Margaret Qualley deflects Taylor Swift album question amid Jack Antonoff collaboration speculation

On August 13, 2025, Today Show viewers witnessed an awkward moment when actress Margaret Qualley deflected a question about Taylor Swift’s upcoming album, The Life of a Showgirl. Host Craig Melvin asked if she could share anything about the project, to which Qualley, 30, smiled, laughed, and replied, “I don’t know anything, but we’ll all be excited to listen to the music.”

Qualley, married to Swift’s longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff, has been part of the pop star’s circle for years. She and Antonoff tied the knot in August 2023, with Swift among the star-studded wedding guests. Speaking to Cosmopolitan for its Fall 2025 issue, Qualley praised her husband, saying he’s “been the person I’ve pictured my whole life” and noting their relationship is grounded in authenticity.

Her comment on Today came amid growing speculation that Antonoff may not have worked on The Life of a Showgirl. Fans pointed to a Spotify playlist Swift posted on August 11, featuring 22 tracks produced only by Max Martin and Shellback. The playlist, titled “And, baby, that’s show business for you,” notably omitted Antonoff’s previous collaborations and fueled theories of a creative shift toward a synth-pop sound.

Although Antonoff has co-produced several of Swift’s acclaimed albums — including 1989, Reputation, Folklore, and Midnights — he has also described their partnership as having “its own language.” In a 2024 Grammy.com interview, he called Swift “the absolute greatest of all time” and praised her ability to push creative boundaries. Swift, in turn, has credited Antonoff’s enthusiasm for songwriting as “contagious” and central to their work.

Whether Antonoff’s absence from the new album is confirmed or not, Qualley’s lighthearted deflection keeps the mystery alive — and fans eager for answers.