After launching a record-shattering global tour and becoming the world’s most-streamed musical artist in 2023, Taylor Swift notched another accolade on Wednesday when Time magazine named the mega pop star its “Person of the Year.” Capping her remarkable year, Time hailed the singer as a symbol of female strength and an advocate for those with no voice.
The Person of the Year award has been handed out since 1927. Traditionally, the Person selected is someone who has a significant impact on world events—think politicians or titans of industry. But this is the first Time that Time has honored an entertainer. The publication’s Person of the Year honor is awarded to the individual who “for better or worse… has had the biggest influence on the world in the past year,” according to the Time website. Swift beat out short-listed finalists like Barbie, King Charles III, and Greta Thunberg. The magazine noted that the singer was inescapable, from her sold-out Eras Tour and concert movie to her reimagined ’1989’ album to her closely watched relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
In addition to the new release, the Grammy winner’s reimagined 1989 was the most-streamed album of the year, according to Spotify. The platform said it had been streamed more than 26.1 billion times during the year. But even when excluding those numbers, the album’s popularity speaks to just how big of an effect Swift has had on the music landscape.
For those in the know, the album’s reimagining was a way for Swift to reclaim her narrative amid the public spectacle of the Kanye West/Kim Kardashian feud. That moment was a defining one for Swift and helped launch her Reputation era. The album’s sonic experimentation, lyrical Easter eggs, and ominous lyrical structure signaled that she was ready to reclaim her role as the queen of pop.
The magazine wrote that the move to give Swift this honor is a nod to her incredible talent as an entertainer. It’s not uncommon for musicians to negotiate with promoters and venues on ticket sales, but given the magnitude of her sold-out concerts this year, Swift is likely making a lot more than just her guaranteed rate. “Her stratospheric profile makes her a special case, which is why she’s the first person ever from the arts to be named our Person of the Year,” the magazine wrote.
