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Tag: Taylor Swift

  • How Twelve Labs Teaches A.I. to ‘See’ and Transform Video Understanding: Interview

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    Soyoung Lee, co-founder and head of GTM at Twelve Labs, pictured at Web Summit Vancouver 2025. Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Web Summit via Sportsfile via Getty Images

    Sure, the score of a football game is important. But sporting events can also foster cultural moments that slip under the radar—such as Travis Kelce signing a heart to Taylor Swift in the stands. While such footage could be social-media gold, it’s easily missed by traditional content tagging systems. That’s where Twelve Labs comes in.

    “Every sports team or sports league has decades of footage that they’ve captured in-game, around the stadium, about players,” Soyoung Lee, co-founder and head of GTM at Twelve Labs, told Observer. However, these archives are often underutilized due to inconsistent and outdated content management. “To date, most of the processes for tagging content have been manual.”

    Twelve Labs, a San Francisco-based startup specializing in video-understanding A.I., wants to unlock the value of video content by offering models that can search vast archives, generate text summaries and create short-form clips from long-form footage. Its work extends far beyond sports, touching industries from entertainment and advertising to security.

    “Large language models can read and write really well,” said Lee. “But we want to move on to create a world in which A.I. can also see.”

    Is Twelve Labs related to Eleven Labs?

    Founded in 2021, Twelve Labs isn’t to be confused with ElevenLabs, an A.I. startup that specializes in audio. “We started a year earlier,” Lee joked, adding that Twelve Labs—which named itself after the initial size of its founding team—often partners with ElevenLabs for hackathons, including one dubbed “23Labs.”

    The startup’s ambitious vision has drawn interest from deep-pocketed backers. It has raised more than $100 million from investors such as Nvidia, Intel, and Firstman Studio, the studio of Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk. Its advisory bench is equally star-studded, featuring Fei-Fei Li, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Alexandr Wang.

    Twelve Labs counts thousands of developers and hundreds of enterprise customers. Demand is highest in entertainment and media, spanning Hollywood studios, sports leagues, social media influencers and advertising firms that rely on Twelve Labs tools to automate clip generation, assist with scene selection or enable contextual ad placements.

    Government agencies also use the startup’s technology for video search and event retrieval. Beyond its work with the U.S. and other nations, Lee said that Twelve Labs has a deployment in South Korea’s Sejong City to help CCTV operators monitor thousands of camera feeds and locate specific incidents. To reduce security risks, the company has removed capabilities for facial and biometric recognition, she added.

    Will video-native A.I. come for human jobs?

    Many of the industries Twelve Labs serves are already debating whether A.I. threatens humans jobs—a concern Lee argues is only partly warranted. “I don’t know if jobs will be lost, per se, but jobs will have to transition,” she said, comparing the shift to how tools like Photoshop reshaped creative roles.

    If anything, Lee believes systems like Twelve Labs’ will democratize creative work traditionally limited to companies with big budgets. “You are now able to do things with less, which means you have more stories that can be created from independent creatives who do not have that same capital,” she said. “It actually allows for the scaling of content creation and personalizing distribution.”

    Twelve Labs is not the only A.I. player eyeing video, but the company insists it serves a different need than its much larger competitors. “We’re excited that video is now starting to get more attention, but the way we’re seeing it is a lot of innovation in large language models, a lot of innovation in video generation models and image generation models like Sora—but not in video understanding,” said Lee, referencing OpenAI’s text-to-video A.I. model and app.

    For now, Twelve Labs offers video search, video analysis and video-to-text capabilities. The company plans to expand into agentic platforms that can not only understand video but also build narratives from it. Such models could be useful beyond creative fields, Lee said, pointing to examples like retailers identifying peak foot-traffic hours or security clients mapping the sequence of events surrounding an accident.

    While A.I. might help a Hollywood director assemble a movie, Lee believes it won’t ever be the director. Even if the technology can provide narrative options, humans still decide which story is most compelling, identify gaps and supply the footage. “At the end of the day, I think there’s nothing that can replace human creative intent.”

    How Twelve Labs Teaches A.I. to ‘See’ and Transform Video Understanding: Interview

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    Alexandra Tremayne-Pengelly

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  • Here’s How Taylor Swift Gained Confidence and How You Can Too

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    Can you learn to be more confident? Most of us know by instinct or from reading the research that people who show more confidence tend to be seen as more capable and likable by others. There’s just no question that greater confidence can make you more successful. But how do you get there? Consider Taylor Swift and her confidence, or lack of it, when it came to dancing.

    We may think of Swift as a superstar who can do no wrong, as far as her fans are concerned. But before the Eras Tour, she spent years being criticized as a stiff, awkward, and generally very bad dancer. She acknowledged that criticism, and laughed with her critics, in the video for “Shake It Off,” which she described as “an entire music video of me awkwardly, badly dancing.”

    Apparently, shaking it off wasn’t really that easy. At least not according to choreographer Mandy Moore (not to be confused with the singer and This Is Us star with the same name). Moore did the choreography for the Eras Tour as well as the intensely complex “Fate of Ophelia” video. When she first started working with Swift, the pop star was quite self-conscious about dancing, Moore said in a New York Times interview. “She’d gotten a bad rap for a long time about her dancing, so she was really in her head,” Moore recalled.

    Moore helped Swift gain confidence in her own dance abilities. Here’s how she did it, and how it could work for you.

    1. Start with yourself.

    The first challenge was to get Swift out of her head. “We shifted the focus to how movement was already manifesting in her body–the way she naturally wanted to move,” Moore said in the interview. “And then we fine-tuned that: ‘OK, that looks a little weird with your shoulders,’ or, ‘Let’s straighten your knee here.’”

    When you’re feeling uncertain about a task or challenge, it’s always a good idea to go back to what feels most natural and comfortable to you. That’s a great place to start building your confidence because it’s likely something you have lots of experience doing and know you can do well. Use that as the first building block and slowly add other challenges and tasks, increasing your skills as you go.

    2. Put in the work.

    Swift is famous for being an extraordinarily hard worker. She prepared for her three-hour Eras Tour performances by singing all the songs in the set list while running, fast walking, or jogging on a treadmill (depending on the tempo of the song). She also completed a three-month fitness training regimen designed specifically for her.

    Her fiancé Travis Kelce is still a star of the NFL at 36, partly because he never skips any of the team’s grueling workouts. But even Kelce said he admired Swift’s athleticism and work ethic during the tour.

    Moore agrees. “I really admire Taylor’s tenacity,” she said. “She works so hard. Whatever I was putting down, she was picking up.”

    It may not be the most fun way to boost your own confidence. But it’s undeniably effective. Putting in extra hours of work practicing your skills and honing your strengths will give you greater confidence when you see those skills improve. It’s one of the most reliable ways to increase your own confidence.

    3. Ask for help.

    Dancing in public may be one of the most embarrassing things you can do. It can be a real challenge to your confidence, especially if you get criticized the way Swift has been. “The nature of this job is that I’m often seeing people–not just celebrities, everyone–in very vulnerable positions,” Moore says. “Dance is so vulnerable, and that feeling is only magnified by how famous the person is. Some of these artists have been sort of traumatized by dance.”

    How does Moore get them past their trauma? By turning dance into something they can love. “A lot of it is really just getting in a room and being like, ‘Look, here’s this thing that I love, and you can love it too!,’” she said. “Teach them the love first and the steps later.” That’s a great approach, and likely one Swift couldn’t have come up with by herself. Fortunately, she turned to Moore for help.

    A singer about to launch an international tour with 15 professional dancers knows she needs a choreographer to get the job done. But even if the task ahead of you is smaller and less public, asking for help from a coach, subject matter expert, mentor, or even a trusted colleague or friend can really help your confidence level. You can get constructive feedback on your work. You can practice your presentation or networking skills. This can give you the extra lift you need to face the challenge ahead feeling sure you can handle it instead of afraid that you can’t.

    There’s a growing audience of Inc.com readers who receive a daily text from me with a self-care or motivational micro-challenge or tip. Often, they text me back and we wind up in a conversation. (Want to know more? It’s easy to try it out and you can easily cancel anytime. Here’s some information about the texts and a special invitation to a two-month free trial.) Many of my subscribers are entrepreneurs or business leaders. They know the importance of feeling as confident as they can when they embark on a new challenge or role. Following Swift’s example can be a great way to get there.

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

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    Minda Zetlin

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  • AI song generator Udio offers brief window for downloads after Universal settlement upsets users

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    Artificial intelligence song generation platform Udio said it would give its frustrated users 48 hours starting Monday to download their songs before the company shifts to a new business model to comply with a legal settlement.

    The short reprieve comes after Udio on Wednesday said it had settled copyright infringement claims brought by Universal Music, a label with artists including Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Drake and Kendrick Lamar.

    AI companies are now fighting so many copyright lawsuits that a tech industry lobby group, the Chamber of Progress, last week called on President Donald Trump to sign an executive order directing federal attorneys “to intervene in legal cases” to defend the industry’s practice of building generative AI tools by feeding them on copyrighted works.

    Citing more than 50 pending federal cases, the group asked for help stopping court fights leading to “potentially company-killing penalties” that threaten AI innovation. But artists have warned that AI tools built on their works also threaten their livelihoods.

    In the biggest settlement so far, AI company Anthropic agreed to pay $1.5 billion — or $3,000 per book — to settle claims from authors who alleged the company illegally pirated nearly half a million of their works to train its chatbot.

    Udio and Universal didn’t disclose the financial terms of their new music licensing agreements. They also said they will team up on a new streaming platform.

    As part of the agreement, Udio immediately stopped allowing people to download songs they’ve created, which sparked a backlash and apparent exodus among paying users.

    “We know the pain it causes to you,” Udio later said in a post on Reddit’s Udio forum, where users were venting about feeling betrayed by the platform’s surprise move and complained that it limited what they could do with their music.

