"Opalite" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl (2025). She wrote and produced the track with the Swedish musicians Max Martin and Shellback. Titled after artificial opals, "Opalite" is a love song about how Swift and her romantic partner create happiness together after a string of miseries in previous relationships. Using gemstone metaphors, the lyrics visualize painful experiences as dark "onyx" nights and subsequent joy as a bright, opalescent sky. It is an upbeat pop rock, soft rock, and synth-pop track, driven by a jangle, a discogroove, and a bouncy swing arrangement of bass and vocal harmonies.
"Opalite" was released as the second single from The Life of a Showgirl on January 12, 2026. Music critics generally praised its breezy sound and uplifting message; many deemed it an album highlight. The track reached number one in Germany, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and number two on the Billboard Global 200 chart as well as in Australia, Austria, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Portugal, and Switzerland. "Opalite" marked Swift's 6th and 14th number-one song on the UK singles chart and the US Billboard Hot 100, respectively, and the second from The Life of a Showgirl in both countries after "The Fate of Ophelia" (2025). The song has been certified multi-platinum in Canada, and platinum in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
Swift wrote and directed the music video for "Opalite", which was released on Spotify and Apple Music on February 6, 2026. The video was shot on film and incorporates 1990s rom-com aesthetics, with cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto. It features the cast of an October 2025 episode of The Graham Norton Show during the promotional cycle of The Life of a Showgirl, starring Swift opposite Domhnall Gleeson, with Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, Lewis Capaldi, and Graham Norton in supporting roles, as well as a cameo and voiceover by Cillian Murphy. Swift and Gleeson play two lonely people who fall in love with each other after using an "Opalite" potion.
Background and release
Swift's fiance Travis Kelce was an inspiration for the song.
On August 13, 2025, Taylor Swift announced her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, during an episode of New Heights, a sports podcast co-hosted by her then-boyfriend (now fiancé) Travis Kelce and his brother Jason.[1] "Opalite" was also announced that day as the third track on the album.[2] Swift's childhood love of opals inspired the song's title. Opal is also Kelce's birthstone. An opalite is an artificial opal—a synthetic opalescentglass, simulating various opal and moonstone gems. Swift took inspiration from these facts, employing opalite as a metaphor for the idea that happiness can be created voluntarily.[3][4] Swift described the song as "a song about forgiving yourself for having gone through something that didn't pan out the way you wanted it to and giving yourself permission to not have it all figured out or not marry the first person you ever dated".[5] In his podcast New Heights, Kelce described it as his favorite song on the album.[6][7]
After the release of The Life of a Showgirl, "Opalite" had become the album's second best-performing song on record charts after the lead single "The Fate of Ophelia" and had gathered significant airplay, in addition to being a "fan-favorite" according to Slate critic Chris Molanphy.[8] In November 2025, publications reported that Swift had filmed a music video for her next single from The Life of a Showgirl in various locations in London, including the Whitgift Centre in Croydon. They also alleged involvement from Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson and Scottish musician Lewis Capaldi in the video; Swift had appeared in an October 2025 episode of the British comedy talk show The Graham Norton Show, alongside guests including Gleeson and Capaldi.[9][10][11]
"Opalite" became the second single from The Life of a Showgirl on January 12, 2026,[12] with Universal Music releasing the song to radio stations in France.[13] On the 22nd, pre-orders for CD singles of "Opalite" were made available on Swift's US web store, shipping by February 16.[14] The song was also sent to Italian radio stations on January 23.[15] Five versions of the song were also released as CD singles: an acoustic rendition by Swift, subtitled "Life is A Song",[16] and four electronic dance music remixes by the English DJ Chris Lake,[17] German DJ Bunt,[18] English DJ Skream,[19] and Austrian DJ Ely Oaks[de].[20] Kelce, as a fan of Lake, inspired Lake to collaborate with Swift in remixing "Opalite". Rolling Stone described Lake's remix as a house track.[21]
