In 2021, Taylor Swift began the painstaking process of reclaiming her career narrative. Following a 2019 dispute over the master recordings of her back catalog, the “Anti-Hero” star decided to re-record her first six albums. Dubbed “Taylor’s Version,” the re-releases give Swifties all the songs they know and love, plus a few extra “vault” tracks that never made the original cut. Four years later, only her 2006 self-titled debut and 2017’s Reputation remain.
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In the Swiftieverse, however, nothing is straightforward and everything is an Easter egg. Here’s why the entire internet is convinced that Swift is definitely, without a doubt, for real this time, announcing Reputation (Taylor’s Version) at the upcoming AMA Awards.
WHY REPUTATION (TAYLOR’S VERSION) IS BEING ANNOUNCED ON MAY 26TH AT THE AMAs — A THREAD 🖤 pic.twitter.com/xWR4hynrBY
— kira ☆ (@kiralovestaylor) May 20, 2025
This Re-Recorded ‘Reputation’ Favorite Just Made Its Debut
The pulsing lead single from 2017’s Reputation, “Look What You Made Me Do” signaled to the world that the wholesome country music darling was no longer playing nice. On May 20, during the penultimate episode of Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, we heard the first strains of “Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor’s Version).”
Predictably, the shocking reveal became a powder keg of conspiracy theories among online Swiftie communities. “Me after telling myself I’m not going to clown for Rep TV anymore but Taylor just dropped most of LWYMMD (Taylor’s Version) on the Handmaid’s Tale last night,” one fan posted to X/Twitter, dropping a picture of a small child dressed as a clown for good measure.
Me after telling myself I’m not going to clown for Rep TV anymore but Taylor just dropped most of LWYMMD (Taylor’s Version) on the Handmaid’s Tale last night pic.twitter.com/NxQlUpDSfN
— elizabeth richardson ✨is agented✨ (@pittelsbookclub) May 20, 2025
The general consensus is that Swift will make the much-anticipated announcement at this year’s AMA Awards ceremony, set for Monday (May 26) in Las Vegas. She is up for six trophies this year, including Artist of the Year.
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The Case For (And Against) A Taylor Swift Announcement at the AMAs
Certainly, there is precedent for earth-shattering Taylor Swift news at awards shows. Famously, she had fans convinced of Reputation TV’s impending arrival ahead of the 2024 Grammy Awards.
Instead, the singer pulled a bait-and-switch, announcing her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department. So, while she may indeed continue her tradition of dropping bombshells on awards show stages, some believe the “Karma” singer is actually gearing up to announce her 12th album.
the whole fandom’s foaming at the mouth for rep tv, and i’m planning my ts12 release party like taylor personally dm’d me the date pic.twitter.com/2w2PidSiBJ
— Abdelrahman (@3bdomer) May 25, 2025
Of course, the possibility exists that she may not even show up to the event. All we have to say is: “Baby, let the games begin.“
Featured image by Tommaso Boddi/WireImage
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