Taylor Swift has embraced being a showgirl, for better or worse. On Oct. 3, the singer released her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, which reunites her with collaborators Max Martin and Shellback for a rumination on fame, love, and her career. Nowhere is this clearer than on the title track, which features her friend and Eras Tour opening act, Sabrina Carpenter.

In “The Life of a Showgirl,” Swift tells the story of a showgirl named Kitty, who was constantly underestimated by critics but made a fan out of her. “They gave her the keys to this city, then they said she didn’t do it legitly,” she sings. (Yes, she made “legitly” a word.) But when she meets Kitty at the stage door, she receives a stern warning about what lies beyond the onstage glitz and glamour.

“The more you play, the more that you pay,” she sings on the chorus. “You’re softer than a kitten, so, you don’t know the life of a showgirl, babe, and you’re never gonna wanna.”

Carpenter comes in on the second half to tell Kitty’s backstory, imbued with some of her signature cheeky humor (aimed at men, of course). But at the end of her verse, in a Swiftian twist, Carpenter reveals herself to be a showgirl who followed in Kitty’s footsteps and has already seen the dark side of fame. “But that’s not what showgirls get,” she sings. “They leave us for dead.”

Swift centers the narrative back on herself in the bridge, trading horror stories with Carpenter as she learns what it takes to be a showgirl. “I’m married to the hustle,” she sings. “Now I know the life of a showgirl, babe, and I’ll never know another.” And unlike her mentor Kitty, she has no regrets. “Wouldn’t have it any other way,” she concludes. “Thank you for the lovely bouquet.”

Taylor & Sabrina’s “The Life Of A Showgirl” Lyrics

Read the full lyrics to Swift and Carpenter’s collaboration below.

Her name was Kitty

Made her money being pretty and witty

They gave her the keys to this city

Then they said she didn’t do it legitly

I bought a ticket

She’s dancing in her garters and fishnets

50 in the cast, zero missteps

Looking back, I guess it was kismet

I waited by the stage door

Packed in with the autograph hounds

Barking her name

Then glowing like the end of a cigarette

Wow, she came out

I said, “You’re living my dream”

Then she said to me

Hey, thank you for the lovely bouquet

You’re sweeter than a peach

But you don’t know the life of a showgirl, babe

And you’re never, ever gonna

Wait, the more you play, the more that you pay

You’re softer than a kitten so

You don’t know the life of a showgirl, babe

And you’re never gonna wanna

She was a menace

The baby of the family in Lenox

Her father whored around like all men did

Her mother took pills and played tennis

So she waited by the stage door

As the club promoter arrived

She said, “I’d sell my soul to have a taste of a magnificent life,

that’s all mine”

But that’s not what showgirls get

They leave us for dead

Hey, thank you for the lovely bouquet

You’re sweeter than a peach

But you don’t know the life of a showgirl, babe

And you’re never, ever gonna

Wait, the more you play, the more that you pay

You’re softer than a kitten so

You don’t know the life of a showgirl, babe

And you’re never gonna wanna

I took her pearls of wisdom

Hung them from my neck

I paid my dues with every bruise

I knew what to expect

You wanna take a skate on the ice inside my veins

They ripped me off like false lashes

And then threw me away

And all of the headshots on the walls

Of the dance hall are of the bitches

Who wish I’d hurry up and die

But, I’m immortal now, baby dolls

I couldn’t if I tried, so I say

Thank you for the lovely bouquet

I’m married to the hustle

And now I know the life of a showgirl, babe

And I’ll never know another

I am hidden by the lipstick and lace

Sequins are forever and now I know the life of a showgirl, babe

Wouldn’t have it any other way

Thank you for the lovely bouquet

Hey Kitty

Now I make my money being pretty and witty

Thank you for the lovely bouquet

Thank you for an unforgettable night

We will see you next time

Give it up for the band, and the dancers

And of course, Sabrina

I love you, Taylor

That’s our show, we love you so much

Goodnight!

Taylor Swift
‘The Life of a Showgirl’ Album Drops!!!

Published October 2, 2025 9:29 PM PDT

Taylor Swift traded in her cardigan for a corset and just dropped her 12th studio album “The Life of a Showgirl” … and the midnight drop came complete with lyrics that fans are calling some of her most cutthroat and authentically Taylor yet!!!

