Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 24, 2025 · Entertainment

Taylors Through Time: From Elizabeth's Hollywood Rebellions to Taylor Swift's Iconic Tributes

Elizabeth Taylor will forever be remembered for her decades-long acting career, dazzling Hollywood life, and no fewer than eight marriages. Pictured in Cleopatra

The Ultimate Hollywood Showdown: Taylor Swift Pours Her Heart Out to Elizabeth Taylor

Get ready for a juicy showdown between two of the most iconic women in entertainment history! The Queen of Pop, Taylor Swift, is about to unleash her latest album, "The Life Of A Showgirl," and it's packed with tributes to the one and only Elizabeth Taylor. But what exactly do these two Hollywood legends have in common? Let's dive into the scandalous life of Elizabeth Taylor and how Taylor Swift is following in her footsteps.

Elizabeth Taylor: The Original Rebel

And following in her footsteps as one of pop culture's most memorable women, Taylor Swift revealed she would be paying homage to Hollywood's darling by naming a song after her as part of her highly-anticipated new album, The Life Of A Showgirl

Born in Hampstead Heath, England, Elizabeth Taylor rose to fame at just 10 years old when she signed with MGM Studios. But it wasn't all glamour and glory for the young starlet. She was typecast as a "pretty face" in unchallenging roles, and her contract with MGM was notorious for its grueling working hours and lack of creative freedom. Elizabeth had had enough! At just 15 years old, she stood up to MGM head Louis B Mayer, telling him to "go to hell." Talk about a rebel!

Taylor Swift: The Modern-Day Rebel

Fast-forward to the present day, and we have Taylor Swift, who's been making waves in the music industry since her debut album dropped in 2006. But what sets Taylor apart from other pop stars is her willingness to speak truth to power and take control of her own destiny. Just like Elizabeth Taylor before her, Taylor has had her fair share of run-ins with record labels and industry executives. In fact, she's been vocal about her struggles with Scooter Braun, who acquired the rights to her master recordings in 2020.

Last week, the Pennsylvania-born songstress delighted fans in unveiling details of the album while on the New Heights podcast hosted by her boyfriend, Travis Kelce - including dedicating the second track on the album to the late actress, with whom she shares half her name

A Shared Love for Romance

Both Elizabeth Taylor and Taylor Swift have been known for their high-profile romances over the years. Elizabeth was married eight times to seven different men, while Taylor has had at least a dozen notable relationships since her debut album dropped. But it's not just about the number of partners; it's about the passion, drama, and intrigue that comes with each relationship.

The Elizabeth Taylor Connection

While little is known about Swift's upcoming album - other than a list of tracks and evocative aesthetic that many have called her most dating yet - it is not the first time the Shake It Off hitmaker has referenced Taylor

So, what makes Taylor Swift so drawn to Elizabeth Taylor? For starters, they share a love for romance and a flair for the dramatic. But it's also about the connection between their two names – Taylor Taylor (as Elizabeth is sometimes affectionately referred to) and Taylor Swift. The pop star has been paying homage to her namesake in various ways, from referencing Elizabeth's movies in her music videos to dedicating an entire track on her new album to the legendary actress.

The Album That Will Set the Record Straight

"The Life Of A Showgirl" is set to be Taylor Swift's most daring album yet. With 16 tracks and a retro-inspired aesthetic, fans are buzzing with excitement. But what really sets this album apart is the tribute track dedicated to Elizabeth Taylor – a bold move that shows just how much Taylor values her namesake.

When she was approached by Fox Studios for the role of Cleopatra, she used her power to negotiate a record salary that would redefine the way actors were paid for generations. Pictured signing her career defining contract with Fox Studios

The Romance That Will Top It All

But here's the juicy part: Taylor Swift has been dating NFL player Travis Kelce since July 2023, and sources close to the couple say they're "genuinely ready" for marriage and children. Could this be the romance that tops all others? Stay tuned to find out!

The Real Question: What Will Taylor Swift Do Next?

