This is about a lawsuit dealing with a showgirl. Well, to be accurate, showgirls, and who gets to use “of a showgirl.” It might otherwise have flown completely beneath the radar of almost everyone, except for one detail: it involves the most popular entertainer on the planet.
Taylor Swift finds herself being sued by Maren Flagg, who performs in Las Vegas under the name Maren Wade. Filed in U.S. District Court on March 30, 2026, Wade’s federal lawsuit accuses Swift, TAS Rights Management, and Universal Music Group (UMG Recordings) of trademark infringement, violations of the California Unfair Competition law, and false designation of origin. The controversy is over the name of Swift’s latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” Wade, who began marketing herself under “Confessions of a Showgirl” with a column in Las Vegas Weekly in 2014, claims Swift’s album title is in direct violation of Wade’s trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), which she registered in 2015.
Wade, who also self-published a book and created a stage show based on her “Confessions of a Showgirl” identity, is demanding a permanent injunction barring Swift from continuing to use “The Life of a Showgirl” and damages that include a disgorgement of profits due to the likelihood of confusion that will hamper Wade’s brand. The lawsuit claims that Swift’s team attempted to register “The Life of a Showgirl” with the USPTO, only to be denied due to Wade’s existing trademark.
In reclaiming the rights to her music and later reissuing new versions of her studio albums, Swift has shown a history of not being afraid to get her hands dirty with legal actions in federal court. Since it’s unlikely that the defendants are on board with changing the name of Swift’s recent release, either a court battle or a settlement looms.
You Angered the Swifties? Yikes!
It’s possible there are people in the U.S. who haven’t heard of Taylor Swift, but it seems difficult to fathom. At only 36 years old, Swift ranks among the most successful musical artists of all time. She’s sold over 116 million albums, generated $3.12 billion in cumulative revenue from her touring, and is currently the most-streamed artist on Spotify. Swift has won 14 Grammy awards, including an unmatched four for Album of the Year. In addition, she’s the most awarded artist by the American Music Association, the Billboard Music Association, and the MTV Video Music Association.
2025’s “The Life of a Showgirl,” which included songs detailing her behind-the-scenes experiences during her Eras tour, was the best-selling album of the year. Her fans, referred to as “Swifties,” are considered extremely devoted and protective.
Wade has carved out her own (much smaller) niche in the entertainment industry, which includes singing on “America’s Got Talent,” touring with the Radio City Rockettes, and appearing in cabarets and theatrical productions. Drawing on her experiences working in Sin City shows, Wade began writing a column called “Confessions of a Showgirl” for Las Vegas Weekly in 2014. She expanded her brand through a book and a live show with the same name, and also uses it for her podcast. Wade registered the trademark for “Confessions of a Showgirl” with the USPTO in 2015.
Citing violations of the Lanham Act, Wade claims that Swift’s album title is “confusingly similar” to her trademark, and her brand will be damaged by the pop star’s fans thinking that Wade ripped her off, and not the other way around. She notes that the alleged rejection of Swift’s application to register “The Life of a Showgirl” with the USPTO serves as proof that the defendants were well aware they were infringing on Wade’s trademark. The suit argues that a star of Swift’s magnitude isn’t solely identified by any particular brand or album title, while the “showgirl” appellation defines Wade as an entertainer.
I Knew You Were Trouble
Wade’s existing trademark for “Confessions of a Showgirl” is a good legal arrow to have in her quiver, but her path to victory may not be an easy one. She’ll need to show proof that Swift’s alleged trademark infringement has caused her injury to collect actual damages, which may prove challenging for someone with fewer than 2,000 subscribers on her Instagram social media account.
The last blog update on her “Confessions of a Showgirl” website was in 2021, and the self-published book she wrote is listed as out of print. According to Wade, her most recent performance of the “Confessions of a Showgirl” show was in January 2026, but neither of her professional websites lists any future dates.
However, the possibility of a court order blocking Swift from using “The Life of a Showgirl” means her camp likely won’t take Wade’s lawsuit too lightly, particularly considering the previous rejection by the USPTO. Fortunately, whether the case is dismissed, settled, or it goes to trial, neither entertainer is faced with The Fate of Ophelia.
Related Resources
- Judge Dismissed Copyright Case Against Taylor Swift (FindLaw’s Federal Courts)
- Proving Infringement: Confusing Simularity (FindLaw’s Intellectual Property Law)
- Singer Wants Ex-Husband’s Widow To Cher the Wealth by Paying Legal Fees (FindLaw’s Legally Weird)
