Blake Lively Reacts to Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl Album Release

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Blake Lively is leaving an XOXO for Taylor Swift.

Even though there were rumors that Blake and Taylor’s close friendship was strained due to Taylor’s legal issues with Justin Baldoni, her director and costar in It Ends With Us, Blake showed her support by attending events for Taylor’s new album, The Life of a Showgirl, effectively dismissing the speculation.

Blake, age 38, was one of many who responded to the 35-year-old’s Instagram post from October 3rd, which announced the album’s release. She showed her support by liking the post, along with friends Brittany Mahomes and Kylie Kelce.

Additionally, Taylor might have subtly hinted at the status of her friendship with Blake, as many fans believe her new song, “Cancelled!”, is inspired by the actress.

The tenth song on the album reveals Taylor is happy when her “friends cancelled” plans, and it emphasizes that she’ll always be there for them, no matter what challenges they face publicly.

“Did you take risks and push boundaries too far? / Did they notice you enjoying yourself a little too much?” she sang on the pre-chorus. “Join me, because when they see us, they’ll be scared / Something ominous is coming our way.”

As a huge Taylor fan, I was completely captivated when she sang in the chorus, “I like ‘em cloaked in Gucci and in scandal / Like my whiskey sour / And poison thorny flowers.” It really sets the mood for the song! She continues, “Welcome to my underworld / Where it gets quite dark / At least you know exactly who your friends are.” It’s such a powerful line, and I feel like it’s about being true to yourself and knowing who you can really trust, even when things get tough. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite parts of the song. I’ve been listening to it on repeat!

Viewers immediately noticed that a lot of the details in “Cancelled!” seem to relate to Blake-whose kids with Ryan Reynolds, James, age 10, Inez, 8, Betty, 5, and Olin, 2, Taylor has mentioned in songs before.

As a lifestyle observer, I’ve noticed the buzz around Blake Lively! One fan on X recently pointed out just how much she’s achieved – she’s been the face of Gucci, has a successful business with her Betty Buzz drinks, starred in a beautiful floral-themed movie, and even launched her own line of mixers. It’s no surprise people are talking about her – she’s clearly a multi-hyphenate! The comment playfully suggested she’s earned the right to name drop, and honestly, I agree! She’s built an incredible brand for herself.

However, Taylor hasn’t revealed who inspired the song “Cancelled!”-and it probably isn’t related to the It Ends With Us legal issues. She wrote The Life of a Showgirl while her Eras Tour was still happening, which finished in December 2024-just a couple of weeks before Blake first publicly accused her director of sexual harassment (an accusation he refutes).

As Taylor shared during an Amazon Music introduction to “Cancelled!”, the main point is how her perspective on others has changed after experiencing public scrutiny herself.

“Having had my own experiences with mass judgment and being at the center of many dramatic, sort of scandalous moments in my career,” the Grammy winner shared, “it makes me move through the world a little bit differently and when other people go through it find yourself thinking about how they’re probably gonna get smarter because of this. If they can get through it, if they can be tough enough, they can actually learn some things through this process.”

She explained that she doesn’t automatically abandon people simply because others disapprove of them.

Taylor explained that she forms her own opinions of people, judging them by how they behave towards her and their actions in her life.

To decode more lyrics from The Life of a Showgirl, keep reading. 

The first song on Taylor Swift‘s The Life of a Showgirl alludes to Ophelia, a character in William Shakespeare‘s Hamlet, and her unfortunate story.

The song suggests Taylor could have been overwhelmed by sadness if she hadn’t found someone to rescue her – her true love. Alternatively, the lyrics imply she felt on the verge of being consumed by despair but was saved by a loving partner. Further analysis reveals a theme of emotional rescue.

“I heard you calling / On the megaphone,” Taylor sings. “You wanna see me all alone.”

The song’s words seem to reference Travis Kelce playfully teasing Taylor on his New Heights podcast. He mentioned she didn’t meet up with him after her Eras Tour concerts, and that’s actually how their relationship started.

“I swore loyalty to me, myself and I,” the lyrics continue. “Right before you lit my sky up.”

Prior to meeting Travis, Taylor had recently ended things with Matty Healy. She had described herself as one of the “independent girlies” back in July 2023.

But after Travis went to her concert in Kansas City that same month, sparks began to fly.

Even Taylor’s fiancé is participating in her tradition of hiding clues, as he hinted at lyrics from “The Fate of Ophelia” on Instagram back in July. He shared photos with Taylor, writing, “Had some adventures this offseason,” and adding, “Kept it [100].”

So, how does this relate to Taylor Swift’s song? The lyrics say, “You dug me out of my grave and saved my heart from the fate of Ophelia / Keep it one hundred.”

In the second song on the album, Taylor pays tribute to the iconic performer Elizabeth Taylor, referencing places the actress loved, including the Plaza Athénée in Paris and Musso & Frank’s in Los Angeles.

