Taylor Swift Can’t Help But Take ‘Encore’ Criticism Personally: ‘These Songs Are Like Her Babies’

Taylor Swift‘s newest release, The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, was poorly received by both fans and critics alike, and it’s been a major blow to her ego, a source tells Star.

“Taylor is extremely sensitive to criticism,” says the source. “These songs are like her babies, so when people tear them apart, she can’t help but take it very personally.”

Reviews for the deluxe edition album — which dropped Friday, September 25 and featured four bonus tracks, “Patient Zero,” “Cleveland!,” “Pink Clouding” and “Babylon” — did not hold back either.

“Taylor Swift Needs to Let the Showgirl Era Go,” declared New York Magazine.

“Her music has been almost entirely drained of depth and meaning,” Pitchfork proclaimed.

“‘Cleveland!’ is the “worst song she has ever put out in 20 years,” a fan wrote on X.

Swift, 36, is “used to knocking it out of the park,” Star‘s source notes, “so having people say she’s lost her touch or that this isn’t her best work is obviously going to be very tough.”

Fortunately, husband Travis Kelce “seems to know exactly what to say and do” when the “So High School” singer starts to spiral, adds the source. “He keeps reminding her that she can’t please everyone and she certainly doesn’t need to prove herself at this point.”

It also helps that the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 36, is “completely obsessed” with the song “Cleveland!,” the source says of pop star’s sonic love letter to him.

“He knows all the words and sings them at the top of his lungs, which puts a smile on her face,” reveals the source. “Travis is really going above and beyond to help her get through this and he’s definitely proving that she made the right choice in marrying him.”