In classic Swift fashion, the dazzling album — which features 12 tracks — marks a new era for Taylor … giving her fans a glittery masterpiece full of perfectly curated lyrics and show-stopping melodies.

The track titles — being revealed previously on her website — are “The Fate of Ophelia,” “Elizabeth Taylor,” “Opalite,” “Father Figure,” “Eldest Daughter,” “Ruin the Friendship,” “Actually Romantic,” “Wi$h Li$T,” “Wood,” “CANCELLED!,” “Honey,” and “The Life of a Showgirl” featuring Sabrina Carpenter.

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Shortly after the release, Taylor took to Instagram to thank her collaborators Max Martin and Shellback … and says “if you thought the big show was wild, perhaps you should come and take a look behind the curtain…”

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New Heights

Fans have been anticipating the drop of this album since August when Taylor went on her now fiancé Travis Kelce‘s podcast ‘New Heights’ — and within minutes of the drop, Swifties were already dissecting the lyrics.

“The Fate of Ophelia” kicking off the album with a shoutout to her soon-to-be hubby saying “I heard you calling on the megaphone. Pledge allegiance to your hands, your team, your vibes. Don’t care where the hell you been, ’cause now you’re mine” — lyrics fans had immediately singled out.

Although many members of the Taylor tribe had expected her to take a dig at ex-bestie Blake Lively with “Ruin the Friendship,” fans note that it seems like more of a guy best friend troupe.

As we previously reported … Tay Tay is tipping her hat to the late, great George Michael with a track called “Father Figure” — and the icon’s former partner told us George would’ve totally approved of it.

Kenny Goss — George’s partner of 13 years — tells TMZ George would be proud of the tribute, which isn’t a straight sample, but an interpolation … meaning you’ll hear the melody of his ’87 classic woven into Taylor’s track … and boy are fans loving it.

Beneath the sequins and smiles, “The Life of a Showgirl” pulls back the curtain on the hustle, heartbreak, and high kicks it takes to keep the show going … and if anyone can do it, it’s none other than the showgirl herself — Taylor Swift.

Sabrina Carpenter has RVF — resting Vogue face. In March, she was on the front page of the American issue rocking a Madonna-inspired wig and red lip. On Sept. 23, she was revealed on the cover of Vogue Italia — this time, reimagined as a ’60s boudoir bombshell complete with a bouncy bob, peachy lips, and the real star of the show: exaggerated eye makeup by way of double eyeliner.

Of course, the “Manchild” singer’s signature glam isn’t too far off — just trade the pin curls for Brigitte Bardot bangs and one winged liner for two. But the additional flick extending from her lashes served as a total retro chic moment that immediately had her fans gagged.

Sabrina’s Double-Winged Eyeliner

Double eyeliner was popularized in the mod era, most notably by supermodel Twiggy, who drew a line in the crease of her eye that connected to her winged eyeliner. The effect? Lifted and enunciated doe eyes.

Once Euphoria debuted in 2019, the throwback eyeliner technique had a major resurgence. (TBT to Maddy and Cassie’s matching double-winged glam from Season 2, episode 3.) Now, Carpenter’s latest magazine cover cosigns the makeup look’s comeback.

Dame Pat McGrath was the makeup artist behind the singer’s cover, and she revealed three key products she used to create the look: the Holiday 2025 Gilded Nirvana Mega Palette; PermaGel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil in Xtreme Black; and the Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner in Xtreme Black. After drawing two parallel wings — one on the upper lash line and the other just below the lower lash line — simply take a white pencil to carve out the contrast, and you’ve got your own ’60s-inspired glam.

Bold Eyes Are Back

This fashion month has so far marked the return of statement eye makeup. See also: Harris Reed’s cartoonishly long lashes, Anna Sui’s blue eyeshadow moment, and Collina Strada’s shimmery lids.

The double wing is a subtle but striking variation on Carpenter’s signature liner — and it proves she’s right in line with the season’s most dramatic beauty trend.

Bold eyes are back, and thanks to Sabrina Carpenter, they’ve officially hit the pages of Vogue.

