Has Taylor Swift's phenomenal year come to an end? Not quite yet.
In a noteworthy tribute, Time magazine placed her name in its prestigious spotlight, naming her the Person of the Year. This accolade arrived on the heels of Spotify's recent revelation that Swift had become the most-played artist on its platform.
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Swift now strides into what appears to be her "Person of the Year" era.
Time magazine's announcement on Wednesday solidified Swift as the face of 2023, bestowing upon her this honour among a distinguished roster of contenders, including Barbie, King Charles III, and Vladimir Putin. Notably, last year's recipient was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Time's editor-in-chief, Sam Jacobs, lauded Swift's ability to transcend borders and illuminate the world. He remarked, "Taylor Swift found a way to transcend borders and be a source of light. Swift is the rare person who is both the writer and hero of her own story."
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Swift emerged triumphant from a pool of nine finalists, which encompassed personalities like Barbie, King Charles III, and OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman.
"While her popularity has soared over the years, it is this year that Swift, at 33, achieved an unprecedented fusion: merging art and commerce to unleash a historically powerful energy," Time commented on her selection.
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Her remarkable year included the resounding success of the Eras Tour and its accompanying concert film, the launch of her reimagined '1989' album, and the spotlight on her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. She even became a subject of study in college courses.
Highlighting her extraordinary achievements:
- The Eras tour film shattered records as the highest-grossing concert movie ever, raking in $249 million (£197 million) globally.
- Swift made history as the first living artist with five albums simultaneously in the US Top 10: '1989,' 'Midnights,' 'Folklore,' 'Lover,' and 'Speak Now.'
- Breaking Barbara Streisand's record, Swift clinched the most number-one albums by a woman in US chart history, totalling 13.
- She secured her place in history as the first songwriter with seven Grammy nominations for Song of the Year, surpassing Sir Paul McCartney and Lionel Richie.
- Matching Take That's UK touring record, Swift sold out Wembley Stadium for an impressive eight nights.
- Fueled by her tour, Swift claimed the title of the most-streamed female artist in the annals of Spotify and Apple Music.
Recently, Bloomberg declared Swift a billionaire, estimating her net worth at $1.1 billion (£907 million). Only three other musicians - Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z - have attained this financial milestone.
However, what sets Swift apart is that she reached billionaire status solely through her musical endeavours, unlike her competitors whose fortunes stem from diversified business ventures in fashion, beauty products, and hi-fi equipment.
Key Insights from Swift's TIME Interview:
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Swift's Intense Preparation for the "Eras" Tour: Swift shared her rigorous six-month preparation routine, involving treadmill rehearsals and extensive dance training. The toll on her body was significant, leaving her voice strained and her feet sore from dancing in heels. Her off days were spent primarily in bed, considering it a "dream scenario."
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Friendship and Comparisons with Beyoncé: Swift lauded Beyoncé as a warm, funny, and groundbreaking artist who challenged industry norms. However, she expressed vexation over media comparisons between their tours, highlighting the tendency to pit female artists against each other despite their refusal to engage in such discussions.
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Relationship with Travis Kelce: Swift revealed that her relationship with Travis Kelce started after he mentioned her on his podcast. They had a period of privacy before publicly attending events together, emphasizing their support for each other in their respective careers.
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Rerecording "Reputation" and Ownership of Her Music: Swift's quest to rerecord her albums from her former label continued with successful releases of re-recorded albums. She teased the forthcoming rerecording of "Reputation," promising exciting never-before-released tracks from the vault.
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Life Lessons: At 33, Swift emphasized the impermanence of things, emphasizing gratitude for her career and the lesson that continually creating art is her response to both good and bad experiences. She also highlighted the futility of actively trying to defeat enemies, believing that negativity tends to dissipate naturally.
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Swift's insights ranged from her tour preparations to personal growth, showcasing her dedication to her craft and a mature perspective on her career and relationships.
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