    Udio said it still must stop downloads as it transitions to a new streaming platform next year. But over the weekend, it said it will give people 48 hours starting at 11 a.m. Eastern time Monday to keep their “past creations.”

    “Udio is a small company operating in an incredibly complex and evolving space, and we believe that partnering directly with artists and songwriters is the way forward,” said Udio’s post.

    The settlement deal was the music industry’s first since Universal, along with Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Records, sued Udio and another AI song generator, Suno, last year over copyright infringement.

    Udio and Suno pioneered AI song generation technology, which can spit out new songs based on prompts typed into a chatbot-style text box. Users, who don’t need musical talent, can merely request a tune in the style of, for example, classic rock, 1980s synth-pop or West Coast rap.

    Record labels have accused the platforms of exploiting the recorded works of artists without compensating them.

    In its lawsuit filed against Udio last year, Universal sought to show how specific AI-generated songs made on Udio closely resembled Universal-owned classics like Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” The Temptations’ “My Girl,” ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” and holiday favorites like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “Jingle Bell Rock.”

    A musician-led group, the Artist Rights Alliance, said Friday that the Universal-Udio settlement represents a positive step in creating a “legitimate AI marketplace” but raised questions about whether independent artists, session musicians and songwriters will be sufficiently protected from AI practices that present an “existential threat” to their careers.

    “Licensing is the only version of AI’s future that doesn’t result in the mass destruction of art and culture,” the group said. “But this promise must be available to all music creators, not just to major corporate copyright holders.”

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  • 50 Taylor Swift Halloween-Inspired Friendship Bracelet Ideas

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    Zombie Taylor Swift, crawling out of a midnight-blue grave with skin so wrinkled not even Olay’s 47-step retinol pipeline could touch it, pausing only to grab a dusty ‘22’ hat (the one we all pretended she handed us at The Eras Tour, as if we were “chosen”). Maybe she even completes the look with the cursed Junior Jewels shirt — because nothing says undead nostalgia like high school spirit merch from the afterlife.

    Your costume? Handled. Your accessory? Still pending. The real crisis isn’t: “What am I wearing?” It’s: “Which friendship bracelet will summon the most delightfully haunted jumpscare energy?” Which colours? Which lyrics? Which era of emotional damage is getting the Halloween treatment? There are literally more options than the number of times we’ve yelled “Bloody Mary!” into the bathroom mirror, summoning a cameo — so we narrowed it down to 50 frightfully perfect Swiftie bracelet ideas to level up your last-minute spooky slay.

    Debut 🤠: Sweet Tea & Séances

    • “Planning my revenge,” but she’s doing it with a couture, blood-soaked dagger — serving slasher final-girl-prequel chic with a country soundtrack in the background.
    • “I’ll be 87, you’ll be 89,” which may currently be Taylor + Travis canon, but on your wrist, it’s also the eternal love story of two very wholesome ghost charms holding skeletal hands in the afterlife.
    • ‘Should’ve said no,’ except now it’s less heartbreak and more warning label before the third-act body count — complete with a final-girl charm and red beads like legally cute fake blood.
    • ‘Cold As You,’ but now it’s not a metaphor — it’s the literal chill creeping up your arm when you look down at your frost-blue, haunted-bracelet and realise it chose you.

    Fearless ✨: The Curse of the Golden Dress

    • “She wears high heels, I wear sneakers” might be a bracelet-length nightmare, but the vibe is undeniable: full The Vampire Diaries doppelgänger lore — Katherine Pierce stomping through town in seductive black stilettos while Elena Gilbert is still stuck on the cheer squad, wondering why her reflection is doing something she’s not.
    • ‘Breathe’ basically writes its own horror adaptation — a spite-fuelled murder chase where every inhale is just confirmation you haven’t died yet.
    • ‘Love Story,’ except the proposal isn’t romantic — it’s a fae-binding contract where “just say yes” is actually “just surrender your soul and never see daylight again.”
    • “This ain’t a fairytale,” but in The Little Mermaid sense, where Ursula didn’t just steal Ariel’s voice — she replaced her entirely, wearing her body like a trophy.

    Speak Now 💜 Or Forever Be Possessed

    • “Don’t say yes, run away now,” except it’s not a wedding objection anymore — it’s the last panicked warning screamed by the final girl right before she watches her best friend get dragged off by the creepy, not-quite-human thing hiding in the shadows.
    • “Don’t you think I was too young?” now comes with a tiny diary charm — the kind that looks sweet until you realise every secret inside it is written in invisible ink… and only shows up when you bleed on the page.
    • ‘Better Than Revenge’ except you’re not keying anyone’s car — you’ve gone full witch-vengeance arc with a bubbling cauldron, a curse you really shouldn’t Google, and beadwork powered by blood garnet (AKA the ultimate “I hex you in style” crystal).
    • ‘Haunted’ …need we even elaborate? This is the ouija-board bracelet: tiny planchette charm, letters circled in beads like a spiral trap, and a vibe that says you’re not wearing the bracelet — it’s wearing you. Forever tethered, forever watched.

    Red 🧣: ’22’ Victims Later

    • ‘Red,’ obviously the official Halloween colour palette, so naturally she gets her own bracelet altar. This is where you pull out your deepest crimson beads, glittering charms, and tiny stitched hearts — not because it’s cute, but because the colour has officially ascended to final boss energy.
    • “I’ll follow you home,” spoken by 22-era Taylor, who definitely sounded romantic at the time, but, in hindsight, is giving pure stalker apparition in the hallway. This bracelet is full-on letterbox charm energy — magazine cut-out notes, “I know where you live” chic, camped in the hydrangeas like it’s performance art.
    • ‘Holy Ground,’ except it’s not holy — it’s a devil’s tail cracking through the pavement while the choir screams in the distance. This one is a duo bracelet: angel charm for you, devil charm for the feral bestie. Together, you’re the unhinged biblical crossover nobody prayed for.
    • “In dreams, I meet you in warm conversation,” aka we are fully astral-dating our crushes because they are ghosting us in the human realm. (You’re not delusional, you’re just multi-plane romantic — huge difference.)

    1989 🗽: The Synth Stalker Tapes

    • ‘Blank Space’ gives us Taylor’s ultimate bewitching femme fatale — a playful reclamation of the media’s “serial heartbreak sorceress” caricature. So why not lean all the way in? Lipstick-print charms, velvet-red beads, and the energy of someone who doesn’t date men so much as glamor-spells them into accidental worship.
    • ‘Out of the Woods’ needs no translation — the wolves in the music video already spilled the genre. We are honestly never really “out.” Wolf charms, moon tokens, and breadcrumb-trail beads make it the perfect supernatural location tracker for when the forest decides to come looking again.
    • “Band-aids don’t fix bullet holes,” so forget CPR — this is a battlefield confession bracelet. It pairs best with “I lived to tell it” survivor energy and charms sharp enough to metaphorically (or questionably) draw blood.
    • “Say you’ll remember me” from ‘Wildest Dreams’ is less a romantic plea and more a phantom SOS, the kind of haunt that doesn’t rattle walls but slips into your subconscious every night just to make sure its memory stays fed. Cue tiny ghost charms, translucent beads, and that soft “I linger in your REM cycle” aesthetic.

    reputation 🐍: Burned At The Stake (And Came Back Louder)

    • “They’re burning all the witches even if you aren’t one” is peak Halloween-era Tay — and not the soft cottage-witch variety, the “throw water on me and see what happens” variety. Think: witch hat charms, black cats representing your eighth borrowed life, and tarot cards for good measure because you’re not hiding — you’re headlining the execution.
    • “Magician, illusionist” from ‘So It Goes…’ is basically the soft-launch trailer for ‘Mastermind’ years before Midnights existed — the precursor spell. This bracelet is white-bunny-charm coded: tricks up your sleeve, reality lightly bent, grin that says “I knew the trick before you saw the cards.”
    • ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ is the spooky season anthem — Taylor literally claws herself out of a grave like a glamorous revenant, and then immediately switches into the same chaotic energy as Regina George stomping down a hallway on Halloween night. Peak undead slayage.
    • And because the music video goes full dystopian-horror with that underground robot squad bunker, there’s bonus bracelet potential: get your girl gang together, dip into the hot-pink-and-snake aesthetic, and brand yourselves as matching reconstructed glitch-dolls from the same experimental lab batch.
    • And how could we ever forget Karyn — the most iconic inflatable snake in pop history, slithering her way through every Reputation Tour concert like she owned the stadium (because she did). She’s got us taking crash courses at Hogwarts just to brush up on our Parseltongue. So grab your best snake charm, twist your letter beads into a serpentine pattern, or even TikTok yourself crafting a snake out of beads — you know that tutorial already exists somewhere between WitchTok and SwiftTok.

