Taylor Alison Swift is one of the world’s top contemporary recording artists. Her narrative songs about personal experiences have received widespread media coverage. Born in 1989 in West Reading, Pennsylvania, she began taking vocal and acting lessons at age 9, eventually winning a local talent competition with her rendition of LeAnn Rimes’ “Big Deal”. In the early 2000s, she shifted her focus to country music, inspired by Shania Twain and Faith Hill.
At the age of 14, she entered the Nashville, Tennessee-based Bluebird Cafe open mic night and won a contract with Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Records. Her first three projects were commercial successes, and she went on to sell millions of albums, launching her into the mainstream pop music landscape.
During this era, Taylor’s collaboration with Zayn Malik on “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” helped her win two Grammy Awards in 2017. Later that year, she topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 consecutive weeks with the single “Look What You Made Me Do”. In 2023, she released her 11th album, Midnights, which debuted at No. 1 and earned her the title of Artist of the Year.
Following the success of Midnights, Taylor returned to her soft, bed-like sonics with 2024’s The Tortured Poets Department. The album marked her highest-charting LP to date, spending 16 weeks on the chart. The record also earned her five Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year.
While the release of a new album typically marks a celebration for fans, Swift’s 2024 surprise-release folklore marked an introspective turn that resonated with listeners. The album was recorded in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and reunited her with longtime musical collaborators Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner of The National. The record’s lead single, “cardigan”, spent eight non-consecutive weeks at No. 1. It would be the album’s only chart-topper.
In addition to her music career, Taylor is a philanthropist and activist, using her fame to promote causes she cares about. She supports organizations including UNICEF, the American Red Cross and the Girl Scouts of America. She has also taken on social issues like LGBT rights and gender equality.
During her rise to stardom, Taylor has been involved in a few high-profile legal disputes. In 2017, she testified in a court case against David Mueller, a former radio DJ who was accused of groping her. The jury ruled in favor of Swift, awarding her $1 in damages as a symbolic gesture. In 2018, she publicly supported the women’s march in Washington, D.C., calling it an “important step” toward equality and a “moment we must never forget.” This is one of many actions that has helped her garner a large, loyal fan base. Known for her public image and style, Swift has become the face of many beauty and fashion brands, ranging from lipstick to merch. She’s also the most awarded female artist in AMA history with 23 wins. As of 2019, Taylor has over 70 million Instagram followers, making her the most-followed celebrity on the platform.
