Swifties, rejoice: Taylor Swift has dropped a music video for “The Fate of Ophelia,” the lead single off her new album, The Life of a Showgirl, released on Friday.
After teasing it in her special AMC theaters preview this weekend, the full music video, written and directed by Swift, debuted tonight—and is a true visual feast. The video sees Swift transform into her interpretation of the tragic heroine Ophelia from Shakespeare’s Hamlet—if Ophelia were a modern-day pop star, that is. (The lyrics, seem to thank her fiancé, Travis Kelce, for saving her from insanity, and "saving my heart from the fate of Ophelia.”)
Unsurprisingly, Swift leans into glitzy showgirl style to further convey her storytelling. Thanks to the assist of her longtime stylist, Joseph Cassell Falconer, Swift’s enchanting wardrobe in the video would make any Vegas showgirl proud. She may begin the video with a simple white Ophelia-inspired dress by Alberta Ferretti—but Swift then proceeds to go full-on showgirl, slipping into dazzling, crystal-covered looks that match the theatrical vibe of her album cover. The pop star emerges wearing everything from rhinestone-embroidered bodysuits to chainmail gowns—and even a bejeweled bathing suit, with the sequined blue swim cap to match.
Like true pop royalty, most of the looks were created custom for Swift, by of-the-moment labels like Area, which designed Swift’s high-fashion blue swim look (and pompom boa to match). “Taylor is such an iconic Area girl, full of fun and dualities,” says Area designer Nicholas Aburn of dressing the singer. “A popstar and a poet. The showgirl reflects the tension between the fun of glamour, and the real power of controlling our perceptions through fashion.”
As for other highlights in the video, Swift also sports a metallic chainmail dress by Kelsey Randall, a black Roberto Cavalli halter dress made of diamond-shaped leather pieces, and a full red and orange crystal outfit and feathered headpiece by the legendary Bob Mackie. (Possibly the best contemporary theatrical designer, known for dressing icons like Cher.)
Near the end of the video, Swift also sports a Paolo Sebastian long-sleeved silver gown with an embroidered heart detail; A rope-tied dress from Cavalli’s spring 2025 collection; As well well as another dazzling silver crystal Area dress (worn while casually submerging herself in the bathtub).
Even more impressive? An army of backup dancers, all dressed in coordinated looks to match each of Swift’s outfit changes. Many of the dancers were those who travelled with the singer during her historic Eras Tour. “I got to be reunited with my Eras Tour family,” wrote Swift on Instagram of creating the video. “I wanted each one-take scene to feel like a live performance and remind us all of how it felt to be at those shows together.”