    Lover 🦋: The Honeymoon Is A Blood Moon

    • “It’s all me, in my head,” or is it? The ultimate existential callout for anyone who’s ever wondered if they’re psychic or just accidentally tuning into another dimension.
    • ‘Cruel Summer’ — have you ever noticed how every teen horror flick happens in July? I Know What You Did Last Summer says hi. Pair it with tiny sun charms, ominous sea urchins, and beads in shades of “sunkissed-but-sinister” orange, because this isn’t about seasonal fun — it’s about heatstroke, heartbreak, and the moment before the scream.
    • ‘The Archer’ is what everyone’s going to guess when Swifties start playing Halloween Cluedo. Forget the butler — it was the glittering archer in the corner, loading a bow dipped in rose gold poison.
    • ‘Death By A Thousand Cuts’ — but instead of emotional trauma, it’s actual trauma. Like, there’s a chalk outline and your bracelet’s got knife charms. Romantic in the most catastrophically codependent way possible.

    folklore 🪵: Don’t Follow The ‘cardigan’

    • “She had a marvelous time ruining everything,” except now it’s sung through the POV of a seven-hundred-year-old poltergeist who treats legacy-haunting like Pinterest moodboarding. Think timeless but cursed — vintage charms, tarnished elegance, Victorian gloved-finger energy.
    • “I think I’ve seen this film before, and I didn’t like the ending,” isn’t you hate-watching a dusty VHS — it’s the spirit who’s already watched their own murder on repeat across lifetimes. Eternal spoilers, zero closure.
    • “I’m still on that trapeze,” is basically the teaser trailer for The Life of a Showgirl. An endless loop of curtain call → applause → reincarnation → same act again. A Groundhog Day circus performer whose spectacle is the curse. Cue tiny circus tents, acrobats, jesters’ hats — pastel vaudeville with teeth.
    • “I think your house is haunted / your dad is always mad” explains itself — you’ve had a monster under your bed since you were ‘Seven,’ and spoiler: it’s not Mike Wazowski, it is the trauma-fae that clocked your aura early and said, “yeah, I’ll haunt this one.”

    evermore 🍂: Ghosts Of The ‘ivy’ Grove

    • ‘willow’ finally embraced its destiny the minute fans held up those glowing yellow balloons at The Eras Tour — that wasn’t staging, that was literally a coven forming in real time. So yes, lantern charms, moon beads, and “meet me in the woods” witchcraft energy. Not a performance — a ritual.
    • “My mind turns your life into folklore” is code for “you are no longer a person, you are a mythic forest creature in my canon now.” Congratulations, you’ve been spiritually NPC’d into legend status.
    • ‘no body, no crime’ is the charm set for when the sirens are wailing and the shovel is still warm in your hands while your partner-in-homicidal-girlhood is rehearsing her alibi in panic. Cue spiderweb charms, black widow bows, and pastel coffin beads with tiny engraved crosses — the cuter the crime, the cleaner the cover-up.
    • “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were still around” is a sweet tribute to Marjorie from Taylor until you realize that’s the exact line that sets off an EMF meter. This is Winchester Brothers territory now — floral cardigan, mediumship one second, ghost-hunting salt circles the next.

    Midnights 🌌: The Mirror Witch

    • “Meet me at midnight” isn’t flirting — it’s a summoning timestamp. The Swiftie equivalent of spelling “midnight” on a ouija board and waiting for the planchette to twitch the moment the release party portal opens.
    • “I’m the monster on the hill,” says the self-aware creature who knows she’s getting an entire tribute bracelet — cue adorable-but-feral monster charms, stitched fangs, and that “lovable cryptid but make it sparkly” aura.
    • ‘Snow on the Beach’ already sounds like a coastal haunting, but “weird but fucking beautiful” is basically the thesis statement for fae-coded starcrossing. This is a soft witchcraft glamour duet with sea-salt side effects and charms.
    • “I don’t start shit, but I can tell you how it ends” is not a clapback — that’s oracle energy. A tarot-reader final boss moment for the girlies who don’t hex… they just foresee the consequence you’re about to walk into.

    The Tortured Poets 🪶 And Other Forbidden Summonings

    • ‘Down Bad’ is less heartbreak and more crop-field séance, waiting for the mothership’s spotlight to pull you into the flying-saucer afterparty — not to “visit,” but to stay. Permanent abduction chic.
    • The Tortured Poets Department is a typewriter haunting — the keys rattle on their own, the ribbon bleeds like old memory ink, and the bracelet looks like dusty parchment brought back from the dead: typewriter charms, cracked quills, ghostly letters, clear quartz for amplification, obsidian for psychic lock-and-key.
    • ‘My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys’ is the haunted nursery remix where the dolls are the ones dreaming their forever, and the teddy bears are the cowards sprinting toward the exit. The second devotion feels real. The dolls keep rocking in the corner like porcelain prophets of romance, waiting for the reunion they were promised — sugar-pink and bruise-purple beads, safety pin charms, and the soft threat of “you can run, but I’ll just reassemble you later.” Final-girl energy, but make it dollhouse possession (even Pretty Little Liars: ‘Welcome to the Dollhouse’ didn’t go this hard).
    • ‘Guilty as Sin?’ is motel-Bible confession-core — you’re clinging to the rosary charm while pretending that definitely isn’t a dead body in the other shadowy corner. Catholicism, but make it crime scene noir.

    The Life of a Showgirl ❤️‍🔥: The Show Must Never End

    • The Life of a Showgirl seems all rhinestones and red carpets until there’s that one fan in the front row who died three tours ago but is still tethered to the venue like it’s their unfinished business residency. So yes — bouquet charms, blood-splatter beads, and little red flowers stitched into the bracelet like funeral petals.
    • ‘Opalite’ is the crystal-coded showstopper — the infinity gauntlet of pretty. Soft, iridescent, man-made, and still absurdly enchanting, it’s the bead equivalent of stage lighting on skin. If anything is going to boost your aura stat sheet by +3, it’s this glimmering moon-glass shimmer.
    • “Something wicked this way comes” isn’t just a Broadway promo for Wicked: For Good — it’s the energy of stomping backstage in black leather boots, knowing you are the danger. That’s not a costume. That’s a soft threat disguised as choreography.
    • Instead of a revenge “hit list,” it’s a full-blown ‘Wi$h Li$t,’ the Halloween bucket list for dangerous women: curses you could cast, villains you might outdress, and charms that say “I don’t kill people — I manifest their downfall.”
    • ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ — but not the tragic drowning ingénue. She’s gone full mermaid-core revenant, making her comeback in Act II, coughing up stage water like a glamorous, slightly bloated fish who refuses to stay dead. Think swimming-ring callbacks to the music video, mini pool-float charms, and a few crashing-wave beads — ocean haunt couture, but make it Broadway.

    So, which spooky-fied friendship bracelet are you wearing — y’know, so the investigators can ID you when you inevitably become the most iconic final girl since “Easter-Egging the Zodiac Killer” became a Swiftie sport? Show off your cursed, cute creations on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook — we fully expect jump-scare level bragging rights. Bonus points if your bracelet can actually summon something.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TAYLOR SWIFT:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

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    Rachel Finucane

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  • The men of ‘Regretting You’ on Colleen Hoover, romantic movies and shirtless scenes

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    The plot of the new Colleen Hoover adaptation “Regretting You” is a little wild. There’s romance, an affair, unrequited love, death and even a baby with questionable paternity.

    Dave Franco, whose character has long pined for Allison Williams’ character but ends up having a child with her sister who is having an affair with her brother-in-law, said someone recently exclaimed to him, “What in the Maury Povich was that?”

    Tabloid talk show fodder though they might be, Hoover’s novels have hit a nerve with audiences and Hollywood. “It Ends With Us” made over $350 million worldwide against a $25 million budget and “Regretting You,” in theaters Friday, is one of several big-screen adaptations in the works.

    “I think Colleen Hoover is incredible when it comes to dealing with these messy family dynamics that feel relatable,” Franco said. “I think anyone who sees this film can attach themselves to at least one of the characters. It’s juicy, it’s dramatic.”

    Scott Eastwood plays Franco’s best friend and Williams’ husband (the one having an affair with his sister-in-law). Mason Thames plays the high schooler who starts dating Eastwood and Williams’ teenage daughter, played by Mckenna Grace, after her dad and aunt die in a car crash. Complicated does not even scratch the surface.

    The Associated Press gathered the men behind the drama, Franco, Eastwood and Thames, for freewheeling chat about the film, romantic touchstones, shirtless scenes and Eastwood’s Taylor Swift music video. Remarks have been edited for clarity and brevity.

    AP: Scott seems to have the most romantic credits to his name, even a Taylor Swift music video.

    FRANCO: Scott, I don’t know if you know this, did anyone tell you that we all watched the “Wildest Dreams” video on set?

    EASTWOOD: No.

    THAMES: I remember that! We all did.

    FRANCO: Mckenna didn’t realize that you were the guy. Like this is a video dear to her heart, and she put it together in the moment: Scott’s the guy from the “Wildest Dreams” video. She immediately called her mom. She goes “Scott’s the guy.” And we hear her mom through the phone go, “No!” You have a place in a lot of people’s hearts with that video.

    EASTWOOD: I’d never met Taylor Swift before. She called me out of the blue. She said, “Hey this is Taylor.” I’m, like, Taylor who?

    THAMES: I told Scott this the first day I met him, that I thought, before I knew him, from years in advance: best-looking man I’ve ever seen.

    FRANCO: And what was Scott’s reaction?

    EASTWOOD: I’m so sorry, this is your interview.

    AP: Romantic dramas, movies that make you cry, seem to be the kind of films that stick with people, like the outpouring of love for “The Way We Were” when Robert Redford died. What are those movies for you?

    EASTWOOD: It’s “The Notebook.”

    THAMES: “Spider-Man 2.”

    EASTWOOD: Didn’t see that one coming.

    FRANCO: I’ll go with “Stand By Me.” Classic, timeless, gives you a little bit of everything. You got the drama, you got the laughter, you’ve got the tears. What about “Jerry Maguire”?

    EASTWOOD: That’s a tear, like not a cry.

    FRANCO: I’m letting those tears fall, Scott. I think our director, Josh Boone, his guiding lights might have been Cameron Crowe: “Jerry Maguire,” “Almost Famous,” “Say Anything.” Those movies that have a little bit of everything and just feel timeless.

    AP: Were there any touchstones you used for your characters? Iconic romantic leads?

    THAMES: “The Notebook” was mine. Me and Mckenna watched “The Notebook” and “10 Things I Hate About You” and also “The Fault in Our Stars.”

    FRANCO: In “Regretting You,” you guys have that really strong passionate pull to each other. It’s almost Romeo and Juliet.

    THAMES: That’s kind of what we wanted. That’s what’s so special that we haven’t seen in so long from movies like this, is kind of the magic and the passion between two love interests.