Elizabeth welcomed Christopher and her 72-year-old son Michael (2-L, pictured in 1955) during her four-year marriage to her Conspirator co-star turned second ex-husband Michael Wilding (L), which ended in 1957

As we await the release of "The Life Of A Showgirl," one thing is certain – Taylor Swift will continue to make headlines with her music, her love life, and her unwavering commitment to being true to herself. Will she follow in Elizabeth Taylor's footsteps as a Hollywood legend, or forge her own path? Only time will tell.

But for now, let's take a moment to appreciate the ultimate showdown between two of the most iconic women in entertainment history – Elizabeth Taylor and Taylor Swift. It's a story that's equal parts drama, romance, and rebellion – a true Hollywood classic.

The 35-year-old singer gave a nod to Taylor's mid-century movie star aesthetic in the music video for Wildest Dreams, and even directly referenced her romance with Richard Burton in her song, 'Ready For It?', with the lyric, 'Burton to my Taylor.' Pictured with her partner, Travis Kelce

Elizabeth famously rebelled against studio control in Hollywood, particularly at MGM, with whom she had a contract until 1960

The 14-time Grammy winner announced Wednesday on her boyfriend Travis Kelce's podcast New Heights that she will release The Life of a Showgirl on October 3

In many ways her successor, Taylor Swift also shot to fame while she was just a teenager at the time, and has gone on to secure international fame and made an ever-lasting mark in pop culture's history pages

Growing up while under the thumb of the movie studio, Elizabeth was subjected to gruelling working hours with little time for schooling, and was regularly typecast as merely a 'pretty face' in unchallenging roles, a routine that she quickly grew sick of

Elizabeth, ever-drawn to romance, was famously married more than half a dozen times, beginning first with her marriage to Nicky Hilton - the future great uncle of Paris Hilton - aged 18. Pictured at her first wedding in 1950

Husband number two was actor and fellow Brit, Michael Wilding, pictured, who she met on the set of the 1952 film, Ivanhoe

Elizabeth famously sent shockwaves through the showbiz world when she fell for Richard Burton, pictured, while still married to fourth husband Eddie Fisher - with the lovebirds marrying just 10 days after she divorced Fisher

Elizabeth's third marriage was to Hollywood tycoon, Mike Todd, pictured, whom she widely referred to as the 'love of her life'

A woman who wore her heart on her sleeve, Elizabeth had been 10 times and married eight times to seven different men by the time she died

Elizabeth's marriage to Eddie Fisher, pictured, was widely considered once of the biggest romantic scandals Hollywood had seen. The singer had been Mike Todd's former best-man at their wedding and the husband of her close friend, Debbie Reynolds, with whom he fathered the actress, Carrie Fisher

Her penultimate nuptial was to John Warner, pictured, who she met on a blind-date while attending to Queen Elizabeth II's dinner at the British Embassy in Washington D.C

When Elizabeth walked down the aisle for the final time, it was to meet Larry Fortensky, pictured, a construction worker 20 years her junior who she had met at the Betty Ford rehab centre

One of Swift's most significant relationships was with British actor, Joe Alwyn, pictured, whom she was with for six years between May 2017 to April 2023

Shortly afterwards, Swift was linked to outspoken 1975 front man, Matty Healy after the pair were spotted on a number of dates in New York City, with Healy also seen in the crowd at one of of Swift's Eras tour gigs

Since her debut album launched in 2006, Swift has had at least a dozen high profile relationships, attracting fascination from fans who have desperately sought clues about her love-life based on lyrics from her 19 albums. Pictured with Calvin Harris, her boyfriend in 2015

The fascination with Elizabeth's love life lasted the span of her life, a reality that will no doubt prove true too for Swift, who has stoked obsessive-levels of interest in her romantic endeavours through her career. Pictured with her former boyfriend, Tom Hiddleston

The Love Story singer, who is currently dating Travis Kelce, has had at least a dozen relationships, all of which have been front page splashes since the release of her first album as a teenager. Pictured with Connor Kennedy