Taylor Swift: Showgirl and Business Icon
On Friday, October 3, Taylor Swift releases her 12th album, The Life of a Showgirl, but at Providence College we already know the power of Taylor Swift songs. Anyone who has belted out “You Belong With Me” at the Amica Mutual Pavilion has felt her magnetic pull as a performer. However, beyond the glitter and sold-out stadium shows, Swift is more than just a showgirl — she’s a mastermind with CEO-level strategies that have redefined music ownership, global touring, and fan marketing.
On the eve of her 12th album drop, it’s the perfect opportunity to highlight how Swift blends her showmanship with fearless, value-driven business moves that can inspire future entrepreneurs.
Here are five reasons Taylor Swift is a showgirl and a business icon:
Reason 1: Reclaiming Her Masters
In May 2025, Swift announced she had successfully purchased back the original masters for her first six albums from Shamrock Capital. In a letter posted to her website, she said this was one of her ‘greatest dreams,’ being a key driver in this decision. Swift also thanked Shamrock Capital for having conversations that were respectful and fair. Prior to this deal, in 2021, Swift began releasing “Taylor’s Version” of her earlier albums while she was working to purchase the rights for them. This was a business-icon move because by creating new recordings, she no longer needed to share the revenue generated by those new albums. It was a power move that changed the dynamic for musicians to reclaim their rights.
Reason 2: Swift Takes on Spotify
In 2014, Swift removed her music from Spotify. As she wrote in an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal that year, “Music is art, and art is important and rare. Important, rare things are valuable. Valuable things should be paid for.” Her main concern was that Spotify’s free tier was devaluing artists’ music as listeners were listening to the recordings for free, giving the artist no compensation during this period. This business move of hers proved that she viewed her work and other artists’ work as valuable and worthy of more. In 2015, Swift negotiated a deal with Apple Music to pay artists during free trial periods. This move demonstrates her power to achieve her long-term goals, and to inspire other musicians to advocate for the same.
Reason 3: The $4 Billion Eras Economy
Swift’s Eras Tour wasn’t just a global concert — it was a record-breaking move economically. She performed 152 concerts in 51 different cities around the world. It became the highest-grossing tour of all time, with an estimated $2.2 billion in ticket sales, Forbes reported. The Federal Reserve reported the tour credited about $4.3 billion to the U.S. GDP, according to Bloomberg News. In addition, the New York Times estimated about $3 million in merchandise was sold at every show. Swift also brought the Eras Tour to the movies by partnering with AMC Theatres as 152 concerts simply was not enough for her fans. She plans to do an exclusive premiere of The Life of a Showgirl the weekend of October 3-5 in theaters as well. Swift strategically positioned this tour as entertainment but also designed it as a multi-layered business platform by turning every stop into an engine for local economies. This resulted in strengthened fan engagement, reinforcement of her brand, and an increase in catalog streams.
Reason 4: Leading With Generosity
Not only did Swift complete the highest grossing tour of all time, but People Magazine also reported that she had given her entire team $197 million in bonuses for all their hard work and support. Her team consists of truck drivers, caterers, instrument techs, a merchandise team, production staff, dancers, choreographers, videographers, and more. Swift leads with generosity as she shares her success with the crew members who make her shows possible. By distributing bonuses, she enhances her reputation as a leader by building loyalty and motivating those who have always worked by her side.
Reason 5: Marketing With a Twist of Mystery
Swift is known for her iconic ‘Easter eggs’ that consume her fans’ lives. These ‘Easter eggs’ are hints that she drops on social media, in press, and during her live shows that hint towards a new release of an album or song. Fans across the world will work together to try to piece together these clues. For example, during the Eras Tour Swift had a clock countdown at every show, starting at 2:24. Fans put together that the 224th day of the year is August 12. In the Eras Tour merchandise book, page 12 featured Swift as a showgirl with an orange and pink layout. Additionally, she posted on Instagram a carousel of 12 photos, writing, “Thinking about when she said, ‘See you next era …’” – So, what is the meaning of the number 12 and August 12? Well, The Life of a Showgirl is her 12th album, and on August 12 she posted a countdown on her website. The countdown ended at 12:12 a.m., announcing her 12th album which contains 12 new tracks. She proves herself to be the mastermind of a musician by consistently engaging fans, producing creative storytelling, and turning anticipation into a powerful business advantage.
At Providence College, the anticipation for Swift’s 12th album mirrors the same anticipation she builds globally. She consistently proves that her influence reaches beyond music — she is a showgirl and a business icon, reminding everyone that success is a blend of strategy and creativity.
