NYC Showgirls Spill the Tea on Taylor Swift's New Album

Taylor Swift's upcoming album, "The Life of a Showgirl," has everyone buzzing. But New York City's real showgirls have a few things to say about the reality behind the glitz and glamour.

A Broadway Star's Perspective

Mikayla Renfrew, a star in "Chicago the Musical," shares her insights. She and her fellow showgirls are excited to see Swift's take on their lives but know the reality is a bit different from the image projected on stage.

Renfrew describes the life as a 50/50 split between glamorous moments and the hard work that goes into it. The reality often involves early mornings, long rehearsals, and constant preparation for new cast members. She even notes the extra work they face preparing for Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino to join the cast!

The Real Definition of a Showgirl

Renfrew offers a simple definition: "If you have to put on red lipstick and a fake eyelash or a 3-inch heel every night for your job, that constitutes being a showgirl." This includes the six-night-a-week schedule and double-features she experiences performing in "Chicago." Swift's album theme, described as "exuberant and electric and vibrant," has a slightly different feel from the everyday routine of a Broadway performer.

The Glamorous Ritual

The true glamour, Renfrew says, happens during those pre-show hours. The ritual of makeup, the transformation into character, those are the moments where the magic happens. She recalls watching Cher put makeup on Christina Aguilera in the movie "Burlesque" and realizing how powerful this transformation is, and how that stuck with her.

A Double Life

Renfrew reveals a "double life"—balancing bookish days and nights under the stage lights. This dual existence, a combination of everyday life and the exhilarating world of Broadway, is what truly defines her experience as a showgirl.