Taylor Swift Named Time Magazine's Person of the Year
In a year marked by record-breaking achievements, Taylor Swift has been awarded the title of Time Magazine's Person of the Year.
The 33-year-old pop icon, whose Eras Tour shattered box office records and prompted a US Senate inquiry into Ticketmaster's sales practices, expressed her joy, saying, "This is the proudest and happiest I've ever felt."
The Person of the Year award wasn’t the only big moment for Swift this year as the Eras Tour, featuring a staggering 180-minute performance of a 45-song set each night, propelled Swift to new heights. The demand for tickets was so intense that it crashed Ticketmaster's website, leading to a hearing on its business practices.
Swift's concerts even generated seismic activity in Seattle, akin to a 2.3 magnitude earthquake. Reflecting on the tour's impact, Swift shared, "It feels like the breakthrough moment of my career, happening at 33. And for the first time in my life, I was mentally tough enough to take what comes with that."
Swift's cultural impact extends to the realm of streaming, where she was named the most-streamed female artist in the history of Spotify and Apple Music. Last month, Bloomberg declared her a billionaire, a feat achieved solely through her music, setting her apart from other musicians with ventures in fashion, beauty, and hi-fi equipment.
Her dominance in album sales is evident with three releases, including a re-recording of her decade-old album "1989," claiming the top spots in the year's sales charts.
The Time editor-in-chief, Sam Jacobs, highlighted Swift's unique position, stating she is "the rare person who is both the writer and hero of her own story." This distinction, coupled with her ability to transcend borders and be a "source of light," solidified her selection for Person of the Year.
As Swift takes a break before launching the Asian and Australian legs of her Eras Tour in February, her impact resonates globally. Harvard University plans to offer a class titled 'Taylor Swift and Her World,' showcasing her profound influence on society.
Swift's recognition as Time's Person of the Year for the second time solidifies her status as an artist who has not only shaped the music industry but left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape.
