Taylor Swift Sued Over ‘The Life Of A Showgirl’ by a Real-Life Showgirl

Las Vegas performer Maren Wade is suing Taylor Swift over her latest album, The Life Of A Showgirl. She alleges that its title is too similar to Wade’s own work and violates her trademark.

In 2014, after appearing on America’s Got Talent, Wade began writing about her experiences in the entertainment industry. The column was titled “Confessions of a Showgirl” and appeared in Las Vegas Weekly. The column eventually expanded into a live show, touring production, podcast, and book.

“Both share the same structure, the same dominant phrase, and the same overall commercial impression,” the complaint reads. “Both are used in overlapping markets and are directed at the same consumers.”

Wade filed the suit on Monday in California federal court. In addition to trademark violation, she claims false designation of origin and unfair competition under both federal and California law. The lawsuit names Swift, TAS Rights Management, UMG Recordings, and Bravado International Group Merchandising Services as defendants. Wade claims Swift’s work is overshadowing her own. She is asking for unspecified damages, plus a court order preventing Swift from continuing to use the title The Life Of A Showgirl or sell merchandise relating to it. Wade is also seeking monetary damages and attorneys’ fees.

“A solo performer who spent 12 years building a brand shouldn’t have to watch it disappear because someone bigger came along,” Wade’s lawyer, Jaymie Parkinnen, said in a statement.

Swift announced The Life Of A Showgirl in August 2025 and released it that October.

“They did not do so quietly,” Wade’s complaint reads. “Within weeks, the designation was affixed to consumer goods, stamped onto labels, tags, and packaging, and deployed as a source identifier across retail channels—all directed at the same audience Plaintiff had spent years cultivating.”

The lawsuit also mentions the fact that the US Patent and Trademark Office denied Swift’s application to register The Life Of A Showgirl. It was deemed “confusingly similar” to Wade’s copyright and consumers could think the two projects are related. Wade claims Swift did not ask for permission to use the title.

Swift and her label have not commented on the lawsuit.