Introduction to Taylor Swift’s Podcast Debut
Taylor Swift made her highly anticipated podcast debut on "New Heights," a show hosted by her friend Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce. The pop superstar used this opportunity to announce her new album, "The Life of a Showgirl," and provide updates on her life since the Eras tour. Over 1.3 million people tuned in live to hear Swift share insights into her relationship with Travis, the hidden hints she plants for fans, and even tidbits about her sourdough bread baking.
What We Learned About the New Album
Swift’s 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," is set to be released on October 3. The album cover features Swift wearing a turquoise green dress with diamonds, with only her face and wrist visible above the water’s surface. The record was written during her Eras tour, and Swift would often return to Sweden to work on it while performing concerts in Europe. She explained that the album tells the story of "everything that goes on behind the curtain" on tour. Swift also revealed that the title track features Sabrina Carpenter and that the album is more optimistic than her previous work.
Swift on How the Podcast Brought Her a Friend
At the beginning of the show, Swift was asked why she decided to appear on the podcast, which is mainly geared towards sports fans. She jokingly accused Travis of using the show as a "personal dating app" to get in touch with her. Before they met, Travis had expressed his enthusiasm for Swift’s music on the podcast and had even made a pearl friendship bracelet that was popular during the Eras tour. Swift said that the viral clip of Travis talking about her almost felt like "he was standing outside my apartment with a boom box that said ‘I want to go on a date with you’."
Making Male Sports Fans Laugh
Swift poked fun at the "male sports fans" in the audience, saying that they probably didn’t expect to see her on the podcast. She teasingly looked into the camera and said that she’s aware that male sports fans have a certain fondness for her. Despite some football fans not being happy about her appearance at Kansas City Chiefs games, Swift has become a regular presence at the events. Jason assured her that she was the "most sought-after guest" on the podcast, and other notable guests have included basketball stars and actors.
How Swift Creates Hidden "Easter Eggs"
Swift spoke about how she uses "Easter eggs" – or secret messages – to connect with her fans through her music and appearances. She said that she has rules for planting these hidden hints and that they always relate back to her music, never her personal life. Swift joked that some fans are so good at deciphering these messages that it’s almost like they’re trying to solve a mystery. She shared an example of a speech she gave when receiving an honorary doctorate, where she included many lyrical Easter eggs that fans later discovered.
Swift Didn’t Know About Football Before Travis
Swift admitted that she didn’t know much about football before she started dating Travis. She said that she didn’t understand terms like "first down" or "tight end," but Travis was patient with her and introduced her to his world. Swift is now personally invested in the sport and has even shown interest in player trades. Travis expressed his gratitude that Swift has embraced his world "with all her heart."
Taylor Gets Emotional About Album Rights
In May, it was announced that Swift had bought the rights to her first six albums, ending a long-standing dispute over ownership of her music. Swift became emotional when talking about the process of buying back her master recordings, saying that it was like retrieving her "handwritten diary entries from my whole life." She emphasized that she wasn’t interested in the financial rewards but rather wanted to reclaim her music as a personal and emotional possession.
What Version of Her Albums Should Fans Listen to?
Swift thanked her loyal fans for listening to her re-recorded albums and said that they had reacted to the dispute over her music rights with the cowboy expression "We ride at dawn." She explained that she was able to buy back her music because of the success of the Eras tour, which was supported by her fans. When asked which versions of her albums fans should listen to, Swift said that she thinks many of the vocals she re-recorded are better than the originals, particularly on her 2012 album Red.
Baking Sourdough Bread with Cat and Chest Hair
Swift and Travis affectionately talked about their shared love of baking sourdough bread together. They joked that his dough often gets mixed with chest hair, while hers gets mixed with cat hair. Travis said that experiencing Swift’s fascinating stage presence and then getting to know her personally has been a unique and wonderful experience. As the conversation turned more intimate, Jason joked that he might give them some privacy, to which Swift agreed, saying that maybe everyone should leave them alone.
