Taylor Swift’s Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor Didn’t Go Unnoticed by Her Son

Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album isn’t even out yet, but it’s already making waves — and catching the attention of Hollywood royalty.

After announcing The Life of a Showgirl on the August 13 episode of New Heights, Swift revealed the album’s 12-song tracklist — and fans quickly locked in on Track 2: “Elizabeth Taylor.”

Now, the late screen icon’s son, Christopher Wilding, is sharing his reaction — and he sounds genuinely moved by the tribute.

Wilding called Swift a “rare, positive role model for young girls” and praised her for her philanthropy and the “courage to stand up for what she believes.”

As for the song title? “If [Taylor’s] track brings some revitalized respect to my mother’s name,” he told TMZ, “that’s great by me.”

Not Taylor’s First Taylor Reference

While this is the first time Swift has released a song named after Elizabeth Taylor, it’s far from the first time she’s drawn inspiration from the late Hollywood legend.

Back on reputation, she famously referenced Taylor’s on-again, off-again love story with Richard Burton — the man the actress married twice — in her track “...Ready For It?”

“He can be my jailer, Burton to this Taylor…,” Swift sings on the fiery track.

During her 1989 era, Swift channeled Taylor’s signature style in the music video for “Wildest Dreams,” donning a sleek black bob and falling for her co-star on a vintage film set — much like Taylor and Burton on the set of Cleopatra.

And most recently, in December 2023, Swift received a Taylor–inspired birthday gift from close friend Keleigh Teller: opal and blue topaz jewelry.

“This is unreal, Keleigh,” Swift said in an Instagram Story at the time. “Opal and blue topaz. Wow. This is like a present for Elizabeth Taylor, not me.”

Keleigh’s sweet reply? “You’re my Elizabeth Taylor.”

Elizabeth Taylor’s Enduring Legacy

Taylor began her acting career at age 10 and went on to become one of the most celebrated and talked-about women in Hollywood history.

Read More: 31 Country Stars You Won’t Believe Aren’t Grand Ole Opry Members

Her filmography includes Cleopatra, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, A Place in the Sun, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.

She won two Academy Awards for Best Actress, a Golden Globe, and captivated generations with her striking beauty and undeniable talent.

Off-screen, Taylor’s personal life was just as iconic.

Her romantic history — eight marriages to seven men, a few headline-making engagements, and an epic love story with Burton — became part of Hollywood legend.

Taylor Swift's 11 Best Country Collaborations, Ranked

It's no surprise that Taylor Swift's voice works so well in a country setting — it is her home genre, after all! From the Chicks to Chris Stapleton to Tim McGraw, Swift's country collaborations keep the genre close to her heart, no matter where else music takes her.

Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak

Charley Gallay, Getty Images

No. 11: Taylor Swift feat. Maren Morris, "You All Over Me"

Swift journeyed once more back to her country roots with "You All Over Me," a ballad that's one of six "From the Vault" tracks on Fearless (Taylor's Version). Maren Morris' backing vocals are pretty sparse on this recording, limited to gentle accompaniment to Swift's melody line in the chorus and second verse. Still, it's a sweet throwback to Swift's Nashville beginnings.

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

No. 10: Taylor Swift feat. Keith Urban, "That's When"

"That's When" is actually one of two "From the Vault" tracks on Fearless (Taylor's Version) to feature Urban's voice. The country A-Lister was an important collaborator on the re-release, and it's no wonder: Urban was also a big figure in Swift's life back in the late 2000s, when Fearless originally came out. He even tapped Swift to be his opening act for his 2009 world tour.

Terry Wyatt, Getty Images

No. 9: Taylor Swift feat. Rascal Flatts, "What Hurts the Most" (Live)

Here's another full-circle moment from a Swift show: During one of three sold-out Nashville stops on her Red Tour in late 2013, Swift brought country trio Rascal Flatts to the stage for a performance of their hit "What Hurts the Most." The moment was a callback to years earlier, when Swift opened for Rascal Flatts' arena tour. At the time, she was a brand new artist, and the opening slot marked her first major tour. She was chosen for the gig to replace Eric Church, who was fired from the tour for not sticking to the time constraints of his set.

Kevin Winter, Getty Images

No. 8: Taylor Swift feat. Colbie Caillat, "Breathe"

Ever since Caillat put our her 2007 debut album, Swift has been a fan — and she specifically reached out to write with the "Bubbly" star when she was writing for Fearless, her second studio album. The result is an ethereal, early-career heartbreak ballad that pairs Swift and Caillat's pitch-perfect voices.

Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

No. 7: Taylor Swift feat. the Civil Wars, "Safe and Sound"

Swift knew what she was doing when she enlisted folk-country duo the Civil Wars for this eerie, spooky ballad. The song shot to fame as part of the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 and Beyond, and it won Swift and the Civil Wars a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media.

Larry Busacca, Getty Images

No. 6: Taylor Swift and Faith Hill, "The Way You Love Me" (Live)

It doesn't matter how many big stars you meet or A-List duets you do — you never get over sharing a stage with your idol. Without Faith Hill, Taylor Swift might never have pursued music: She was inspired to go to Nashville after watching a VH1 Behind the Music documentary that put a spotlight on Hill's early career. After Swift broke into the music business, Hill was always there to serve as a mentor, so it's no surprise that Swift looks so starstruck during this duet performance of "The Way You Love Me."

Kevin Winter, Getty Images

No. 5: Taylor Swift feat. Chris Stapleton, "I Bet You Think About Me"

When Taylor Swift transitioned from country to pop in 2012, Chris Stapleton was still three years away from the now-legendary 2015 CMAs performance with Justin Timberlake that would effectively launch his superstardom. Though they never overlapped as mainstream country stars, it's still no wonder that Swift chose Stapleton as a collaborator on "I Bet You Think About Me," one of the "From the Vault" tracks off Red (Taylor's Version) in 2021. His harmony vocals are some of the finest and most expressive the genre has to offer.

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

No. 4: Sugarland feat. Taylor Swift, "Babe"

After Swift wrote "Babe," she wasn't planning on cutting it herself — but lucky for fans, she decided to give it to country group Sugarland and sing backing vocals instead. Not only that, but Swift appears in the music video, starring opposite Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles as a 1950s secretary embroiled in an affair with Nettles' character's husband.

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

No. 3: Taylor Swift feat. Luke Bryan, "I Don't Want This Night to End" (Live)

Taylor Swift's three sold-out Nashville stops on her Red Tour were all unforgettable in their own way, and none was more special than the night she brought Luke Bryan to the stage. This onstage duet is just plain high-energy fun: Swift led the whole crowd in a singalong (and jump-a-long) to Bryan's signature hit, "I Don't Want This Night to End."

YouTube

No. 2: Taylor Swift feat. the Chicks, "Soon You'll Get Better"

This tender track off Swift's Lover album was deeply personal: She wrote it as her mother was battling cancer. Though the song was written long after Swift's transition to pop, it's a sonic return to the country format were she started — making the Chicks an appropriate choice for a collaborating act.

Christopher Polk, Getty Images

No. 1: Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, "Highway Don't Care"

Way back at the start of her career, Taylor Swift's debut single to country radio was called "Tim McGraw." That makes it even more special that, in 2013, Swift teamed up with the real McGraw for "Highway Don't Care," a smash country hit also featuring Keith Urban on guitar. The song won a slew of industry awards in 2013 and 2014, including the ACM Award for Song of the Year.