Taylor Swift and Sugarland's "Babe" Video Is a Heartbreaking Examination of an Affair
Taylor Swift and Sugarland's "Babe" video tells the story of a 1960s affair, with Taylor playing the other woman.

The full video for Taylor Swift and Sugarland's collaboration "Babe," is here and it will wreck you like the collapsing marriage it focuses on.
On Wednesday, the artists released a trailer for the video that hinted at the storyline—a "perfect" married couple in the 1960s whose marriage is torn apart by an office affair.
"Babe" delivered on the promise of its trailer and then some. In the full video, we see Jennifer Nettles, as the blonde wife, break down (and rise back up) upon the realization that her husband (played by Brandon Routh) is the cheating on her with a woman at work (played by a red-haired Swift). By the end of the video, Swift's cold-hearted Other Woman character is in the same place as Nettles, realizing that she can't trust the man she's been seeing.
Watch the full video below:
Swift wrote the song, which she has said was written during her Red era. She also, apparently, wrote the treatment for the gripping video. Sugarland's Kristian Bush and Nettles talked about Swift's hands-on involvement in developing the video at the CMT Awards on Wednesday.
"She actually reached out to us and said, 'I’ve got a great idea for the video,' and she wrote the treatment," Nettles told People.
"And we looked at it, and said, 'Oh my gosh, this is awesome,'" Bush added.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
And, if the '60s-inspired video gives you major Mad Men vibes, that's understandable (and intentional). According to People, it was shot on the Mad Men set in Los Angeles.
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
King Charles Plans to Surprise Queen Camilla With Special Gift
The monarch shared his not-so-secret plans with a celebrity at the Royal Variety Performance.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince William "Appalled" at Way Kate Middleton Was Treated
"The princess is being encouraged to ignore critics."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
King Charles Forced to Quit Hobby After "Too Many Injuries"
"I can't do much now," he explained.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Beyoncé Wins Album of the Year for the First Time Ever at the 2025 Grammys
The superstar—who has the most wins in the award show's history—took home the biggest prize of the night for 'Cowboy Carter.'
By Sadie Bell Published
-
Chappell Roan Wins Best New Artist at the 2025 Grammys—And Called Upon Record Labels to Enact Artist Healthcare Reform
The Midwest Princess made a powerful speech while accepting the award for Best New Artist.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Beyoncé Wins Best Country Album at the 2025 Grammys
The superstar is the first Black woman to ever win the honor.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Doechii Wins Best Rap Album at the Grammys and Dedicates the Award to Black Women: "You're Exactly Who You Need to Be"
"The Swamp Princess" is the third female rapper to take home the gramophone.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Everything to Know About the 2025 Grammys, From How to Watch the Awards Show to the Performers
All of your favorite pop divas are set to take the stage.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
RAYE Shares What Music Shaped Her—And What's on Her Playlist Now
The Best New Artist-nominated singer discusses Britney Spears, Charli xcx, and Nina Simone.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
How Failure Felt Like "Business School" for Ashley Tisdale—And Helped Propel Her Brand Forward
The actress, singer, and Frenshe founder speaks to editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike for the 'Marie Claire' podcast "Nice Talk."
By Sadie Bell Published
-
Let Ethel Cain's Defiance Guide You Through 2025
In the wake of Donald Trump's re-election, the indie singer's outspokenness has become a balm for fans.
By Sadie Bell Published