    FRANCO: Scott, who were your reference characters?

    EASTWOOD: Mostly all of my romantic movies.

    FRANCO: Name them! Name them!

    EASTWOOD: Guys, this is a long list.

    FRANCO: I used the show “Normal People,” just because those characters go through this journey over the years and they have these peaks and valleys and there’s this really strong history between them. Also those actors are just very subtle, very real, very vulnerable.

    AP: Mason’s character in particular seems like a healthy role model for teenagers dating.

    THAMES: At the end of the day, he’s just a dude. I think this is the character that I’ve played that most resembles me.

    FRANCO: I’m going to give him a compliment. When you look back at like James Dean and Montgomery Clift, they were these actors who obviously were very strong and powerful and had a great presence, but they were super vulnerable and just not afraid to show that kind of sensitive side. I think Mason has that in spades.

    THAMES: I paid him a lot to say that.

    AP: There’s a bit of voyeurism involved being in something like a Colleen Hoover adaptation. What’s your comfort level with being seen as a kind of heartthrob?

    FRANCO: Scott should kick this off.

    EASTWOOD: It’s a two. But the scale is one to three. So it’s in the middle. I don’t pay attention to that stuff. I just think we made a cool movie. That’s all we can really do. Try to pay tribute to the books.

    FRANCO: Scott is shirtless in this movie for a little bit.

    EASTWOOD: That’s a lie!

    FRANCO: That’s NOT a lie.

    EASTWOOD: When am I shirtless in the movie?

    FRANCO: On the beach!

    EASTWOOD: Oh that’s right.

    THAMES: That’s why you should go see “Regretting You.” I’m also shirtless. He’s also shirtless.

    FRANCO: No, they cut my shirtless scene.

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  • Meghan Reportedly Sees Getting ‘Snubbed’ From Taylor Swift’s Wedding as a ‘Personal Insult’—She’s ‘Gearing Up to Be Angry’

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    Will Meghan Markle Be Invited to Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce’s Wedding?




























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    Lizzie Lanuza

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  • Taylor Swift’s Newest Obsession Can Teach You a Lot About Creativity

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    What’s the best way to stay fresh and creative when you’re putting in long hours and facing tight deadlines? Especially when you can’t take much time off? For Taylor Swift, the answer is to do something completely different–but also highly creative–that you’re passionate about.

    Many creative people take their hobbies very seriously. Steve Jobs famously followed his passion to a calligraphy course that later helped when it came time to create Apple’s fonts. Albert Einstein was an accomplished violinist. Swift bakes bread. Specifically, sourdough bread. Loaves and loaves of it.

    Whether you consider her a genius or not, there’s no denying that Swift’s creative output is prodigious and impressive. She recently released her 12th album, The Life of a Showgirl. It was mostly written while she performed three-hour shows in the long-running Eras tour, at the same time as she was releasing her 11th album, The Tortured Poets Department. Oh, and making it to every Kansas City Chiefs football game she could so she could cheer for her now-fiancé Travis Kelce.

    Swift works almost every waking hour.

    “My question is, when do you sleep?” Seth Meyers asked her in a recent interview on Late Night.

    “I actually sleep a lot,” she said. “It’s just that I don’t do anything other than this when I’m not sleeping.” She loves what she does so much that it doesn’t feel like work, she explained. And she does it for all her waking hours. Except when she’s baking bread.

    Baking allows her to stop her mind from continuing to work on songs. “It’s, like, stress relief,” she said. “Like, you’re following instructions. You’re doing a thing they’ve done for thousands of years. There’s something kind of calming about it.”

    It’s also a different form of creativity for Swift, and one that can be all-consuming. “It’s like I have when I have a hobby, it becomes an obsession, and then it becomes my entire personality,” she said. To prove her point, she gave two loaves of bread to Meyers before the show, in their own bakery-type bread bags, and covered with stickers that said things like “Are you bready for it?” and “The fate of Doughphelia” (a play on Swift’s new song, “The Fate of Ophelia.”) And, of course, there were pictures of Swift’s cats, another of her obsessions.

    She even described how delighted she was that a loaf of her bread made a cameo appearance on a table next to an apple in the “Fate of Ophelia” video. “It was a huge moment for me,” she said. She was accustomed to baking bread for texture and flavor, but this time she was aiming for visual appeal. “And I’m just really excited that it seems to have gone really well. Like, I did the feather scoring–” she paused in a moment of apparent realization “–that nobody cares about, except for me.”

    Baking bread is a healthy release.

    So, yup, beyond all doubt, Swift’s breadmaking had turned into an over-the-top obsession. But it’s also a healthy release from the pressures of her very public, very work-focused life. It’s a chance to do something completely different from writing songs, or making videos, or singing. It’s tactile, and extremely satisfying. And, just as important, it gives her creative, obsessive mind something different to focus on. It’s a way to let herself play.

    If you’re an entrepreneur or business leader, chances are you’re obsessed with your work, too. You may not have much time off. And you may still need to keep that creativity flowing and a fresh outlook. If so, try finding a hobby that fascinates you as much as bread fascinates Swift. It just may be the outlet, and the creative boost you need.

    There’s a growing audience of Inc.com readers who receive a daily text from me with a self-care or motivational micro-challenge or tip. Often, they text me back and we wind up in a conversation. (Want to know more? Here’s some information about the texts and a special invitation to a two-month free trial.) Many of my subscribers are entrepreneurs or business leaders. A lot of them are completely consumed by their work. But they also know how important it is to have creative passions that have nothing to do with their job. Should you give it a try?

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

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    Minda Zetlin

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  • Taylor Swift, LL Cool J, And Kenny Loggins Among Songwriters Hall Of Fame Nominees – KXL

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    NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift, Kenny Loggins, LL Cool J, Pink, Sarah McLachlan and Talking Heads’ David Byrne are among the impressive list of nominees for the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame class, an eclectic mix of pop, hip-hop, folk and rock innovators.

    Also on the ballot are Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine and Jane M. Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s, Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings of The Guess Who, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell of America and Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of the glam rock band Kiss.

    News of Simmons and Stanley’s inclusion comes days after the death of Ace Frehley, Kiss’ original lead guitarist and founding member. Frehley, 74, died Oct. 16 in New Jersey.

    Rounding out the performer-songwriter category is Richard Carpenter of The Carpenters (notable hits include “Goodbye To Love,” “Top Of The World” and “Yesterday Once More”), Harry Wayne Casey, better known as KC of KC and the Sunshine Band (“Rock Your Baby,” “That’s The Way (I Like It)” and “(Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty”) and guitarist Boz Scaggs.

    The Hall annually inducts performers and non-performers alike. The latter category’s nominees this year include disco songwriter Pete Bellotte (known for his work with Donna Summer on “Hot Stuff,” “I Feel Love” and “Love To Love You Baby”), Swedish pop producer of the legendary Cheiron Studios, Andreas Carlsson (Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way,” NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye,” Katy Perry’s “Waking Up In Vegas”) and Steve Kipner (Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical,” Christina Aguilera’s “Genie In A Bottle.”)

    The list also includes longtime Madonna collaborator Patrick Leonard (“Like A Prayer,” “Live To Tell”), Vini Poncia (The Ronettes’ “Do I Love You?,”), Martin Page (Starships’ “We Built This City”), Kenny Nolan (Labelle’s “Lady Marmalade”) and the duo Terry Britten and Graham Lyle (Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It.”)

    Eligible voting members have until midnight Eastern on Dec. 4 to turn in ballots with their choices of up to three nominees from the songwriter category and up to three from the performing-songwriter category.

    Representing country songwriters are Jeffrey Steele (Rascal Flatts’ “What Hurts The Most,” Tim McGraw’s “The Cowboy In Me”), Don Williams’ “Good Ole Boys Like Me”) and Larry Weiss (Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy,” Jeff Beck’s “Hi Ho Silver Lining.”)

    R&B-pop songwriters are also prevalent this year with Tom Snow (The Pointer Sisters’ “He’s So Shy,” Deniece Williams’ “Let’s Hear it for the Boy”) and Christopher “Tricky” Stewart (Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” and “Break My Soul.”)

    A few performers are getting another shot at entry. Walter Afanasieff, who helped Mariah Carey with her smash “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and who was previously nominated in the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame class, is up for induction again this year.

    The Guess Who’s Bachman and Cummings — as well as Bob McDill, known for country classics like Dan Seals’ “Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold)” — are also returning nominees.

    The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969 to honor those creating the popular music. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song.

    Some already in the hall include Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Lionel Richie, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond, Phil Collins, R.E.M., Steely Dan, Dean Pitchford, Hillary Lindsey and Timbaland.

    The 2025 class included George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers, Ashley Gorley, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, The Beach Boys’ Mike Love and Tony Macaulay.

    The 2026 inductees will be announced in early 2026.

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    Grant McHill

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  • In 1 Sentence, Taylor Swift Gave Some of the Best Success Advice You’ll Ever Hear

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    What’s the single best thing you can do as an entrepreneur or business leader to ensure the success of your company, your new project, or your team? Make sure to work with people who are smarter than you are. Taylor Swift once gave that simple but powerful advice to Selena Gomez, the entrepreneur and actor known for her appearance in the series Only Murders in the Building. She’s also the founder of Rare Beauty, a hugely successful makeup company that donates 1 percent of sales to support mental health initiatives for young people.

    “One thing that stuck out to me, and I’ll always remember it, she said, ‘If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room,’” Gomez recalled during an onstage interview at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit. “That’s why I surround myself with really incredible people. There’s no dumb questions.”

    Many brilliant entrepreneurs, including Warren Buffett, have given similar advice. And, as an entrepreneur, Swift’s is well worth listening to. In addition to being a pop icon, and Time person of the year in 2023, she also brings her considerable creativity and smarts to how she runs her business as a star performer. She orchestrated special-event cinematic releases–and even a book–in conjunction with her Eras tour and album releases. When she lost control of the master recordings of her first six albums, she re-recorded all of them, inviting fans to choose her new “Taylor’s version” of the music over the originals. Most did.

