Taylor Swift's New Album Cover Is Receiving Backlash For Its Sexual Undertones, And Swifties Flew In Like Superwoman To Defend Her

Taylor Swift revealed the artwork for her upcoming album, The Life of a Showgirl, and some people aren’t fans of what they’re seeing.

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On Wednesday, Taylor shared details about her 12th studio album, including the cover art, tracklist, surprise features, and the release date.

“And, baby, that’s show business for you,” Taylor wrote on her Instagram post, which has amassed over 9 million likes. The album is set to release on Oct. 3 and feature producers Max Martin, Shellback, and Taylor herself — the same team behind some of her biggest hits on 1989 and Reputation.

Singer performing passionately on stage in a form-fitting, embellished jumpsuit

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It will include 12 tracks, with a special collaboration from Sabrina Carpenter, who also opened for Taylor during her Eras Tour.

Two women performing on stage, one plays the piano and laughs spiritedly while pointing; the other sits beside her, smiling in a sparkling dress

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Here’s the official tracklist:

1. “The Fate of Ophelia”

2. “Elizabeth Taylor”

3. “Opalite”

4. “Father Figure”

5. “Eldest Daughter”

6. “Ruin the Friendship”

7. “Actually Romantic”

8. “Wi$h Li$t”

9. “Wood”

10. “CANCELLED!”

11. “Honey”

12. “The Life of a Showgirl” (Feat. Sabrina Carpenter)

And while we don’t know what the songs are about just yet, that hasn’t stopped fans from theorizing about the meaning behind them — and, I have to admit, the theories are really good. Taylor has been through a lot since her Eras Tour, from new love to possible friendship breakups, so it will be interesting to see what gets addressed.

A man in a "AFC Champions Chiefs Are All In" shirt with a woman in a casual top, smiling and posing together at a stadium event

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In fact, Taylor shed some light on The Life of a Showgirl while appearing alongside her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, on the New Heights podcast, which he cohosts with his brother, Jason Kelce. During the two-hour-long conversation, she shared a ton of behind-the-scenes details about herself, their relationship, and, of course, her music.

Despite the comments being turned off on her Instagram, fans found other outlets to express their excitement, including X (better known as Twitter):

“Taylor teaming up with Max Martin and Shellback again? This is about to be a pop masterpiece for the ages.”

Tweet speculates a collaboration between Taylor, Max Martin, and Shellback, predicting a pop masterpiece with various emojis expressing excitement

“SO PROUD OF YOU SHOWGIRL!!!!!”

Person with headphones, smiling and raising fists in excitement, behind a microphone. Text on screen reads "NEW HEIGHTS." Books visible in background New Heights / @lysstaysversion / x.com

“And suddenly I’m off work that day.”

Scene from a classroom in a teen movie: a student looks back at another, who is focused on her work, with two open books on her desk

“so so so excited for this new era! thank you for sharing your words and your feelings with us !!!”

Tweet from user "chels @rumorzfrominez": "so so so excited for this new era! thank you for sharing your words and your feelings with us !!!"

“NEW TAYLOR ALBUM LET’S GOOO.”

Person passionately singing into a microphone with visible enthusiasm, caption reads: "[screaming at the top of my lungs]" Reaction Memes / @aoty2024 / x.com

But along with the love she was being showered with, there also came backlash. Some people weren’t impressed by the way Taylor was dressed in her various shots for her album, with one commenter even claiming that the multi-Grammy winner is “not a model I want my young daughter to idolize anymore.”

Singer in a sparkling bodysuit performs energetically on stage, smiling and holding a microphone

Kate Green / Getty Images

Others believed she was trying to mimic other popular artists like Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, and more with her showgirl outfits:

“It’s giving Britney’s Circus,” one wrote.

“What [in] the white Beyoncé is going on here!?” another commented.

“She’s biting Chappell Roan,” one said.

“Looks as if T.S. is lowering her standards to J.Lo’s,” a person added.

“She has turned into Kylie Minogue,” chimed another.

But the reactions didn’t stop there:

“What happens in her bedroom is no longer secret,” said one commenter.

“Put some freaking clothes on,” demanded another.

“Does singing have to include nudity? Asking for a friend,” inquired one person.

A celebrity poses on the red carpet in a strapless dress, layered necklaces, and elegant makeup, with a background featuring blurred award motifs

Neilson Barnard / Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Fans on Reddit were not feeling the criticism and called out the pressure parents place on celebrities to “help raise” their children, and the hypocrisy women go through as they’re expected to mature in their work but not in their looks.

“Ugh. Celebrities are not meant to be your children’s role models. Be a parent and explain to your child that adults have bodily autonomy and may do things sometimes that they don’t need to copy,” wrote one redditor.

“‘Why doesn’t this popstar raise my children well?’ accusations are back! ts12 is going to be legendary,” said another.

“Taylor has personally met hundreds of parents and their children that look up to her. She visited hospitals and gave nothing but kindness. She doesn’t give a single fuck what some random people on the internet think of her. She’s been in the business for… 20 years now? She knows she’s got people who want to twist everything she does or says. She won’t care,” explained one person.

“ffs she is a 35-year-old woman… who is great bussinesswoman, amazing artist and seemingly kind person. those are traits your child could look up to. she has also right to pose however she likes even if you dont like it,” someone added.

“I can understand people being iffy about teenage artists being a bad influence (although it’s not the artists responsibility of course) but Taylor will be 36 this winter. She’s a grown woman, people want her to be this wholesome teen forever, it’s just ridiculous,” concluded another.

“First of all, bodies aren’t a bad thing! Also kids are oblivious to a lot of things. These pics aren’t that much more revealing than the ttpd covers just in a totally different way,” wrote a redditor.

I’m going to have to side with the positive comments here. Women, let alone female celebrities, should be allowed to experiment and grow with their art. Expecting artists to look the same and produce the same art over and over again is unrealistic and unfair. Taylor has always been open about the various stages she’s going through in life, and this is no different.

Person in glamorous, shimmering dress with a sequin background, posing with hand on her hip