Taylor Swift’s new album The Life of a Showgirl takes us into the world of women under the spotlight—a world full of glamour yet equally laden with pressure and hidden emotional vulnerability. The album draws inspiration from three figures: Ophelia, Elizabeth Taylor, and the Showgirl, each reflecting the stories of women navigating their destinies in their own ways.
Ophelia: A Victim by a Patriarchal Society
You dug me out of my grave and
Saved my heart from the fate of
Ophelia
Ophelia is one of the most famous female characters from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. She is a young noblewoman with a pure heart, yet fate is unkind. Every decision in her life is controlled by the men around her—her father, her brother, and her lover, Prince Hamlet. Betrayal and tragedy ultimately drive her to madness, culminating in her drowning.
In the song “The Fate of Ophelia”, Taylor Swift uses Ophelia’s story as a metaphor for rising from past sorrows and reclaiming one’s strength, thanks to finding a partner willing to share a future with her. Yet, Ophelia’s heartbreak and loss of agency reflect the vulnerability of women constrained by society. She is not a damsel awaiting a prince, but a victim of a system that strips women of power.
Elizabeth Taylor: A Shining Star with a Turbulent Life
I’d cry my eyes violet, Elizabeth Taylor
Tell me for real, do you think it’s forever?
Elizabeth Taylor, one of Hollywood’s legendary actresses, was the world’s highest-paid actress in the 1960s and known for her extraordinary and often tumultuous life. She is remembered for iconic films such as Cleopatra (1963), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966). Beyond her acting, Taylor was one of the first celebrities to advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness. She also created a successful line of perfumes, setting a precedent for celebrity-branded fragrances.
Throughout her career, Elizabeth Taylor’s personal life was constantly under media scrutiny, particularly her romantic relationships. She was married eight times to seven men, had four children, ten grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. For Taylor Swift, who has often been publicly scrutinized for her love life, the song “Elizabeth Taylor” reflects her efforts to understand her own romantic experiences amidst the pressures of fame and the challenge of finding someone she can truly trust.
Showgirl: A Life Under Glittering Spotlight
Hey, thank you for the lovely bouquet
You’re sweeter than a peach
But you don’t know the life of a showgirl, babe
The showgirl is a female performer in theatrical revues, wearing striking and revealing costumes to captivate the audience. She both dances and performs on stage, all while maintaining a flawless, glamorous, and luxurious image. The line between the fantasy of the stage and her true self is often blurred. Showgirls are frequently scrutinized, objectified, and subject to harassment from men, as well as dismissed and criticized by society at large.
The Life of a Showgirl reflects the broader experience of women in entertainment. Featuring Sabrina Carpenter was a perfect choice, as both are pop stars of their era constantly in the public eye, subject to judgment and critique—even while maintaining a sweet, Barbie-like image shaped by societal expectations.
Although it is unfortunate that the album doesn’t fully illuminate the behind-the-scenes struggles of women in entertainment, ultimately, art is up to interpretation. Even if every story isn’t told completely, we can still listen, acknowledge, and honor the voices of women navigating challenges that society often overlooks.
And, baby, that’s show business for you.
