Billboard
Taylor Swift’s ‘Opalite’ Hits No. 1 — Pop Icon Celebrates 14th Hot 100 Chart-Topper
With 14 No. 1 hits, Swift now ties Rihanna for the third-most Hot 100 chart-toppers in history. Only The Beatles (20) and Mariah Carey (19) remain ahead of her on the all-time leaderboard.
Global pop superstar Taylor Swift has once again claimed the summit of the Billboard Hot 100, as her single “Opalite” climbs to No. 1. The achievement marks Swift’s 14th career Hot 100 chart-topper, further cementing her place among music’s most dominant hitmakers.
The milestone also makes “Opalite” the second No. 1 single from her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl, following “The Fate of Ophelia,” which previously led the chart. Notably, this is the first time since her landmark 2014 album 1989 that Taylor Swift has scored two Hot 100 No. 1 hits from the same project.
Behind-the-Scenes Celebration With Collaborators
To commemorate the achievement, Taylor Swift shared a six-slide Instagram carousel featuring behind-the-scenes clips from the recording studio and the “Opalite” music video set. The candid footage highlights her collaboration with longtime hitmakers Max Martin and Shellback, who co-wrote and produced the track.
In studio clips, the trio can be seen fine-tuning melodies and celebrating with champagne flutes. The post underscores the collaborative energy behind the polished pop anthem, with Swift thanking her team and fans for propelling the song to the top.
“I’m so blown away by the love you’ve shown this song and video,” Taylor Swift wrote, expressing gratitude to her devoted fanbase, widely known as Swifties.
A Music Video Moment Fans Won’t Forget
The “Opalite” music video — featuring a nostalgic, ’90s-inspired aesthetic — also drew attention in Swift’s celebratory post. In one clip, she appears in a denim ensemble familiar to fans of the video’s quirky couple’s photo shoot sequence.
The visual stars Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson, with Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi making a cameo as the awkward photographer. The playful narrative and vibrant styling helped amplify the song’s popularity across streaming platforms and social media.
Taylor Swift jokingly referenced an inside joke from the video, telling fans she might celebrate by buying “a giant pretzel at the mall,” a nod that quickly sparked online buzz.
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Tying Rihanna, Chasing Legends
With 14 No. 1 hits, Swift now ties Rihanna for the third-most Hot 100 chart-toppers in history. Only The Beatles (20) and Mariah Carey (19) remain ahead of her on the all-time leaderboard.
Swift also holds the record for the most Hot 100 No. 1s this decade, reinforcing her sustained commercial dominance in the streaming era.
A Career Defined by Longevity and Reinvention
“Opalite” debuted strongly upon release and steadily climbed the charts, fueled by streaming numbers, radio airplay, and fan engagement. Industry analysts note that Swift’s ability to blend nostalgic pop production with emotionally resonant storytelling continues to set her apart in an evolving music landscape.
As she celebrates yet another milestone, Swift’s chart trajectory shows no signs of slowing. With a global tour rumored and continued buzz around The Life of a Showgirl, 2026 could shape up to be another defining year for the pop icon.
For now, however, it’s all about gratitude — and perhaps that celebratory giant pretzel.
