It's been just under a week since Taylor Swift revealed the cover art for her upcoming album, The Life of a Showgirl, and already the conspiracy theories are rolling in.
In that time, there's been endless chatter online regarding the album's alleged 'hidden message', 'controversial details', a whole bunch of outrage over Taylor's attire in the photos and the accompanying fierce defence from Swifties coming out in full force to back the beloved pop icon.
After the initial hype died down over the album artwork, social media users soon started snooping around for possible cryptic meanings behind the titles of the 12 songs listed on The Life of a Showgirl, which include; 'The Fate of Ophelia', 'Elizabeth Taylor', 'Opalite', 'Father Figure', 'Eldest Daughter', 'Ruin the Friendship', 'Actually Romantic', 'Wi$h Li$t', 'Wood', 'CANCELLED!', 'Honey' and the titular 'The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter)'.
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But it's 'CANCELLED!' which has got people talking with many rushing to share their thoughts over why the word is spelt with two l's like 'cancelled', as opposed to the US spelling with just the one, 'canceled'.
Interestingly, the majority of those who dwell across the pond had no idea there were two different spellings of the word in the first place, with many spelling it with two l's as a default, so I guess Taylor didn't really spell it wrong - just differently!
What is the 'CANCELLED!' conspiracy theory?
However, other Swifties were convinced the spelling was far deeper than all that, speculating that the song is aimed at someone very specific.
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The latest speculation online sees a whole avalanche of conspiracy theories over which celebrity is about to be 'cancelled' once their alleged identity is revealed from the song, once it's released (along with the 11 other tracks on the album), this autumn (3 October).
Now, it's important to note that this speculation is exactly that - speculative - and nothing has been confirmed nor denied by Taylor herself.
But, regardless, that's not stopped people pondering on who the song could possibly be about...
Joe Alwyn
Because it's the British spelling of the word, some fans reckon the 10th track on the album could be about the 34-year-old English actor famous for starring in flicks like Conversations with Friends, The Brutalist and Harriet.
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The former couple dated for around six years, from 2016 to early 2023.
And, while their relationship was largely private, they did have some public moments, including Joe's contributions to Taylor's music under the pseudonym William Bowery.
The pair were said to have parted ways amicably.
Matty Healy
Again, given the British spelling of 'cancelled', some fans have floated the idea of the song being about the 36-year-old frontman of UK indie-pop band, The 1975.
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Taylor and Matty had a brief romantic relationship in May 2023, following her split from Joe.
However, their connection dates back to 2014 when they were first romantically linked.
While their 2023 romance was short-lived, it garnered a pretty significant amount of media attention.
"She spelled 'Canceled' with two 'Ls' because this is the British of spelling it," content creator Jordan Fairchild theorised. "So, what does that mean?" That means that whoever this is about is a British person.
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"There are two people in mind that I can think of that this could be about, but I'm interested to see who you [her followers] think it's about."
Ryan Reynolds/Blake Lively
Others, meanwhile, pointed out that the 'cancelled' spelling Taylor uses on the album is also commonly used in Canada, suggesting a possible link to Ryan Reynolds.
The actor is married to Taylor's BFF, Blake Lively, with the couple having found themselves under mass scrutiny for the last year over their damning lawsuit against the Gossip Girl actress' It Ends With Us co-star, Justin Baldoni.
"It’s also the preferred spelling in Canada… and who is Canadian? RR," one fan suggested online.
Another added: "Or Canadian. Like Ryan Reynolds, perhaps?"
"Or... Canadian @vancityreynolds," added a third, linking the actor's Instagram account directly.
Other theories
Fairchild went on to suggest that the album could be listened to as a 'timeline of sorts', adding: "The beginning of the Eras Tour to the end?"
She continued: "If this is the case, this ['Cancelled'] most likely would be at the beginning, so I don't think it will do that, but this will definitely tell a story. 'Cancelled' is going to be about someone who is British, most likely."
Another group of fans suggested that the spelling is a mere coincidence, believing the track is likely about the capital of Austria, being that Taylor cancelled her show there last year following terrorism threats.
"It's a song about Vienna," one went on.
Another agreed: "I was thinking about Vienna as it’s about her life as a showgirl."
"Cancelled is for the Vienna Shows," a third continued.
Topics: Taylor Swift, Celebrity, Music, Social Media
Rhiannon Ingle