Sabrina Carpenter is nothing if not consistent. When the Man’s Best Friend singer creates a music video, fans can reliably count on three things: an iconic film reference, a man’s death, and a risqué costume. On Aug. 29, Carpenter released her music video for “Tears” — and yes, it checked every box.

“Tears” may be Carpenter’s horniest song yet. (A major feat, considering her lyrics in “Juno.”) Of course, she paired the sexy track with a music video to match. In the video, Carpenter stripped down to two skimpy lingerie looks, perfectly matching the vibe of her new album.

Sabrina’s Lacy Lingerie

In the “Tears” music video, Carpenter took on the role of a damsel in distress who transformed into a pole-dancing, boyfriend-murdering leading lady (with the help of Colman Domingo and a haunted house full of drag queens, of course).

The short film’s plot pays tribute to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Carpenter’s first outfit mirrored a look worn by the film’s star, Susan Sarandon. Carpenter started out in a tailored suit in her signature pastel blue shade. She paired the sophisticated look with a wide-brimmed white hat, sheer tights, and white Mary Jane heels.

But as the video continued, disembodied hands helped the singer strip down to her undergarments: a white bustier bra with green, vine-like embroidery and lacy bloomers. Garters and a pair of sheer gloves completed her provocative look.

Sabrina’s Fringe Dress

Later in the video, Carpenter changed into another barely-there ensemble. This time, she chose to embrace all the glitz and glam in a disco-themed fit, an archival look from Victoria’s Secret that was previously worn by Naomi Campbell in 2003.

Carpenter wore a lilac bra and matching ruffled panties. She layered a silver fringe dress on top, but the backless silhouette exposed her undies. More glittery fringe encircled her arms, creating a bell sleeve effect. Metallic silver heels rounded off the sexy, sparkling ‘fit.

Of course, no music video would be complete without Carpenter’s love interest meeting his untimely end. In the video’s final moments, her beau died. (In one version, he was crushed by a falling piano. In another, Carpenter threw the shoe into his chest, impaling him. “Someone has to die every video,” she told him, apologetically.)

When it comes to her music videos, Carpenter loves to follow a formula — whether it’s for plot lines or costume changes.

Happy New Music Friday! The weekend is here, which means more streaming, new playlists and the best that music has to offer — and ET has you covered for everything in between.

Ariana Grande announced her highly anticipated The Eternal Sunshine Tour set to hit arenas across North America and the UK next summer. Produced by Live Nation, the tour will kick off June 6 in Oakland, CA and will feature multiple nights in every city, including four-night runs in Los Angeles and Brooklyn, and a five-night residency at London’s O2 Arena. This tour marks Ariana’s first return to the stage in six years.

MTV announced more performers for 2025 MTV VMAs – Conan Gray, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll, Post Malone and Tate McRae will take the stage. The awards hosted by LL Cool J will air live on September 7 on CBS, MTV and stream on Paramount+.  MTV also announced nominations for two Social Categories: Best Group and Song of the Summer. Alex Warren, Sabrina Carpenter and Tate McRae received new nominations and first time nominees include Addison Rae, Fuerza Regida and HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI. All voting will be hosted on MTV Instagram Story until September 7 at 11am ET.

Sabrina Carpenter released her highly anticipated new album, Man’s Best Friend. The album features her signature witty lyricism and bold storytelling and 12 tracks, including the lead single “Manchild” which debuted at #1 on Billboard Hot 100. She released a new music video for “Tears” which stars Colman Domingo.

Plus, new music from Bon Jovi, Riley Green, Halsey, The Kid LAROI, Fall Out Boy and more!

