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As Taylor Swift fans eagerly await her new single, the more critical among them are claiming “Patient Zero” artwork has been heavily photo edited.
Fans across X and Instagram took to the social media platforms on Tuesday, September 22, to share thoughts on the upcoming single’s new portrait of Swift, 36. “People online are zooming in on her armpit, claiming something about the area looks seriously off and questioning whether the photo was heavily edited or retouched,” summarized one Instagram user before writing over the cover art, “Someone fire whoever is in charge of Taylor’s Photoshop?!?”
Us has reached out to a representative for Swift for comment.
Instagram users further discussed the photo, which shows the pop star leaning against a concrete wall as her torso appears to arch away from it. “Once you notice one armpit edit you see them all,” commented one fan, while another noted, “I’m a huge Swiftie and I see it. This one just didn’t look right.”
Interestingly, one Swiftie argued that a potential photo edit may have been intentional. “It could be an artistic choice. She’s been worried about public opinion in the past, maybe the song is about erasing every imperfection till you no longer look like you, then finding yourself again after that?” the fan posed.
Others simply couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary. “Can someone explain because either I’ve missed something or I just don’t understand what to look for,” wrote one fan, while another commented, “Her armpits can do that, chill.”
The photo was unveiled via Instagram by Swift on Tuesday as she announced the arrival of a fresh era. “I’ve been impatiently waiting to tell you that my brand new single ‘Patient Zero’ will be out on September 25 (!!!!!!!!!!!!) and it’s available to pre-order now on my website for 24 hours,” Swift wrote.
Her official website simultaneously showed three CD variations of the release which spanned acoustic and piano versions of the new single. With the variations came two additional previously unseen snaps of Swift posing demurely.
In the piano version cover art, she notably switched out her wedding ring for an emerald-cut diamond ring on a silver band. (Swift and Travis Kelce tied the knot on July 3 in a star-studded Madison Square Garden wedding.)
In addition to heavy scrutiny of Swift’s alleged photo editing and ring styling, the photos have also led fans to start speculating about what the track will reveal about Swift’s songwriting psyche. “A sister album to The Life of a Showgirl and it’s the death of a showgirl,” one fan wrote via X in light of the announcement. Another fan agreed that it could be a “dark and scary halloween rock album” and “the opposite of The Life of a Showgirl,” in which Swift wore ultra colorful attire.
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