    Thanks to all these smart moves, and an incredible amount of hard work, Swift became the first musician to become a billionaire on the strength of their music and performances alone, rather than through some combination of music and other money-making activities, such as Jay-Z’s liquor brands.

    Taylor Swift seeks out people who are smarter than she is.

    Whether or not you’re a fan of her music, it’s clear that Swift is very, very smart. So I find it revealing that one of her priorities is to find and learn from people who are even smarter than she is. It’s a fantastic way for someone with one set of skills, such as a musician and songwriter, to acquire other skills, such as how to successfully publish a book, launch a movie, or reward her employees. It’s true for every entrepreneur: The more you learn, the better off you are, and both you and your business are likelier to thrive if you keep on learning throughout your life.

    That’s what makes Swift’s advice to Gomez so useful to keep in mind. Next time you find yourself in a room where you seem to be the smartest person, ask yourself if there’s someplace else you should be.

    There’s a growing audience of Inc.com readers who receive a daily text from me with a self-care or motivational micro-challenge or tip. Often, they text me back and we wind up in a conversation. (Want to know more? Here’s some information about the texts and a special invitation to a two-month free trial.) Many of my subscribers are entrepreneurs or business leaders. They know how important it is to always keep learning throughout their careers. Surrounding yourself with incredible people is a great start.

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

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    Minda Zetlin

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  • Exclusive Interview: ‘Shake It Off,’ Read It On: Diving Into Love Stories (The Taylors Version #1) With Elizabeth Eulberg

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    Glitter-star confetti exploding out of parcels, “13”s doodled on our hands — Taylor Swift’s got us deep in our showgirl eras, but bestselling author Elizabeth Eulberg is taking us way back to the Fearless days with Love Stories (The Taylors Version #1). It’s a YA gem about four friends, all rocking variations of Taylor’s name, each falling headfirst into first love — because honestly, if anyone’s gonna make love stories feel universal, it’s Taylor Swift. We caught up with Elizabeth to talk all things Taylor-isms— from chapter titles inspired by iconic songs to pages literally formatted like stan group chats (yes, she gets it).

    Right from the jump, Maya Marlette (who you describe as your Jack Antonoff), the senior editor at Scholastic, opens her note with “Dear reader,” which, of course, is a track on Midnights (3am Edition). How important was it for you to collaborate with people who were also Taylor fans?
    Who isn’t a Taylor fan? But yes! It was so wonderful not only working with Maya, who has been my editor for my last couple of books, but knowing she was a Swiftie. I loved when she got references that I put in. And when the book went through the stages of production, there were various copyedits and production folks at Scholastic who were leaving comments in the manuscripts about Easter Eggs, which made me so happy!

    Liz Parkes designed the cover for this book alongside its sister novel, The Taylors by Jen Calonita. Both covers capture moments from The Eras Tour and Taylor’s iconic looks (like the ‘22’ music video outfit and the Fearless tasseled dress). What was it like working with her, and is there a costume you secretly wish had made it onto the cover?
    I love Liz’s illustrations. It was so fun—and a little emotional—to see the Taylors grow up in her art. She captured it perfectly and recreated their homecoming looks on my cover better than I could’ve ever imagined. I love the cover of the sequel, Cruel Summer, even more. Now I need to find a reason to get these girls in sequins and feathers for their showgirl era!

    Image Source: Courtesy of Trade Publicity | Scholastic Inc.

    Jen Calonita is also one of your best friends, making this the perfect writing duo. Was there a particular night during the process that felt like a “pinch me, can’t believe we’re doing this” moment?
    We had so many pinch-me moments: having long FaceTime sessions where we developed the characters, reading each other’s works, brainstorming… But when the books were announced—in People Magazine, no less!!—and seeing the response to this secret we were keeping was definitely a highlight. And now, having the books come out on the heels of a brand-new Taylor album?!?! Never in our wildest dreams!

    Jen’s book is geared toward middle graders, while yours leans more YA. What drew you to tell your story for that audience in particular?
    Tackling their first loves just lent itself to YA. I love how the readers can grow alongside these characters. I also get to explore the characters a bit more, as Jen’s is through one character’s POV, but in YA I could give them each their moments and voices. Plus, drama and tension are just so high school.

    The four friends in the book—Taylor, Tay Tay, TS, and Teffy—are essentially different versions of Taylor. When you hear each of those names, what personality trait or defining characteristic immediately comes to mind?
    I love these four girls so much, and while they are BFFs and Swifties for life, they are very different. Teffy is more reserved, Tay is very ENERGETIC!, Taylor is fierce, and TS is focused. But they work so well together. TS can be Teffy’s voice when she’s being shy, Tay can boost anybody’s confidence and make things FUN!, Teffy is who you go to when you need someone to listen to you, and Taylor will always have your back.

    Stan Twitter group chats and Discord servers are a huge part of modern fandom, and at various points throughout the book, your characters chat online just like real fans do. Why was it important to weave those details into the story, and is there another scene in the book where that really shines?
    I loved writing the group chats before every chapter. They really let their personalities shine (and add some Easter Eggs about the next chapter). Technology is such a big part of life for everybody, but especially teens, so I had to incorporate that. It comes into play more in the second book when one of the girls goes viral…but no spoilers!

    Each chapter title borrows from a Taylor song. Is there one pairing you’re especially proud of because the song perfectly mirrors the chapter’s theme?
    Yes! I first wrote a rough draft before I did the chapter titles. Then I decided to make my life extra complicated by having the chapter number line up with the track number on the album (for instance ‘the 1’ is chapter one in my book, and the first song on evermore). So when I went to look at the second track on Taylor’s albums, ‘Fifteen’ fit in so perfectly with the chapter I already wrote—including a couple lines that a guy says to one of the Taylors. It was very, VERY eerie!

    While the book is light and fun, it also touches on serious topics like standing up for friends, grooming, and cheating. Why do you think placing these conversations in the world of Taylor makes them easier for teens to engage with?
    Life is hard, especially for young girls. While I always want people to enjoy reading my books, there’s a responsibility to tackle some difficult subjects. Hopefully, having it in a book makes it easier for people to talk about it as they can relate it to a fictional character. Taylor Swift can make a bop about complicated issues (like online bullying in ‘You Need to Calm Down’) that has people singing along and thinking. It’s a balance that I hope I did half as well as her!

    One of the standout elements of the story is how it shows Taylor’s music speaking to every kind of love story—like TS’s crush on her London girl, which flips pronouns in the way fans often do. Is there a Taylor song you think feels especially universal, or that resonates beyond traditional love story boundaries?
    Taylor Swift has such an amazing catalog of songs that speak to universal feelings like feeling unseen (‘You Belong with Me’), break-ups (so many, but ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ is a song that I’ve blasted on more than one occasion post break-up), revenge (‘Look What You Made Me Do’), but I think the one song that everybody could use from time to time is ‘Shake it Off’ because the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate…

    Teffy’s love story is left open-ended, which feels like a nod to fans who grew up living vicariously through Taylor’s music without having their own fairy-tale romance. How do you hope those fans will connect with this part of the book?
    I hope readers will be curious enough to pick up the sequel, Cruel Summer, where we’ll get to see what happens with Teffy and the rest of the Taylors the summer after freshman year—coming January 6th!

    Chapter title = banger. Which one hit your heartstrings the hardest? Read Love Stories (The Taylors Version #1) and slide into our comments on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. 💖🐈

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ELIZABETH EULBERG:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

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    Rachel Finucane

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  • Productivity Is Hurting Your Creativity. Just Look at Taylor Swift

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    When Taylor Swift released her new album, The Life of a Showgirl, listeners online found not only easter eggs, but familiar tunes too.

    According to internet users, the album’s namesake track, “The Life of A Showgirl” closely resembles the Jonas Brothers’ “Cool” and Jordin Spark’s “Air.”

    It’s not just the one song. Users have drawn comparisons to Pixie’s “Where is my mind?” and The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back,” as well as music from Post Malone, The Ronettes, and Mexican singer Luis Miguel.

    “She sued Olivia for less,” a user commented on a TikTok with 6 million views comparing Swift’s new tracks to older songs. The comment, which echoed several others left on the video, references Olivia Rodrigo crediting Swift on songs inspired by her—although Swift never actually sued Rodrigo.

    Nothing New

    Yet, the issue of music sounding the time or homogenous is not new. A report from 12 years ago by the Spanish National Research Council found that music in the last 50 year has become less diverse sounding.

    These days, the music industry’s dependance on social media platforms is exacerbating the homogeneity. According to TikTok data, 84 percent of songs that entered the Billboard Global 200 last year went viral on TikTok first.

    “When every viral trend depends on instant recognition, producers are more likely to rework hooks or melodies that audiences already know,” music industry director Nikki Camilleri told Inc. “Sampling itself isn’t lazy,” she clarifies, noting that “it can be deeply creative when used to reimagine, not replicate.”

    But, beyond the algorithm, an issue of hyper-productivity arises, with quantity overriding quality and uniqueness.

    “The challenge is that in today’s fast-turnover pop ecosystem, commercial pressure often pushes artists to lean on nostalgia rather than innovation,” Camilleri says.

    Jeffrey Davis, Business Growth & Thought Leader Strategist and author of Tracking Wonder agrees, explaining that oftentimes hyper-productivity dulls and dilutes creativity.

    “Our culture of productivity loves to optimize and block every hour and being very efficient and productive and getting things done. But that’s not where innovation happens,” he says. In a way, Swift’s hyper-productivity (or over production) could stunt creativity leading to more homogenous and familiar sounding music.

    Shake it Off

    So how does one get out of the rut?

