Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ music video releases flood of (mixed) reactions
There is drama in Swiftie Land today.
Taylor Swift’s surprise release of the music video for her latest single, “Elizabeth Taylor,” has led to a surprising reaction from fans: They can’t agree on whether they like it and have lit up social media with mixed reviews.
“What could you possibly get for the girl on the last day of Women’s History Month? We have something in mind! The Elizabeth Taylor Music Video is out now on @Spotify Premium and @AppleMusic,” the singer’s team, Taylor Nation, posted early Tuesday to announce the video.
The video pays homage to the glamorous Hollywood legend through a series of clips from some of her most famous movies, including “Cleopatra,” “Giant,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” and “Father of the Bride.”
It also includes scenes from Taylor’s real life, like being swarmed by paparazzi and showing off the famously massive diamond ring given to her by ex-husband Richard Burton, which some fans take as a reference to the engagement ring Travis Kelce gave Swift when he proposed last year.
Swift does not appear in the video, which seems to be the biggest disappointment for many fans, some wondering whether there is a Part 2 coming — maybe on Wednesday, April Fools’ Day?
Fans are leaving negative reviews on the Taylor Nation’s account, which usually glows with praise for the Eras Tour superstar.
“This isn’t a music video, call it a tribute, call it an edit,” chides one fan. “Just not a music video, and before y’all burst out at me for saying that, most edits on TikTok look way cooler, are on beat and make more sense than this collage of random scenes.”
“This is not a normal Taylor Swift video. This is essentially a bunch of shots of Elizabeth Taylor set to the song, ‘Elizabeth Taylor,’” Kansas City super Swiftie Jordan Johnson, known online as @SwiftieinKC, said on TikTok.
“The video’s interesting to me because not only does it use videos from Elizabeth Taylor’s personal life, but it actually licensed a few of her movies.
“I don’t know, color me shocked, but this is just not what I expected, especially after the ‘Opalite’ music video that was like filled with Easter eggs and tons of hints.
“This one feels, I’m so sorry to say it, more like a fan edit. I was fully expecting and hoping for something really glamorous, really playing on that Cleopatra vibe that we have seen Taylor use for ‘The Life of a Showgirl.’”
Swift thanks Taylor’s family at the end of the video. She has said Taylor’s estate was “lovely” to work with when she approached them about writing the song. She has told the story of how she was with Kelce when inspiration hit.
“Wait, this is beautifully edited supercut/tribute to Elizabeth Taylor. And mostly used archived clips. Cool, it is classy, respectful nod to Elizabeth Taylor’s glamour, drama and her persona,” Swift fan James Has Changed wrote on X.
“However, I don’t think this is the official music video, this is probably to keep people hooked while they prepare the actual video which might probably drop soon if not on Record Store Day. IDK, I just expected way better than archival footage for this.”
“Elizabeth Taylor” will released on a purple, 7-inch vinyl disc titled “Cry My Eyes Violet” on Record Store Day, April 18.
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