Taylor Swift knows everyone has something to say about her latest release — and she’s fine with that.
The billionaire singer-songwriter sat down with Zane Lowe on Apple Music this week to talk about her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” which dropped last week. The record dives into her world on tour and her life with fiancé Travis Kelce, and the reaction so far has been, well, mixed.
Swift says she’s ready for it. “The rule of show business is, if it’s the first week of my album release and you are saying either my name or my album title, you’re helping,” she said.
@buzzfeeduk #TaylorSwift has weighed in on the criticism of her new album - #TheLifeOfaShowGirl ♬ original sound - BuzzFeed UK
The pop star, who now has 14 Grammys to her name, added that she doesn’t expect everyone to love what she does — and that’s part of the deal. “I have a lot of respect for people’s subjective opinions on art. I’m not the art police,” she said. “It’s, like, everybody is allowed to feel exactly how they want. And what our goal is as entertainers is to be a mirror.”
Swift said this isn’t the first time she’s faced criticism from her own fans, but she’s learned that opinions change over time. “What I often love seeing my fans say is, ‘I used to be someone who didn’t relate to “Reputation.” And now that I’ve been through some other things in my life, that’s my favorite album,’” she explained.
For Swift, it’s all about the bigger picture. “We’re doing this thing for keeps,” she said. “I have such an eye on legacy when I’m making my music. I know what I made. I know I adore it, and I know that on the theme of what the Showgirl is – all of this is part of it.”
In the days since its release, fans have queued up outside record shops and hosted listening parties across the world to celebrate “Showgirl.” But the reaction hasn’t been entirely positive. Some fans have questioned the multiple, pricey physical versions of the album, while others have taken issue with how Swift reimagines a Shakespearean character in one of her songs.
Still, the “Anti-Hero” singer isn’t letting the chatter slow her down. Swift is continuing her press tour this week and is set to appear on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” on Wednesday, where she’ll be the show’s only guest.
As always, Taylor Swift seems fully aware that every era brings its share of love and backlash — and she’s clearly happy to let both play out.
