By Matija Šerić
“Do not be afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them,” once wrote the famous English playwright William Shakespeare. If anyone isn’t afraid of reaching greatness, it’s Taylor Alison Swift. With every musical album, she creates new artistic value and opens a new dimension of creativity.
Being the Best
Between 2020 and 2025, through frequent releases of new and re-recorded albums, The Eras Tour, and gaining ownership of her work, she reached the pinnacle of success. She built not only the status of a megastar but also a cultural phenomenon. Last year ended triumphantly. In October, Swift released her 12th studio album The Life of a Showgirl along with a promotional film, and in December, a six-episode documentary Taylor Swift: The End of an Era premiered, revealing behind-the-scenes moments from the Eras Tour. Alongside the documentary came the concert film The Final Show, showcasing the final concert in Vancouver. Her first concert film had been released during the tour in 2023. In this way, a chapter in her career was truly closed.
New Chapters of Creative Work
Music critics and the Swiftie fandom are wondering what she will do next. While many in her position would have long since retired or lived off past glory (e.g., Pink Floyd, Mariah Carey), that is not the case for this Pennsylvania prodigy. She has repeatedly stated in interviews that retreating is out of the question because creating content is what makes her happy, and she wants to release as many albums as possible. While this is a daunting task, we can speculate on what the career of the world’s most popular singer-songwriter might look like in 2026, which has just begun.
Trailer for documentary
Music Videos and TS13
During the promotion of her latest album, Swift announced that there would be no additional songs, meaning that every new single will be part of another album. However, it is likely she will shoot a few more music videos for TS12. A duet with Sabrina Carpenter seems most probable, with Opalite and Elizabeth Taylor likely next on the list.
Her next album will be her 13th studio album. Anyone who knows Swift’s work knows that 13 is her favorite number and a personal brand. TS13 will be something special. Whether it will resemble her recent releases or serve as a career retrospective, the album aims to be the “album of her career.” While work on it has probably begun, it is unlikely to be released this year. 2027 seems a more realistic option.
Re-recording of Her Debut Album
What we do know for sure is that the re-recording of her debut album (Taylor’s Version) has been completed. When she regained ownership of her masters last May, Swift announced that she had re-recorded her first album and liked it, and it would be released when she deemed the timing right. This could happen this year. On October 24, the 20th anniversary of her debut album’s release, would be a fitting occasion to celebrate with the re-release. After 20 years, it will be intriguing to hear how the new album sounds considering Swift’s vocal growth and the inclusion of unreleased “vault” tracks.
Although acquiring her masters effectively confirmed that there would be no re-release of her 2017 album Reputation, this is debatable. She could still do something she previously said she wouldn’t (and it wouldn’t be the first time), possibly giving us a Reputation Deluxe Version, or something similar.
Potential Public Musical Appearances
It seems unlikely there will be a new major tour. Tickets and all other organizational preparations would have needed to be released by now. Swift herself confirmed she needs a break. However, surprise appearances at other artists’ concerts—like last year in Nashville—or a few short shows in locations like Shanghai are not out of the question. Appearances at major music award shows such as the VMAs are also possible.
Interview with Seth Meyers
Film Debut
It has been known for several years (since 2022) that Swift plans to venture into film directing. She has been directing her music videos for years, most famously the All Too Well (10 Minute Version) video, which captivated audiences. Her first feature-length film in collaboration with Searchlight Pictures is reportedly one of her most secret projects. We could see a cinematic release this year, and there’s no doubt it would cause a stampede in American and global cinemas.
Literary Debut
A literary debut is also possible, either with the publication of her first book or an announcement of it. It is known that she wrote a novel A Girl Named Girl at 14, which is currently in the possession of her parents, Andrea and Scott. It is a non-autobiographical story about a mother who wanted a son but gave birth to a daughter. If the book is ever published, it will be thoroughly revised, as it likely wasn’t a bestseller when she wrote it as a 14-year-old. Critics might challenge it, but in an edited edition, it could be a quality work. She might also write an entirely new book unrelated to that early novel.
Marriage Will Not Hinder the Artist
Finally, there is the potential marriage to Travis Kelce, which will happen eventually—the only question is the timing. Although it will be a high-profile event comparable to a royal wedding, it will not significantly impact Taylor Swift’s artistry. She has never allowed her private life to overshadow her creative output, and this will not change now. In any case, fans can expect to be showered with new, potentially sensational releases.