“Red, White, And Jersey” – Bon Jovi & “Hollow Man” – Bon Jovi with Bruce Springsteen

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

Man’s Best Friend – Sabrina Carpenter

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) – Riley Green

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

BADLANDS ANTHOLOGY – Halsey

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Start Today” – Fall Out Boy

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“SHE DON’T NEED TO KNOW” – The Kid LAROI

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Tell Her” – Ella Mai

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Lost in Translation” – Carín León & Kacey Musgraves

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Bro Country” – HARDY feat ERNEST

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Kinda Single” – Colbie Caillat & Lee Brice

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

Once Upon a Time in California – Belinda Carlisle

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Cinnamon” – BENEE

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

IVE SECRET – IVE

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Another Life” – Alabama Shakes

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Commas” – GIRLSET

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

VHS(X) – X Ambassadors

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“scared of myself” – Alexander Stewart

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

No Hard Feelings – The Beaches

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

Hard Headed Woman – Margo Price

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Sky Walking” – MIYEON

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“u don’t have to tell me” – Artemas

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Girls Are Pretty” – Ryan and Rory

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Heartbleed Over Coffee” – Alana Hil

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Melody” – NELVEN

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Little Lies” – Don Diablo
 

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

MINDFULL– NGHTMRE

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

“Rearview” – Ben Gallaher

Stream it now: Apple / Spotify

The cover for Sabrina Carpenter’s new album made quite the kerfuffle online, but in the weeks since, she’s revealed that it’ll have multiple alternate covers that are a little less… controversial.

After sharing a cover for Man’s Best Friend that was “approved by God,” Carpenter has revealed one last cover that might just be the classiest of the bunch.

“the final alternate cover for Man’s Best Friend features such a special bonus track called ‘Such A Funny Way’ available only on vinyl,” she wrote on Instagram. “pre order now + a limited number of signed vinyl.”

On the new cover, Carpenter wears a glittering aquamarine evening gown as she holds court among a group of attractive, tuxedoed young men. They appear to be at a fancy dinner, complete with white tablecloths, glasses of champagne, and a vase full of red roses.

The new cover brings the total to four, including two other alternate covers. In one, Carpenter lounges on an easy chair surrounded by bouquets of roses, while the second bears a black-and-white photo of the “Espresso” singer resting her arm on a man’s shoulder. Of course, the first one, the one that polarized audiences over its striking imagery, features the singer in a suggestive pose, kneeling in front of a man whose face the audience doesn’t see.

Whatever your interpretation of the various looks, Man’s Best Friend is due on 8/29 via Island Records. Find more information here.

Ravyn Lenae has a portion of the end of this year blocked off, as she’ll be touring along Reneé Rapp. Until then, she’s warming up her vocal cords, and she just did so for BBC Radio 1 with a Live Lounge session. Artists routinely perform covers in that space and for her turn in the studio, she opted to sing a rendition of Sabrina Carpenter’s hit “Please Please Please” (here’s the video).

Lenae kept things minimal, opting for intimate instrumentation, letting the performance focus primarily on her vocals.

This comes after Dolly Parton added to the song’s legacy by hopping on a remix with Carpenter earlier this year. Parton said of the collab, “Of course, she can talk a little bad now and then. I told her, I said, now, I don’t cuss. I don’t make fun of Jesus. I don’t talk bad about God, and I don’t say dirty words, on camera, but known to if I get mad enough.”

Watch the performance here and check out Lenae’s upcoming tour dates supporting Rapp below.

Ravyn Lenae’s 2025 Tour Dates: Reneé Rapp’s Bite Me Tour

09/23 — Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
09/25 — Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena
10/22 — Austin, TX @ Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park
10/23 — Irving, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
10/26 — Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
10/27 — Tampa, FL @ Yuengling Center
10/29 — Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center

It’s been less than a year since Sabrina Carpenter released her latest album, Short N’ Sweet, which came out in August 2024. But, it has seemed recently that the gears of a new era are already turning. She released a new single, “Manchild,” last week, and it looks like it might debut at No. 1. Now, we know we definitely are in a new era: Today (June 11), she announced Man’s Best Friend, a new album set for release on August 29.

On social media, Carpenter shared the cover art, a relatively lo-fi photo of herself in a black dress, on her hands and knees, as a figure standing above her holds a handful of her hair.

There’s no announced tracklist yet, but a press release confirms “Manchild” will be on the album.

Carpenter hinted at the new project in a February interview with Vogue, saying, “I start every year, just trying to go away and write. Because I feel like I have a lot to say at the end of a year. I’m just kind of tucked away right now. It’s half writing and half relaxation, if that’s something I can even accomplish.”

Check out the Man’s Best Friend cover art below.

Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend Album Cover Artwork

Man’s Best Friend is out 8/29 via Island Records. Find more information here.