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Taylor Swift might have sung, “I swear I don’t love the drama, it loves me,” on her 2017 album Reputation, but the fanfare leading up to its loooong-awaited rerelease seems to indicate otherwise. Ever since Swift’s sixth studio record became eligible for rerecording way back in November 2022 — the same long-ago month that saw Ron DeSantis topping polls and the end of The Walking Dead — fans have eagerly lapped up any clue that Reputation (Taylor’s Version) is ready for release. Yet 16 months later, all we have are a few brief clips and a new understanding of trademark law.
If you’re still down to clown, the latest rumors are that the album will arrive on July 16, which just so happens to be World Snake Day (during the Year of the Snake, no less). But if the date comes and passes without so much as a hiss? Well, take comfort in knowing it would be far from the first time we were all fooled by Swift’s Rep teases. And while some of the examples on the list below may seem like unintentional red herrings, remember Swift’s own warning to listeners on “Mastermind” off 2022’s Midnights: “What if I told you none of this was accidental?”
May 2023: The “Karma” Music Video Starts It All
Photo: Taylor Swift via YouTube
Swift’s video for the Midnights single “Karma” contained references to all of her albums, but the Reputation nods got fans talking the most. From a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it snake cameo to the coffee-cup clock with a black nail by the No. 2 (a.k.a. a potential February release, duh), there were a good amount of clues that indicated Rep (TV) would soon be on its way.
Photo: Prime Video
Toward the end of summer 2023, Swifties were surprised with not one but two clips of songs from Rep (TV) featured on TV shows: “Delicate” on The Summer I Turned Pretty and “Look What You Made Me Do” on Wilderness. What felt like celebratory gifts were probably more like consolation prizes as we still haven’t heard full versions of either track.
Also in August, Swift’s close pal and frequent collaborator Ed Sheeran revealed he had not yet recorded the new version of “End Game,” which was disappointing only if you miss the sound of Sheeran rapping.
October 2023: Shout-outs in Swift’s Eras Tour Movie Post
Surely, Swift would announce Rep (TV) at the end of the Eras Tour, right? It was a solid theory strengthened by the singer’s continued love of green outfits and an astute fan noticing Swift’s recent Instagram posts seemed to indicate a countdown. Sadly, the only things the Vancouver final show delivered (besides great music) were tears and confetti.
January 2025: Spotify Glitch or Reason to Clown?
After so many false hopes, most Swifties had stopped looking so closely for Rep (TV) clues by the beginning of this year. Yet when some Spotify listeners discovered the original album wasn’t showing up on the streaming service, the clowning began that an announcement was imminent. In all likelihood, it was probably just a glitch — and not the cool Midnights version.
February 2025: Travis Kelce and Trademarks
From Swift presenting at the Grammys, to boyfriend Travis Kelce saying he “can neither confirm nor deny” the Rep (TV) release date, to news that the album’s trademarks would be valid only until August, February brought some solid teases but no actual news.
March 2025: An (Imaginary) Lady Gaga Collab
The release of Lady Gaga’s Mayhem wasn’t exciting just for Little Monsters but for Swifties, too. It was rumored the two pop idols had collaborated on a Rep-coded song. Alas, the rumors proved false and fans were left with their hopes once again dashed.