    “I work with teams in technology and I get them to take breaks from the screen, do something analog, like sketch in a notebook. Do something with their hands,” Davis says. “Some people knit just to get their brains working in a different way, and to pay attention to what’s happening on the margins of their thoughts, rather than just trying to get something done.”

    Award-winning creativity strategist Natalie Nixon also believes that the best work happens when taking a step back. She recommends making space for creative strategic thinking and prioritizing rest as ways of harnessing creativity.

    Other ways to spark creativity are often simple, from taking a shower, to getting a hobby, or even walking and talking. Even though it might feel counter intuitive, taking time leads to more productivity.

    “A lot of innovation comes from mind wandering,” david says. “From stepping away from screens, from literally taking a wonder walk to allow those sort of insights happen.”

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    María José Gutierrez Chavez

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  • No, Taylor Swift did not turn down the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show

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    NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift says she did not turn down the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, which will be headlined by Bad Bunny.

    “The Life of a Showgirl” singer paid a visit to “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Monday and dispelled a few rumors. Most notably, she shared she did not turn down the NFL’s biggest stage because she wouldn’t be allowed to own the performance footage, as claimed in a popular internet rumor.

    “No, no, no,” Swift said.

    The Super Bowl halftime show is produced by the NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation — the latter founded by music mogul Jay-Z.

    “Jay-Z has always been very good to me. Our teams are really close. Like, they sometimes will call and say, ‘How does she feel about the Super Bowl?’ And that’s not like an official offer or, like, an official conference room conversation,” Swift told Fallon. “We’re always able to tell him the truth, which is that, like, I am in love with a guy who does that sport on that actual field,” she continued, referring to fiance Travis Kelce — a star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and a Super Bowl champion.

    Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, right, is congratulated by Taylor Swift as they celebrate the Chiefs victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

    “Like, that is violent chess. That is gladiators without swords. That is dangerous. The whole season I am locked in on what that man is doing on the field,” she said.

    “Can you imagine if he’s out there every single week, like putting his life on the line, doing this very dangerous, very high pressure, high intensity sport and I’m like, ‘I wonder what my choreo(graphy) should be?,’” Swift joked.

    “‘I think we should do two verses of ‘Shake It Off’ into ‘Blank Space’ into ‘Cruel Summer’ would be great.’ And this is nothing to do with Travis, he would love for me to do it, I’m just too locked in.”

    Last month, it was announced that global superstar Bad Bunny will bring his Latin trap, reggaeton swagger and Puerto Rican pride to the Super Bowl live from Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, California.

    It’s an ideal casting: Bad Bunny is fresh off a historic Puerto Rico residency that drew more than half a million fans and is leading all nominees at the Latin Grammys in November.

    “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself,” Bad Bunny said in a statement. “It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history.”

    On Saturday, Bad Bunny hosted the season 51 premiere of “Saturday Night Live” with a few jokes about his forthcoming Super Bowl halftime show.

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  • Monterey Bay Aquarium re-releases vintage otter tee worn by Taylor Swift to raise funds

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    After Taylor Swift was seen wearing a vintage Monterey Bay Aquarium otter t-shirt in a movie promoting her latest album, the aquarium has reissued the shirt to raise funds for its Sea Otter Program.

    The aquarium said they had been receiving a surge in donations and interest after the musician wore the shirt in the movie “Official Release Party of a Showgirl“, coinciding with the release of her latest album “The Life of a Showgirl.” Many of the donations were $13, Swift’s favorite number.

    “Intentional or not, by putting our sea otter conservation work in the spotlight, this has brought a new era of support and awareness to the Aquarium’s long history of ocean conservation,” said a statement on the aquarium’s website Thursday.

    After tracking down the original artwork of the shirt, which was first printed in the 1990s and features two otters swimming, the aquarium launched the fundraiser. The original shirt was printed by Harborside Graphics, which was later subsumed into Liberty Graphics based in Maine.

    Aquarium officials said the shirts feature PVC-free water-based inks and are 100% cotton that does not shed microplastics. Reducing pollution from plastic, which often ends up in oceans, is one of the aquarium’s main missions.

    The shirts, which are available in adult and kid sizes, are $65.13. As of about 11 a.m. Thursday, the fundraiser had raised more than $600,000 out of a $1.3 million goal. The aquarium said supplies of the shirt would be limited.

    Released on Oct. 3, “The Life of a Showgirl” is the 14-time Grammy-award winner’s 12th studio album. Swift announced the album in August on “New Heights,” the podcast hosted by her fiancé, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce.  

    All 12 tracks of the album hold the top 12 spots in this week’s Billboard Hot 100, with “The Fate of Ophelia” holding the top spot on the chart.

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    Tim Fang

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  • William & Kate Are Reportedly Close to Attending Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce’s Wedding After Her ‘Private Letters’ to the Princess ‘During Her Difficult Year’

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    If Jeff Bezos’ wedding to Lauren Sanchez was considered the celebrity event of 2025, there’s no doubt that Taylor Swift’s wedding to Travis Kelce will be the social event of the season when it happens. And though Swift has been knee deep into promoting her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, and has yet to start wedding planning in full, some details about what we can expect are already being reported.

    That includes possible guests. A source told Fox News Digital that Swift wants to invite Prince William and Kate Middleton to her wedding. “Taylor Swift is one very canny operator — developing her fan base, working incredibly hard writing some of the most popular pop tunes of the last decade, and cementing a good friendship with the future king Prince William over 10 years ago — a relationship that has culminated in private letters, inspirational cards and good wishes to Princess Catherine during her difficult year,” the insider said. Now, that’s quite interesting and seemingly a good reason for an invite.

    Related: See who Taylor Swift dated before finding the one

    And that’s not all. “Now, Taylor is planning the wedding of all weddings, but this is what makes her unique,” the source continued. “She wants to use the wedding not just to say as a celebration of love, but also to thank people who have made the journey to this point along the way and that will include all manner of people from all manner of backgrounds”

    Swift said in a series of interviews to promote her new album that she had yet to start planning, but she also told the host of The Graham Norton Show that she was planning to invite him.

    “Is next year the wedding year?” Norton asked Swift. “Is that what’s happening?”

    “Oh, you’ll know,” Swift replied. “I mean, I was going to invite you to it.”

    The singer also confirmed the wedding would be huge, and made it clear her guest list was going to be extensive, though she didn’t give a date or a date range for it.

    “I’m so excited about it,” she added. “I know it’s going to be fun to plan because I think the only stressful weddings are the ones where you have a small amount and people are on the bubble. And you have to evaluate or assess your relationship with them to see if they should be there.” But that’s not the case. “I’m not going to do that,” she shared.

    The reported size of the wedding seems to support recent comments from iconic wedding dress designer Vera Wang, who was asked what Swift would wear to the wedding while speaking to E! News at the DKMS 19th Annual Gala on Oct. 14. “I don’t think there’ll be just one [dress]. But that’d be my guess,” Wang said.

    And considering what Swift has said about it, that feels fair. If you’re thinking of inviting everyone you’ve ever come in contact with, potentially including the Prince and Princess of Wales, then you probably need to wear a few different dresses for that party. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez who?

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    Lizzie Lanuza

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  • Taylor Swift, In Her Own Words: 5 Ways to Live a Happy, Rewarding, and Successful Life

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    Taylor Swift’s new album The Life of a Showgirl is inarguably a commercial and popular success with over 4 million equivalent units (album sales and streaming activity), and all 12 songs hitting the top of the Billboard 100.

    So yeah: Swift knows juust a little about being successful.

    But as ESPN writer and author Wright Thompson once told me, Swift might be the most incredible person in American life.

    As Thompson said:

    She experienced global, nuclear success at a young age. And she’s continued to be incredibly successful. Yet she never had that “teen star” meltdown.

    Her success is amazing … but even more incredible is that she’s mature, well-rounded, and happy. That accomplishment is truly staggering.

    How does Swift pull off that balance? While I’m not necessarily a fan of her music (I’m old), I am a fan of a few of her perspectives on success and happiness.

    Taylor Swift on Kindness

    Jeff Bezos says that while cleverness is a gift, kindness is a choice. Mark Cuban says one of the most underrated skills in business is being nice.

    Swift — she of the massive bonuses given to the Eras Tour crew — says:

    No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.

    Choose to include rather than exclude. Choose to build people up rather than tear them down. Choose to give before you receive, knowing you may never receive. Choose to shift the spotlight to other people. Choose to listen more than you talk. 

    Choose to be nice: not because you’re expected to, but simply because you can.

    Start being nicer and you’ll be a lot more likely to get what you want, especially over the long term. And you’ll surely build better professional and personal relationships.

    Win-win.

    Taylor Swift on the Power of Solitude

    A study published in the British Journal of Psychology found that people who socialize more tend to be happier, which makes sense: relationships, friendships, connections, spending time with people we enjoy… those things tend to make us happier.

    But that’s not completely true if you’re highly intelligent; the same study found that the more highly intelligent people socialized, the less happy they became. 

    Swift appears to fall into that camp:

    I am alone a lot, which is good. I need that time to just be alone after a long day, to just decompress.

    Why? One theory is aspirational: the smarter you are, possibly the more focused you will be on longer-term goals — which means spending too much time socializing can be distracting instead of helpful. (In short, if you’re always hanging out with people, you aren’t getting stuff done.)

    The above study is just one study, though, and may only be directionally accurate. Plus, the relationship between intelligence and the desire for “alone time” doesn’t necessarily work in reverse. (I’m a great example: I like time alone, but I’m not particularly bright.)

    In your case, though? If you like to spend time alone working on a project, learning something new, developing your business plan, or grinding away on the things you need to do achieve your goals… don’t assume you’re a loner.

    And definitely don’t assume you’re antisocial. There could be a much better answer.

    You might just be smarter than most people.