In the song, Taylor also compares herself to the Cleopatra actress. Similar to Taylor now, Elizabeth frequently appeared in the news for everything-from her relationships to her stunning clothes.

But, as Taylor notes in her song, “Oftentimes it doesn’t feel so glamorous to be me.”

In the cheerful song “Opalite,” which Travis had previously shared was his favorite from the Showgirl album, Taylor Swift alludes to the story of their relationship.

Having experienced a lot of heartbreak in past relationships, Taylor now seems to have found peace and tranquility with Travis – her current relationship feels like a calm, shimmering opal.

She shared on Capital radio that she had noted the word opalite because she discovered it’s a synthetic opal. “Travis’ birthstone is opal, so I’ve always focused on that, I’ve always loved that stone,” she explained.

Regarding the significance of the synthetic glass gemstone, she explained, “I envisioned it as a fitting metaphor – just as this opal is created by humans, joy itself can also be cultivated and achieved through our own efforts.”

However, the song does have a bit of a sting to it, with Taylor Swift’s fans believing she subtly called out Travis Kelce’s former girlfriend, Kayla Nicole, in the lyrics. They think the song suggests Kelce felt like he was just an accessory in photos posted on her social media.

She sings, as if addressing him, “You didn’t get it / Why you felt so isolated. You were genuinely invested / But she was distracted by her phone.”

The lyrics continue, “You were just pretending / And don’t we all try to love and give our best? / You eventually walked away / And it’s a surprisingly simple idea / You suffer until you don’t.”

Taylor, Max Martin and Shellback are officially listed as the songwriters for Showgirl. However, the late George Michael is also credited on the song “Father Figure” because it features a portion of his 1987 song with the same title.

As a huge Taylor fan, I was so touched to see George included in such a special moment! And it wasn’t just me – even Taylor’s team gave it their stamp of approval. They posted on Instagram on October 2nd, saying, “Thank you @taylorswift for including George in such a special moment.” It really showed how much thought and care went into everything, and it meant a lot to see that appreciation publicly acknowledged. Taylor always knows how to make everyone feel special!

Many fans believe the first part of the song is told from the point of view of Scott Borchetta of Big Machine Records, who originally sold Taylor’s recordings to Scooter Braun. The song then shifts to reflect Taylor’s feelings about taking back ownership of her music.

Taylor herself admitted that the song was “written in character.”

“That was a fun one to write,” she shared on BBC 1 Radio. “It explores a really different approach to the concept of a father figure – using it as a way to discuss power, how power structures work, and how those dynamics can be reversed.”

Additionally, she’s “really pleased” with a particular explicit line referencing bargaining with the devil, stating “my ps is larger.”

We’re now at track five on Showgirl, and it’s well-known that Taylor typically places her most emotionally devastating songs in this position on her albums.

In “Eldest Daughter,” Taylor, the child of Andrea Swift and Scott Swift-who later had another son, Austin Swift-sings about experiencing both the good and bad times in life, while always remaining loyal to her family and loved ones.

As the lyrics state, “Cause I’m not a bad bitch / And this isn’t savage / And I’m never gonna let you down,” showing a promise of loyalty. It continues, “I’m never gonna leave you out / So many traitors / Smooth operators / But I’m never gonna break that vow.” – emphasizing a commitment to keep that promise despite facing betrayal from others.

The sixth track on Showgirl recounts a story of wishing things had been different in a relationship that never truly began. The song is steeped in wistful memories, with lyrics like, “Have fun, it’s prom / Wilted corsage dangles from my wrist / Over his shoulder I catch a glimpse / And see…You looking at me / And it was not an invitation / But as the 50 Cent song played / Should’ve kissed you anyway.”

Taylor’s close friend Abigail Anderson-who inspired the song “Fifteen”-is mentioned in these sad lines about loss: “When I left school, I lost touch with you / Abigail called me with the upsetting news / Goodbye, and we’ll never understand why.”

Many fans believe the heartbreaking song was inspired by her late school friend Jeff Lang, who passed away in 2010. He’s also thought to be the inspiration behind her earlier song, “Forever Winter.”

In the Red era song, released in 2021 from the vault, she sings, “I didn’t realize / You were struggling / I’d fall apart / If you weren’t here.” She continues with, “Too young to understand things improve / I’ll be your constant source of happiness / But if you leave, it’ll be a never-ending sadness.”

“Actually Romantic” isn’t really a song about love, exactly. Instead, it’s a reaction to someone-who isn’t named in the song-that the lyrics say has talked about Taylor quite a bit.

Taylor sings, “I high-fived my ex, and then you said you were glad he stopped contacting me.” She continues, “You wrote me a song about how it bothers you to see me-some people might find that upsetting, but I actually think it’s sweet.”

Although Taylor doesn’t often share the real-life inspirations behind her songs, many fans online think this one was influenced by Charli XCX. Charli opened for Taylor during her Reputation Tour and is also friends with Taylor’s former boyfriend, Matty, and his partner, Gabbriette Bechtel.