Lyrically, "Opalite" is a love song about Swift's romance with Kelce.[7][40] The lyrics are mainly focused on their relationship, and includes references to former relationships of both Swift and Kelce.[5] In the first verse, she describes her past dating life, her habit of reminiscing on her ex-lovers, and her brother's advice. It is followed by a refrain that is words of comfort from her mother, Andrea.[41] Swift reflects on Kelce's dating life in the second verse.[41] In the refrain, Swift carries on her lyrical tradition of associating colors with emotions.[42] She describes sadness and sorrow as "onyx night"—onyxes being a generally black and white group of gemstones, and equates happiness with an "opalite" sky—an iridiscent pastel blue shade; this contrast evokes a symbolic transition of healing, as in dark clouds giving way to sunny skies.[4][40] The bridge offers words of encouragement, describing loss and failure as steps towards freedom.[43]People's Samantha Stutsman described the song as "a celebration of growth, self-forgiveness and the messy, beautiful journey of love."[5] According to Collider's Isabella Soares, it "is a love song about surpassing romantic hardships alongside a person that brings you joy and stability."[42] Deborah Cruz of Parade considered the song to be a reference to the 2004 film Napoleon Dynamite.[44]
Critical reception
Critical reception of "Opalite" was positive, with emphasis on its uplifting and optimistic message. Its shimmering and "glossy" production drew plaudits.[5][7] Writing for USA Today, Bryan West described the melody as being "as addictive as a narcotic",[7]. At the same time, Melissa Ruggeri deemed it the best song of 2025.[45]Variety's Chris Willman called the refrain "a sheer pheromone rush".[46] According to Lauren Hague of Clash, "Opalite" is "destined to be a radio 'pop song of the summer' style hit", boasting an "infectious" hook and a "delightful" bridge that showcases Swift's upper register vocals.[30] Similarly, Kristen S. Hé of NME called the song a sweet, "obvious radio single".[39] Soares described it as a catchy, bubbly, danceable track.[42] According to Alan Light from Esquire, "Opalite" is a "straight-up bop, dizzy in love".[33]
BBC News's Mark Savage praised the song's "breezy" composition, describing them as "unfurling like a blossoming romance".[32] Maria Sherman of the Associated Press admired the swooning, "addictive and idiosyncratic Swiftisms" the song offers, claiming "Opalite" would not work for any other artist. She noted that the song has an "almost iridescent" sonic quality,[31] while Anna Gaca of Pitchfork thought the song is theatrical in sound.[35]
Several critics considered the song a highlight of The Life of a Showgirl. The Los Angeles Times critic Mikael Wood liked its "gorgeous", laid-back sound.[25] Durva More of The Economic Times called "Opalite" a stand-out for its themes of emotional growth and self-forgiveness, and for a display of Swift's hopeful side.[41] Caroline Darney of For the Win placed it number-one on their ranking of the songs of The Life of a Showgirl, praising its joyous and "sweet" atmosphere.[47] Molanphy called it the album's "perkiest ditty".[8] Jason Lipshutz of Billboard ranked it 8th in his list, describing it as a "slick, shimmying" track with a lively, singable refrain.[22]Prestige Hong Kong's Bushra Jung also ranked it 8th, calling it an "infectiously, contagiously happy" song with an explosive, thumping refrain.[48]Harper's Bazaar editors ranked it 6th best from the album.[49] Willman considered "Opalite" as a surprising change of pace within in the album.[46] Gaca picked "Opalite" as one of the album's best songs, describing it as "a better-days-ahead anthem".[35]
The song also received a few mixed reviews. Carl Wilson of Slate named the song a near perfect "classic Max Martin banger", but preferred its refrains and bridge over the "dull" verses.[50] Wren Graves of Consequence quipped "Opalite" has a "fine but forgettable" refrain.[51] Soares of Collider placed the song 9th in her ranking of the album's 12 songs, finding its lyricism sub-par for Swift's songwriting acumen.[42]
Commercial performance
Upon the album's release, "Opalite" topped the charts in the Philippines as the second song from The Life of a Showgirl to reach number one on the chart, following the lead single "The Fate of Ophelia".[52] The song reached the top 10 in several countries across the globe, including Australia, Belgium, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Middle East, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland, and Vietnam. It landed in the top 20 in Brazil, France, Mexico, Poland, Spain, and Taiwan.[53] The single has been certified double platinum in Canada,[54] and platinum in Australia,[55] New Zealand,[56] and the United Kingdom.[57]