    Taylor Swift on Giving Advice

    Jeff Bezos’s boss at a hedge fund tried to discourage him from resigning to start Amazon, saying his idea was “probably a better idea for someone who doesn’t have a good job.” Roy Disney, Walt Disney’s brother and business partner, tried to talk him out of making . Warren Buffett’s father told him it was a bad time to enter the securities industry.

    Granted, I’m cherry-picking examples, but still. As Swift says:

    I never give advice unless someone asks me for it.

    One thing I’ve learned, and possibly the only advice I have to give, is to not be that person giving out unsolicited advice based on your own personal experience. 

    Even when asked for advice, who are we to tell anyone what to do? We’re us. We’re not them. 

    What we can do, though, is help the people who ask for advice work through the process of making the right decision .

    The next time you’re tempted to offer unsolicited advice, resist the temptation. If you’re asked for advice, don’t tell that person what to do. And definitely don’t say what you would do. 

    Instead, try to help that person find the right questions to ask themselves.

    Because no matter how smart or experience we might like to think we are… their answers are the only answers that matter.

    Taylor Swift on Goals

    While nearly everyone has at least one major goal they want to achieve, statistics show very few people actually achieve that goal.

    In part, that’s because most of our limits are self-imposed. We can always do more than we think. Navy SEALs call it the 40 percent rule: when you think you’re done, when your mind says you’re exhausted, fried, and totally tapped out, you still have 60 percent left in your tank.

    Yet your emotions — in this case, your emotional response to the fatigue, effort, or mental challenges you normally don’t face — get the best of you. Change is hard. Adding something new to an already packed schedule is hard. Those first few days of trying to create a minimum viable product, or cold-calling in search of an enabling customer, or training for a marathon, or embarking on any difficult long-term journey towards a major goal?

    They’re .

    Especially if you look too far ahead.

    Swift’s approach?

    As soon as I accomplish one goal, I replace it with another one.

    I try not to get too far ahead of myself. I just say to myself, ‘All right, I’d like to headline a tour,’ and then when I get there, I’ll see what my next goal is. 

    But what if you struggle to get started with your first goal? Try embracing the two-week rule. Pick a goal. Pick something you feel you want to achieve. Create a daily process or routine you will follow. 

    Then commit to following that routine for two weeks. For each of the next 14 days, keep your head down and focus solely on what you need to do that day. Not next week. Not next month. Not next year.

    Just that day.

    At the end of two weeks, you’ll know whether you want to keep going. You’ll know whether the goal you chose means something to you, or was just a whim. (Either outcome is fine; “wasting” two weeks only to find out you don’t want to run a marathon is better than spending the next 20 years feeling like a failure because you still think you want to… but haven’t.)

    If you decide to keep going, the two weeks you put in will make it much more likely you’ll stay the course over the long term. Partly because of the improvement you’ve made — improving is always fun, and we all like to do things we’re good at — and because your emotions will start to work for you, not against you.

    The pride you’ll feel in having stayed the course will help fuel future effort. The fulfillment you’ll gain from doing something most people can’t will do wonders for your confidence. The knowledge that you can achieve more than you ever dreamed possible will inspire you to reach even farther. 

    Pick one goal, and commit to two weeks. If you can’t do something for two weeks, the goal didn’t mean enough to you.

    But if you can do it for two weeks, then the odds are good you can, with time and effort, achieve what you really want to achieve. 

    And you can decide what your next goal should be.

    Taylor Swift on Happiness

    Success in business — and in life — means different things to different people. “Success” should mean different things to different people. Whether or not you feel successful depends on how you define success, and on the tradeoffs you are willing to not just accept but embrace as you pursue your definition of success.

    Even so, the best way to define success is to ask yourself a simple question: “How happy am I?” How successful you are — more importantly, how successful you feel — is largely based solely on the answer to that question.

    As Swift says:

    I have this really high priority on happiness, and finding something to be happy about.

    My ultimate goal is to end up being happy, most of the time.

    Sound impossible? Think about it this way. Compartmentalize all you want, but no single aspect of your life can truly be separated from the others. Business success, family and friends, personal pursuits — since each is a permanent part of the whole, putting more focus on one area automatically reduces the focus on another area.

    Want to make more money? You can, but something else has to give. Want more time with family? Want to help others? Want to pursue a hobby? You can, but in each case, something else has to give.

    What motivates you? What do you want to achieve for yourself and your family? What do you value most, spiritually, emotionally, and materially? That’s what will make you happy — and if you aren’t doing it, you won’t be happy.

    Defining what “success” means to you is important, but taking a clear-eyed look at the impact of your definition matters even more. As in most things, your intention is important, but the results provide the real answer.

    Ask yourself if you’re happy. If you are, you’re successful. The happier you are, the more successful you are.

    And if you aren’t happy? It’s time to make some changes.

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

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    Jeff Haden

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  • What’s Trending On TikTok This Week: Taylor Swift, Charli xcx, Kid Cudi, And More

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    It’s October 10, 2025, and this week on TikTok, trending audios are being led by Taylor Swift’s new album, The Life Of A Showgirl, with some familiar favorites following closely behind. We’ve been scrolling all week, watching edits of our faves, and of course, learning a new viral dance or two.

    Here are the viral trending audios on TikTok that we’ve been loving lately.

    ‘The Fate Of Ophelia’ By Taylor Swift

    Keeping it “100 on the land, the sea, and the sky!” When Taylor Swift dropped The Life Of A Showgirl last week, we knew at least one or two songs would start trending on TikTok. The internet has decided to adopt ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ as their weekly audio, and we’re not complaining! There’s also a dance, inspired by the music video, to go with it, so make sure you’re also participating in this fun trend. We want to see our honeybees on our FYP!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TAYLOR SWIFT:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    ‘Everything Is Romantic’ By Charli xcx

    We’re hearing “fall in love again and again” every other scroll this week. Brat is still on a constant replay in our hive, and ‘Everything Is Romantic’ brings all those fall sad girl vibes we need this season. This trend reminds us to be grateful for the little things in life that make us fall in love – dinner dates with the girls, concerts with our online friends, reading romance novels, and life’s little everyday celebrations. What makes your life romantic?

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHARLI XCX:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    ‘Maui Wowie’ By Kid Cudi

    An unlikely song that has suddenly popped up on our FYP is Kid Cudi’s ‘Maui Wowie.’ The trend? Run to New York City and hang from a stoplight or other city pole. Even though this song came out in 2008, it’s made its way back around the internet. This is why we love TikTok audios! We’re reminded of all the 2000s classics that we haven’t heard in years. Should we take a hive field trip to NYC to participate in this trend?

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KID CUDI:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

    ‘Everywhere’ By Fleetwood Mac

    Speaking of classics, ‘Everywhere’ by Fleetwood Mac is now back on our feed! This song seems to always make its rounds at least a few times a year, especially in the autumn season. You’ll hear ‘Everywhere’ on your feed with compilation videos of all things girly and wholesome. Add some simple text to the screen and hit upload – it’s an instant viral hit.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT STEVIE NICKS:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE

    ‘We Fell In Love In October’ By Girl In Red

    Every fall season, this audio makes its rounds on TikTok, and we’re sure you’ve probably heard it a handful of times by now. Picture this: warm coffees, cozy Uggs, and pumpkin carving with your bestie. Girl In Red knows how to make all the fall vibes immaculate, and ‘We Fell In Love In October’ is an essential add to any fall playlist or TikTok video.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GIRL IN RED:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

    ‘WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!’ By RAYE

    RAYE is taking 2025 and TikTok by storm with her latest release, ‘WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!’ We’re so glad RAYE is finally getting her flowers – it’s about time! You may also know RAYE from some of her other viral TikTok hits, like ‘Escapism’ a few years ago. Use her new song, though, on your next video and make sure you tag RAYE herself so she can see it! Tell her The Honey POP! sent you!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RAYE:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

    ‘TIT FOR TAT’ By Tate McRae

    When is a Tate McRae song not trending? Tate knows how to make a viral hit, teasing it before it’s even launched. However, ‘TIT FOR TAT’ was dropped by surprise by the singer, and now it’s all over our for you pages. It’s the ultimate revenge track – we’re cheering Tate on from our phone screens! Use this song over a GRWM or storytime. Better yet, show off your Miss Possessive Tour looks and tag Tate.

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TATE MCRAE:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

    Which of these songs have you heard the most on TikTok this week? What are your predictions for next week’s trending songs? Let us know down in the comments or hit us up on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

    Looking for more trending music news? See what we’ve got, honeybee!

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    Alana

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  • Taylor Swift has announced a new behind-the-scenes docuseries of her Eras tour

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    After the launch of The Life of a Showgirl earlier this month, Taylor Swift is gifting us with yet another treat. A six-part behind the scenes docuseries of her legendary, record-breaking Eras tour is set to drop on Disney+ later this year.

    At the same time, a full concert video of a Vancouver Eras show, named Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show, will also drop, featuring the entire set of The Tortured Poets Department – which was added to the tour’s setlist after the album was released back in 2024.

    The singer confirmed the news herself in an Instagram post: “We wanted to remember every moment leading up to the culmination of the most important and intense chapter of our lives, so we allowed filmmakers to capture this tour and all the stories woven throughout it as it wound down. And to film the final show in its entirety,” she wrote. Taylor also announced the news on US chat show Good Morning America.

    The series has been described in a statement from Disney as “a 6-episode behind-the-scenes docuseries event chronicling the development, impact, and inner-workings that created the phenomenon that was The Eras Tour, and Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show, the full concert film featuring The Tortured Poets Department.”

    Swifties will be glad to know that we will get an “intimate look” at Taylor’s life as she embarked on her mammoth tour that spawned a million friendship bracelets. Also expect performers such as Gracie Abrams, Sabrina Carpenter, her best pal Ed Sheeran and Florence Welch to appear.