When Charli-whose husband is George Daniel, a member of the band The 1975-released her album brat in June 2024, some people thought her song “Sympathy is a Knife” was a diss track aimed at Taylor Swift. But two months later, Taylor appeared to dismiss those rumors by publicly complimenting Charli’s work.

Taylor shared with New York magazine on August 26th that she’s been incredibly impressed with Charli’s musical talent ever since hearing ‘Stay Away’ back in 2011. She described Charli’s songwriting as both dreamlike and original, noting that she consistently pushes songs in unexpected directions. Taylor expressed her admiration for Charli’s dedication and how rewarding it is to see that effort recognized.

Could this be another hint about Charli? The Spotify cover image features Taylor holding an apple, which is the title of Charli’s hit song from 2024 that went viral.

TopMob News has reached out to reps for comment on the speculation and has not heard back.

On the very top of Taylor’s wish list? A forever with Travis. That includes starting a family.

“I just want you,” she sings. “Have a couple kids / Got the whole block looking like you.”

The artist even admitted it’s one of her favorite tracks on the album. 

She explained to Magic radio that recording that particular song signaled the end of the album process. “It’s really emotional,” she said. “It’s a very accurate reflection of where I am in my life right now. It just felt like, ‘We’re finished now.'”

Taylor says that hoping for love by wishing on a star didn’t work for her in the past. However, with Travis, she feels so secure that she doesn’t even feel the need to rely on luck, like knocking on wood.

Girls, I don’t need to catch the bouquet,” she sings in the lyrics, “to know difficult times are coming.”

She proved to be correct. Taylor and Travis shared the news of their engagement in August 2025, following a two-year relationship.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve noticed this song has a lot of playful, suggestive lyrics, but it’s also incredibly sweet. It even includes a little reference to New Heights, which Taylor has said is where it all began for her and Travis! It’s just so thoughtful and really shows how much the show means to them.

On track 10, Taylor is mentoring someone who has faced public backlash – a situation she understands all too well, having gone through it herself.

She told me, “Let’s go, because people will flee when they spot us.” Then she added, “It’s a good thing my friends cancelled – I prefer them mysterious, dressed in Gucci and surrounded by a little drama.”

People have guessed that the song might be referencing her sometimes debated friendships with Brittany Mahomes and Blake Lively.

Oh my gosh, she actually *explained* where this all comes from! It’s because she feels things so deeply – she’s been through a public struggle herself, you know? I’m pretty sure she was talking about the Kim Kardashian and Kanye West drama back in 2016. It totally makes sense now! I always knew she understood, and this just proves it! Seriously, I’m obsessed!

After going through public scrutiny and being involved in several high-profile, controversial situations throughout my career – times when it felt like everyone had an opinion – it’s changed how I navigate life now,” she explained to Amazon Music. “Those experiences have definitely shaped my perspective and how I move through the world.”

Taylor went on to say, “It’s interesting to consider that when others face challenges, you often expect them to grow and learn from the experience. If they manage to overcome difficulties, and if they’re resilient enough, they can truly gain valuable insights through the process.”

“Cancelled!” is really about showing that I don’t automatically dismiss someone just because others disapprove of them. I form my own opinions about people based on how they behave around me and their individual actions.

“Honey” truly lives up to its name! On the 11th song of the album, Taylor shares that Travis has completely changed the meaning of certain words for her. Previously, terms like “honey” and “sweetheart” might have brought up unpleasant memories, but now, Taylor associates them with Travis.

Taylor softly sings, “Let’s leave those sad feelings behind / Whenever you say ‘honey’.” She continues with, “Think warm weather drinks and beautiful pink sunsets / You’re welcome to call me ‘honey’ if you’d like / Since I’m the person you desire.”

In fact, Travis did call Taylor “sweetie” during her debut appearance on New Heights in August.

For her final act, Taylor teamed up with friend Sabrina Carpenter.

The song’s words connect with the theme of “Elizabeth Taylor,” offering a peek into the life of a showgirl. Though it appears dazzling, there’s always a cost, and the experienced performer needs to make the rising star aware of that reality.

The song’s words create a vivid image: “She confessed, ‘I would give anything – even my soul – to experience a truly wonderful life, one that’s completely my own’ / But that’s not the reality for showgirls / They’re simply discarded and forgotten.”

Finally, after getting a glimpse into the world of showgirls, the performers come together for one last moment, taking a final bow and saying, “That’s our show / We love you so much, goodnight!”

Oh my gosh, you guys, it’s seriously the most amazing song! It’s about finally meeting someone you’ve looked up to your *whole* life, and it’s not what you expect at all. Instead of being all inspiring and amazing, they actually try to *warn* you off following your dreams! She told Magic radio that it’s because they want to be real with you about how incredibly tough the industry is. But, like, you just ignore them and go for it anyway! It’s so relatable and heartbreaking and perfect, I’m obsessed!

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2025-10-04 01:19