In the United States, "Opalite" debuted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart upon the album's release. It spent 19 weeks on the chart and 14 weeks in the top 10 before rising to number one following its single release,[8] becoming Swift's 14th number-one song in the country. The Life of a Showgirl became her first album since 1989 (2014) to produce multiple number-one songs. Swift broke the record for the most number-one songs by an artist in the 2020s and tied the Barbadian singer Rihanna for the most number-one songs in the 21st century.[58] Molanphy remarked that none of Swift's previous singles had persisted on the charts as much as "Opalite" did prior to reaching number one within the United States.[8] The song reached number one on the Pop and Adult Pop Airplay charts, marking Swift's record-extending 15th number-one single on both the charts.[59][60][61] The single also became her record-extending 31st number-one song on the Digital Song Sales chart.[58]
In the United Kingdom, "Opalite" had debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart and vaulted to number one following the music video's release. It marked Swift's sixth number-one song in the UK and made The Life of a Showgirl her first album to produce two number-one songs in the country.[62] In Germany, "Opalite" debuted at number three on the singles chart upon the album's release and topped the charts following its single release. It became Swift's second number-one song in Germany and the second song from The Life of a Showgirl to reach number one on the chart, following the lead single "The Fate of Ophelia".[63]
Music video
Production and release
Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson plays Swift's love interest in the "Opalite" music video
Swift wrote and directed the music video for "Opalite".[64] She collaborated with the cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, who shot the video on film,[65] and the choreographer Mandy Moore, who choreographed Swift's Eras Tour and "The Fate of Ophelia" music video.[66] Swift conceived the video following her appearance on the talk show The Graham Norton Show in October 2025, where she was a guest alongside Gleeson, Capaldi, Cillian Murphy, Greta Lee, and Jodie Turner-Smith. During the broadcast, Gleeson jokingly expressed interest in appearing in one of Swift's music videos, which inspired her to conceptualize the video featuring all her fellow guests, along with the host Graham Norton. Swift sent Gleeson the script for the music video within a week, featuring him in the starring role.[64][67] The video also features cameo appearances from Swift's backup dancers from her 2023–2024 concert tour, the Eras Tour, as well as Swift's brother Austin.[68]
The music video was released on Apple Music and Spotify Premium on February 6, 2026, and on YouTube two days later.[69] UK politician Sarah Jones, the Member of Parliament for Croydon West, shared on social media that some scenes of the video were filmed at the Whitgift Centre, a shopping complex in her constituency. People reported that Swift transformed the "run-down" mall for the music video, using production to restore it to a 1990s visual.[70] Two behind-the-scenes (as extended versions of the music video) were released on Apple Music and Spotify Premium on February 13.[71][72]
Synopsis
The video stars Swift and Gleeson as a pair of wallflowers bonded with inanimate objects before they find each other and forge a new bond with the help of a magical spray potion called "Opalite".[8] It is set in the 1990s.[73][74]
The 1990s-inspired music video of "Opalite" incorporates an informercial that advertizes a fictional potion of the same name (pictured) that can fix all types of relationships.
Swift watches an infomercial promoting the potion, advertized and voiced by Murphy.[75][65] The spray is claimed to provide companionship and transform "crappiness into happiness".[64][76] The video then shows Swift as a "lonely woman" who is attached to her Pet Rock. She makes friendship bracelets, performs karaoke, and goes to bars with the unresponsive rock.[64][75] Lee appears as an indie rock singer-songwriter on MTV, while Turner-Smith plays an aerobics instructor.[75][77] Gleeson is shown as a "lonely man" who is in an abusive relationship with his pet cactus, which repeatedly injures him despite his best efforts.[64][75] He places an order for "Opalite" and sprays it on the cactus, while Swift sprays herself at the same time, prompting her to appear in his house magically. Gleeson helps Swift, who is drenched in the potion, clean up in his bathtub.[75][67]
Swift and Gleeson begin a relationship and are shown going on several dates, including a visit to a shopping mall, where Capaldi's character photographs them. The couple runs into the cactus, which gives them the finger, and the rock, which wears a "Fuck you, forever" bracelet.[64][75] Norton plays a salesman for "Nope-alite", the second-best-selling spray and one that reverses the effects of "Opalite". Norton attempts to give Swift a free sample. Still, Gleeson stops him.[75][67] The couple perform a choreographed number at a dance competition,[75] where all the judges, including Kameron Saunders, score them a zero, which does not seem to bother Swift and Gleeson.[78]