    Disney

    Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The End of an Era release date

    It will begin streaming on 12 December on Disney+, with two episodes debuting each week for three weeks. Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show will also drop on 12 December.

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    Charley Ross

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  • Taylor Swift Bringing Six-Episode ‘Eras Tour’ Documentary and ‘Final Show’ Concert Film to Disney+ in December

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    A documentary about Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour has long been the stuff of rumor, and now it’s finally confirmed as the stuff of reality — but there’s much more to it than expected. The singer announced Monday that a six-part docuseries, “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The End of an Era,” will premiere on Disney+ on Dec. 12, accompanied by the simultaneous release of a new concert film, “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show,” shot at the tour finale in Vancouver, B.C.

    As announced on “Good Morning America,” the documentary series is described as “an intimate look at Taylor’s life as her tour made headlines and thrilled fans around the world,” spotlighting “performers, family members, and friends” including tour opening acts Gracie Abrams and Sabrina Carpenter and guests Ed Sheeran and Florence Welch. The first two of the six episodes will go up for streaming on Dec. 12, with two more episodes at a time each of the two weeks after that.

    The concert film bows at the same time as those first two docuseries installments. It will mark the first time fans have gotten a chance to see the material that was added to the Eras Tour from the “Tortured Poets Department” on the big screen. Her earlier “Eras Tour” theatrical concert film (which also eventually made its way to Disney+) was released before that album came out or songs from it were added to the tour set list.

    A teaser trailer for the documentary lasting a minute and 39 seconds was released right after the announcement; watch it below.

    “It was the End of an Era and we knew it,” Swift wrote in announcing the projects on her social media. “We wanted to remember every moment leading up to the culmination of the most important and intense chapter of our lives, so we allowed filmmakers to capture this tour and all the stories woven throughout it as it wound down. And to film the final show in its entirety.”

    “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The End of an Era” is directed by Don Argott, co-directed by Sheena M. Joyce and produced by Object & Animal. “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show,” meanwhile, is directed by Glenn Weiss and produced by Taylor Swift Productions in association with Silent House Productions.

    The concert movie will show viewers the Eras Tour finale that took place at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver on Dec. 8, 2024. (Read Variety‘s review of that show here.) Her setlist for that capper to the $2 billion-grossing, nearly two-year tour ran to 45 songs and included the additional “Female Rage: The Musical Segment” that had been added to the show after the release of “The Tortured Poets Department.” Additionally, the “surprise songs” segment for that show featured medleys of “A Place in This World”/”New Romantics” and “Long Live/New Year’s Day.” It wasn’t immediately revealed whether the concert film will include the entire length of the show.

    News of which platforms would be running with Swift’s next project — or, as it now turns out, projects — had already been tipped on Sunday, when the logos for Disney+ and Hulu were overlaid atop the Instagram image “GMA” posted teasing a big on-air announcement from Swift for Monday morning. There’s synergy aplenty there, with the reveal coming on the Disney-owned ABC.

    The likely existence of a documentary and/or concert film had weighed heavy on Swifties’ minds ever since they noticed the presence of camera crews above and beyond what was needed to fill the arena’s big screens during the final show of the Eras Tour in Vancouver, B.C., in December 2023. A previous concert movie filmed on the tour, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” had already come out in theaters at that time.

    The superstar previously took “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” to Disney+ in April 2024 after the film’s record-breaking run in theaters. Just as “Eras Tour” had quickly become the highest-grossing concert movie ever in cinemas in late 2023, when it went to Disney+ months later it set a record for initial streaming of a concert film, getting 4.6 million views on the platform in its first three days of availability. The tour film going exclusively to Disney+ was a sign Swift was pleased with how the platform handled the late 2020 release of her documentary “Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions.” (Swift previously had concert films or documentaries go out through Netflix and Apple.)

    This new docuseries and concert film will both be bypassing theaters, unlike the “Eras Tour” concert movie of two years ago. But theater owners don’t have too much to complain about on the Swift front right now. She did just give them “Taylor Swift: The Release Party of a Showgirl,” an album-release promotional event which was No. 1 at the box office with a $33 million gross in theaters for a mere three-day run.

    The Eras Tour doc will come on the heels of Swift not only topping the box office with “Release Party” but topping the Billboard 200 with a record-breaking first week for the album “The Life of a Showgirl.” In only five days, it broke the high-water mark for an album in a single week, a record previously held by the debut outing for Adele’s “25” 10 years ago.

    Besides ABC sharing a corporate parent with Disney+, Swift taking to ABC for this announcement made good on her long-time association with “Good Morning America” — coming a week after she seemed to be showing NBC all the love with appearances on Jimmy Fallon’s and Seth Myers’ late-night talk shows. Ratings showed that “The Tonight Show” came away with the best ratings in the 18-to-49 demo in eight months, and Myers’ “Late Night” had its top audience in that demo since January.

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    Chris Willman

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  • In Less Than 3 Minutes, Taylor Swift Just Taught a Master Class in How to Handle Criticism

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    What’s the best way to respond when customers, former fans, or anyone else criticizes your work? Taylor Swift just provided a perfect script for what to say. It’s a great example for any entrepreneur, business leader, or creator to follow.

    Swift’s twelfth album, The Life of a Showgirl, released 10 days ago, is unquestionably a commercial success. It broke streaming records on Spotify with more than 5 million pre-saves, as just one example. But that doesn’t mean that everyone loves it. The reaction from music critics has been lukewarm and the reaction from fans is decidedly mixed, with some saying they adore the album and others saying they can’t stand it. One brand strategist declared on Instagram that the album was “flopping,” in a post that’s been seen more than 1.4 million times, according to Newsweek.

    Swift, of course, is a very seasoned performer who has always written her own rules and has a finely tuned sense of how to communicate with her fans. So the mixed reactions don’t seem to faze her at all. During an interview for Apple Music, she explained how she feels about the negative reactions. But if you’re pressed for time, ET posted a video report less than three minutes long. It explains the controversy and includes clips of Swift’s pitch perfect response. Here’s some of what she did right.

    1. She thanked her critics.

    I do this too, with most negative feedback I get from readers or audience members. As Swift well knows, the fact that someone takes the trouble to give an opinion about your work means they care enough to pay attention to you. And in today’s attention economy, that is a gift.

    “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. “I have a lot of respect for people’s subjective opinions on art.” She’s right, of course. The fact that people’s opinions of this album are divided could bring new listeners because people who normally aren’t interested in her music may become curious to hear the songs and form their own opinions.

    2. She put the focus on her fans.

    This is something Swift does extraordinarily well and it’s one reason for her outsized success. And so, she very wisely made the criticism about them, rather than about her. “Our goal as entertainers is to be a mirror,” she said. “What you’re going through in your life is going to affect whether you relate to the music that I’m putting out at any given moment.”

    She added that she loves it when fans tell her they used to love one of her albums and, based on the events in their own lives, come to favor another. It was a very clever comment. It invited people to consider how their own feelings or preferences might affect their opinions. And it gave them permission to change their minds in the future.

    3. She said she had done her best work.

    Whatever fans or critics may say about Showgirl, Swift made it clear that she herself is happy with it. “When I’m making my music, I know what I made. I know I adore it,” she said.

    And she did something very, very clever. She slyly pointed out that getting criticism is fitting given the nature of this particular album. The title track describes the bittersweet life of a performer: “I make my money being pretty and witty.” But also: “I paid my dues, with every bruise I knew what to expect.”

    And so, she told Lowe, “On the theme of what the showgirl is, all of this is part of it.”

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

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    Minda Zetlin

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  • “Rowdy and Dirty”: The Life of an AMC Bartender Serving Taylor Swift’s Fan Army

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    Though Mary said she’s not a big drinker, she felt compelled to order whichever specialty Swift cocktail Kevin recommended most, which was the aforementioned Glitter Bomb, the most “alcohol-forward.” As the minutes counted down to 3 p.m., there was a giddy tipsiness in the air, with glitter-speckled women squealing in excitement and frantically mobbing to use the restroom before Swift appeared onscreen.

    The Friday showings were by far the busiest, says Kevin; Saturday was slower than he thought it would be, both at the bar and at the theater as a whole. But the crowds picked up again on Sunday, with Swifties pouring into seats in a post-brunch haze. The Sunday screening I caught also felt boozier than the Friday premiere, with audience members dancing in their seats and laughing loudly at Swift’s explanation of her new song “Wood” (it’s allegedly about superstition, and not her fiancé Travis Kelce’s, ahem, appendage). One woman teared up at the lyrics to “Eldest Daughter,” wiping her face with bulk napkins from the concession stand. The crowd chanted the choruses of both “Cancelled!” and “Honey,” and screamed to correct the cleaned-up lyrics of “Father Figure”—the kid-friendly version replaces “dick’s bigger” with “check’s bigger”—and “Actually Romantic,” where the clean version replaces “It’s kind of making me wet” with “It’s kind of making me sweat.”

    No one in either screening I attended sat through the credits, opting to leave the moment that the “Opalite” music video closed out the movie. Glitter and popcorn bags littered the floor, forgotten in the haze of a post-Official Release Party Swiftdom high—or maybe as a purposeful nod to the “Opalite” lyrics about not digging through the trash.

    Regardless of fallen feathers, Swift—like Nicole Kidman—seems to be another patron saint of AMC. It was an “honor and privilege and joy” for the theater to host the Official Release Party, said CEO Adam Aron in a statement on Sunday. “On behalf of AMC Theatres and the entire theatrical exhibition industry, I extend our sincerest appreciation to the iconic Taylor Swift for bringing her brilliance and magic to movie theatres this weekend.” Joseph agrees: “Everyone was really friendly. Horror fans get more rowdy.” Alas, those who didn’t catch Showgirl won’t get another chance this weekend, as it was in theaters for three days only—which doesn’t bother Kevin, at least. He’s more of a Metallica guy, anyway.

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    Samantha Bergeson

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