reflection.

“It does perfectly encapsulate what I assume would be the life of a showgirl,” sophomore Levi Rigelman said.

Critics have described The Life of a Showgirl as a departure from her previous works; whether that’s good or bad is up to the listener to decide. The album follows Swift’s evolution from the introspective storytelling of Folklore to the dazzling, spotlight-heavy spectacle of her current era. Whether fans love or hate it, her latest transformation has everyone talking on Aquinas campus and beyond.