Taylor Swift on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, released a teaser for her self-directed “Patient Zero” music video starring Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell, with a world premiere planned at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, according to Variety (opens in new tab), Rolling Stone (opens in new tab), CBS News (opens in new tab), Deadline (opens in new tab), and ABC News/GMA.
Outlets reported the song “Patient Zero” is set to arrive Friday with Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore” expanded album, which also adds tracks including “Cleveland!,” “Pink Clouding,” and “Babylon.” Swift is also slated to receive the inaugural Artist-Director Award at the VMAs, Variety (opens in new tab) said.
The teaser—aired on CBS Mornings before Swift shared it on social media—shows Swift and Johnson in mirrored sequences and includes Colin Farrell joining them in black attire; cinematography is credited to Emmanuel Lubezki, the cited packages said.
The Event Log treats the announcement, teaser release, Friday song/album plan, and Sunday VMA premiere schedule as confirmed entertainment reporting. Any plot interpretation of the unfinished video, awards-night performance surprises, or chart outcomes remain speculation until they happen. This item is distinct from prior Showgirl Encore announcement coverage.