New York — The world’s most recognizable showgirl may be entering a new era, but there’s no sign that Taylor Swift’s gold rush is slowing down.

Swift is the only female musical artist in history to sell more than 100 million albums. Her newest album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” created a frenzy when it was released Friday.

“In terms of a business person, Taylor is at the top,” said Kevin Evers, author of the new book “There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift,” and a senior editor at the Harvard Business Review. “She’s always been extremely business savvy, and we can see this with this release, too.” 

Evers says that Swift has always been “really fan-obsessed.”

“So if you look at all the album variants, and all this new stuff that she’s doing around this album, she’s really trying to give her fans as much value as possible,” Evers said.

In August, Swift announced “The Life of a Showgirl” on the popular podcast of her now-fiancé, Travis Kelce. She said the album was inspired by the record-smashing Eras Tour, the first-ever tour to gross more than $2 billion.

“This album is about what was going on behind the scenes in my inner life during this tour, which was so exuberant and electric and, and vibrant,” Swift said on the podcast.

Since then, countdowns on her website appeared for limited edition vinyl records, CDs and cardigans, all of which sold out within minutes.
 
“I mean, she’s definitely going to make a lot of money from this album, and she’s not shy about that,” Evers said. “But at the same time, the reason why all these strategies are working is because her fans are actively engaged.”

Fans are flocking to see her film, “Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl,” which is in theaters this weekend only.

The album became Spotify’s most streamed album in a single day this year. The company said it only took 11 hours to hit that mark.

“Streaming really does not create a lot of money for artists,” Evers explained. “Yes, Taylor Swift is making millions of dollars on streaming, but she’s making much more on merch and the vinyl variants.”

Some tracks seem to reveal new tidbits of her love story with Kelce, a key player in the album’s rollout. It is giving her dedicated fans a look at a new, happier chapter of her life off-stage, and a peek into the future of what could come next. 

Jessica Simpson may soon be making her way back to reality television, and this time, she could be doing it alongside the Kardashian-Jenner family.

According to the latest findings of RadarOnline.com, insiders revealed that Simpson has grown close to the famous clan, who live in the same exclusive gated community outside Los Angeles.

“Her current story as a single mom juggling work, family and dating is compelling, and the Kardashians, more than anybody, see that it could make for great television,” said a source.

The insider added that Simpson’s partnership with the reality moguls is far from coincidence. 

“Jessica’s aligning herself with the Kardashians is no accident. There would be no Kardashians reality franchise without Jessica blazing a trail.”

Fans will remember Simpson’s first foray into reality TV with Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica, which chronicled her ill-fated marriage to boy bander Nick Lachey. 

The couple divorced in 2006 after a relationship marred by arguments and tension.

Since then, Simpson has built a fashion empire valued at $1 billion, amassing a $200 million personal fortune. 

She also briefly returned to her music roots as a country singer, but friends believe that her heart is still set on reclaiming her spot in front of the cameras.

GUWAHATI: After bowling out the Proteas for a paltry 69 in just 20.4 overs, England’s openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones made light work of the chase, cantering home in 14.1 overs.

Electing to bowl first, England rolled the dice early by tossing the new ball to spin, a move captains often shy away from in the power play. But left-arm tweaker Linsey Smith turned out to be the ace up their sleeve, exploiting a tacky surface that had South Africa groping in the dark.

“To get that start was very special. I only found out yesterday that I was opening the bowling and I was excited for the challenge. The conditions suited me well,” said Smith.

It was just Smith’s fifth ODI, but the 30-year-old is no stranger to international cricket, having been part of England’s T20 side since 2018. Now a permanent fixture in the 50-over team, her willingness to bowl in the danger zone of the power play could be a trump card for England going forward in this campaign.

Smith struck in each of her first three overs and was unlucky not to bag a fourth when a stumping chance off Sinalo Jafta went begging. Jafta clung on grimly for 22, the lone South African to reach double figures in a sorry tale of collapse.

It was the Proteas’ third lowest total in ODIs and their worst against England.

The chase was little more than a formality, though Jones survived a let-off on 31 when Masabata Klaas spilled a return catch. She finished unbeaten on 40 with Beaumont on 21 not out.

“Not the way we wanted to start the tournament. We’ve shown resilience in the past and we’ll bounce back,” South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt insisted as her batters were left searching for answers.

England’s dominance was such that Heather Knight, marking her 150th ODI appearance was not required to bat or bowl as her team-mates were so dominant against South Africa. She became only the second player from England to feature in 150 women’s ODIs.

The emphatic win vaulted England to the top of the points table with all eight teams now having played one game each.