In the epilogue, the cactus and the rock get married after having met through "Opalite".[67][79] The end credits feature clips from The Graham Norton Show episode that served as the catalyst for the video's production.[75]
Reception
Maya Georgi of Rolling Stone described the music video as a funny, "silly but sweet" story.[73] Mehera Bonner of Cosmopolitan dubbed it the "cutest romcom ever",[80] while Mark Savage of BBC News called it a "hilarious" video.[81]The Guardian's Ben Beaumont-Thomas described it as a "whimsical, fantastical video" with a retro 1990s aesthetic.[82] Alyssa Bailey of Elle contrasted the "Opalite" video with that of "The Fate of Ophelia", saying the former focuses on "the search for love and connection—through a '90s lens", while the latter is an exploration of fame and female performers. Bailey also opined that the video's dance competition and mall trip depict "quintessential" romantic dates in the 1990s.[64] Molanphy referred to the video as a "strenuously amusing clip".[8] Callie Ahlgrim of Business Insider listed several visual and lyrical Easter eggs in the video, referencing her other songs such as "You Belong with Me" (2009), "Lover" (2019), "Mad Woman" (2020), "Bejeweled" (2022), "Father Figure", and "Ruin the Friendship" (both 2025).[78] Alim Kheraj of The Independent criticized the video as "another vehicle for Swiftian world-building" that leans into commercial self-mythology more than artistic expression. Kheraj described Swift as an exceptional storyteller-cum-popstar who has resorted to insularity and "hollow" creativity with the video.[83]
In popular culture
Upon the announcement of the tracklist of The Life of a Showgirl, Google searches for the word "opalite" increased.[84] Following the song's release, it inspired a viral dance trend on social media, especially in the Philippines, where the track was viral on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram,[52][85] and those viral videos integrated the Filipino language.[85] A surge in opal sales was reported, with Gina Vaynshteyn and Katie Ann Lehman of StyleCaster describing it as a "much deserved hype".[86] In Latin America, social media users alleged that "Opalite" sampled "Dos Enamorados", a popular song recorded by several artists, including the Mexican singer Luis Miguel.[87]
Some TikTok users accused Swift of racial insensitivity with the lyric "Sleepless in the onyx night, but now the sky is opalite", dubbing it an attack on Kelce's former girlfriend, the American social media influencer Kayla Nicole. The song's second verse features the lyric "you were in it for real, she was in her phone, and you were just a pose", which some listeners and critics also speculated to be about Nicole.[88] Following the album's release, a resurfaced video on the Internet showed Kelce asking Nicole to "get off the phone".[89] Subsequently, Nicole's social media posts were interpreted by media outlets as disses aimed at Kelce and Swift,[90][91] while Nicole claimed they were inspired by her childhood friend named Taylor.[92] After facing backlash from fans of Swift and Kelce, Nicole posted tweets such as "Protect black women. Respect black women." Swift's fans accused Nicole of hypocrisy, resurfacing her old tweets containing language widely described as racist, sexist, ableist, and homophobic.[93][94] Nicole deleted the controversial tweets before fully deactivating her Twitter account.[95]
The section of the Whitgift Centre in Croydon, England, featured in the "Opalite" music video
A merchandise necklace inspired by "Opalite" became the subject of controversy after a viral TikTok video claimed it contained "Nazi" and "white supremacist" symbolism.[96]Rolling Stone's Brian Hiatt said that some of the online discourse was "downright ludicrous, rooted in bad-faith misreadings of lyrics by listeners".[97] In December 2025, media publications reported that the backlash was coordinated as part of a smear campaign targeting Swift. According to research by the behavioral intelligence platform GUDEA, a coordinated network of inauthentic accounts seeded and amplified social media posts falsely accusing her of endorsing far-right politics, Nazism, and white supremacism in her lyrics and album merchandise.[98][99][100]
The Whitgift Centre, the Croydon shopping mall that had been in a ruinous state, attracted renewed public interest after being featured in the "Opalite" music video.[102][103] Fans flocked to the mall to take pictures and videos. According to Georgia Bell of The Standard, the mall's escalator seen in the video, on which Swift and Gleeson descend while holding hands, became a locally recognized landmark.[104] Some locals felt that Swift had put Croydon back "on the map" while others took issue with journalists calling the mall "abandoned".[105]
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