Some fans collect vinyl records for the sound. Others do it for the aesthetic. And then there’s Aiden Watson, a Swiftie who just spent around $800 collecting every single physical version of Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
Aiden proudly claims to own all 26 variants . . . although Swiftie sleuths online say there are actually 27. The breakdown? 18 CDs, 8vinyl editions, and one cassette. (Yes, a cassette. Taylor’s nostalgia game is strong.)
He says the collection isn’t just fandom: it’s an investment.
“In a weird parasocial way, it’s like you’re helping make history,” Aiden explained. And honestly, that’s kind of the perfect summary of modern Taylor culture: a blend of music, marketing, and mutual obsession.
But it’s not just about bragging rights. Aiden’s built his social media presence around Taylor-related content, and showing off his collection has actually paid off. “Most people think it’s absurd to own this many copies of the same album—and they’re not wrong,” he said. “But I knew I’d make content of me buying the variants, unboxing them, and showing them off. It’s been quite a fruitful investment.”
Here’s the kicker: Aiden doesn’t even play most of them. He uses the vinyls as wall art instead. Which, in fairness, does make sense, Taylor’s album covers are practically designed for that.
How much have you spent on Taylor Swift in your lifetime?