Calling all Swifties! The Life of a Showgirl is officially getting an encore.

Yesterday, Taylor took to Instagram to announce her brand new single “Patient Zero” (still squealing!). If you spent your afternoon trying to decode the four zeroes in her Instagram caption—as any diehard Swiftie would—you’ll be happy to know that the Easter eggs have come full-circle.

The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore is set to arrive this Friday, featuring *four* new tracks.

And, as per usual, Taylor’s latest Instagram announcements, website updates and mysterious fashion choices hint that this encore is actually just the beginning of what this pop star has in store for us this fall.

As we know all too well, a Swiftie’s sleuthing duties are never done. Grab your feather boa and follow along as we reveal what this encore could have in store for our fave showgirl…

@eurosweetheart ENCORE ‼️ 4️⃣ NEW SONGS #taylorswift #thelifeofashowgirl #encore #vmas ♬ original sound – swiftiesweetheart

Extending the Life of a Showgirl universe

Joining “Patient Zero” on The Encore are three tracks, titled “Cleveland!” “Pink Clouding,” and “Babylon.”

In her latest announcement, Taylor describes writing these four tracks on a trip to Sweden, in a post-debut celebration of The Life of a Showgirl: “[T]hey were born out of pure gratitude for your exuberance for and celebration of the album we made.”

With four new track titles to decode, fans have been re-analyzing the jam-packed Easter eggs within Taylor’s recent Emmys sketch for answers—specifically Taylor’s direct phrase to the camera: “Saccharide, Aries, from the vineyard, North or South.”

Many Swifties believe that this deluxe album includes a T. Swift song written for the upcoming film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel Verity. Could the phrase “North or South” apply to the U.S. state names associated with Dakota Johnson (aka the movie’s lead actress)?

Swifties are pretty positive that another swoon-worthy love song is on the way, with “Cleveland!” dedicated to Travis Kelce (and his Ohio hometown). What’s more, film crews have recently been spotted near Taylor’s NYC apartment, which has us crossing our fingers that a “Patient Zero” music video must just accompany The Encore release. 

@bringjessthehorizonn2 the new single ships on 10/13 🤣💀 WEVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS DATE ALL WEEK 🤣 #taylorswift #swiftie #swifttok #countdown #single ♬ I Knew It, I Knew You – Taylor Swift

A sister album in store…

Though it’s clear we’re still in the Life Of a Showgirl era, The Encore rollout hints that we’re possibly in for more than simply a deluxe album. And we know that Taylor is no stranger to a sister album release (folklore and evermore get anyone else through COVID?). 

Considering the leading single’s title, “Patient Zero,” is a phrase describing those who are the first infected by an outbreak, we might expect to hear some darker themes, at least compared to what we’ve gotten so far in the Life of a Showgirl world. That said, one of the most popular fan theories is that The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore is prepping for a realm *beyond* the glitz n’ glam—aka a sister album, potentially one called The Death Of A Showgirl. 

Speaking of glitz ‘n’ glam, one of the most puzzling parts of the “Patient Zero” announcement is that Taylor seems to have traded her vibrant, sequined bodysuits for a minimalist, timeless look. Her black outfits across her Insta post—and on the B-Side of her CDs—hint that there’s more in store for the showgirl era than sparkles.

Even the Taylor Swift website has also undergone its own makeover, trading its bright orange for a black (still sparkly, though, DW). 

Need more proof that a *second* showgirl album is on its way? Look at the timing of Taylor’s “Patient Zero” announcement: September 22 at 2 p.m.

@swiftieinkc 🚨🚨🚨🚨 RED ALERT RUN! Taylor updated her IG bio, Apple Music, and more with ZEROS! THAT WERE IN THE OPALITE MV THE ENTIRE TIME!!!!! #swifties #taylorswift #tiktokgrowthchallenge ♬ original sound – Jojo (in KC)

Oct. 13: Taylor’s next announcement? 

The anticipation for Taylor’s deluxe album, sister album theories and the pop star’s upcoming appearance at the VMAs have us bracing ourselves for Taylor’s next ground-breaking move. 

We obviously want updates ASAP and fans are pretty positive that a *major* one might be revealed on Oct. 13. In Taylor’s Emmys sketch, the clock rests at the time 10:13, a “13” sticky-note sits on an X-ray pic of ten fingers and Taylor’s website ships “Patient Zero” CDs on—you guessed it!—Oct. 13. 

All this to say, we’re impatiently waiting for the drop of The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore this Friday, plus crossing our fingers that Taylor’s presence at the VMAs means a debut performance of this pop star’s next iconic chapter.

Follow us on IG @girlslifemag for all the Swiftie updates!

Check out the latest from your fave showgirl:
🧡 Every Easter Egg From Taylor Swift’s Emmys Sketch, Decoded
🧡 Use Your Swiftie Senses To Get An End-Of-Summer Read
🧡 QUIZ! Which Taylor Swift Fall Era Are You? 

Images: @taylorswift