History of Taylor Swift in Timeline
Taylor Swift is an American singer-songwriter recognized for her significant influence on popular culture. She is celebrated for her autobiographical songwriting style and continuous artistic evolution. Notably, Swift holds the record for the highest-grossing live music artist and is the wealthiest female musician. Moreover, she ranks among the best-selling music artists globally, solidifying her prominent position in the music industry.
December 13, 1989: Taylor Swift's Birth
On December 13, 1989, Taylor Alison Swift was born. She is an American singer-songwriter known for her influence in popular culture and autobiographical songwriting.
1989: Reflecting on Failed Relationships with a Wistful Perspective in "1989"
In "1989", Taylor Swift reflected on failed relationships with a wistful perspective. Both the album and "Red" incorporated lyrics that hint at sex, reflecting her personal growth.
1989: 1989 Album's genre transformation
In 1989 Taylor Swift transitioned from country to pop music with the synth-pop album '1989'.
1989: Shift to Synth-Pop with "1989"
In 1989, Taylor Swift shifted towards a 1980s synth-pop sound, drawing inspiration from artists like Phil Collins, Annie Lennox, Peter Gabriel, and Madonna, marking a significant change in her musical direction and image.
1989: Extensive collaboration with Joseph Kahn for music videos
In 1989, Taylor Swift started her extensive collaboration with director Joseph Kahn on music videos of the "1989" and "Reputation" singles, marking her evolution of incorporating visuals to her career.
1989: Electronic Effects on Vocals in "Red" and "1989"
In 1989, Taylor Swift's vocals were processed with electronic effects such as synthesizer tweaking, looping, and multitracking on the albums "Red" and "1989", in order to accompany the pop production, marking an innovative approach to her vocal delivery.
1991: Tracking of US Music Sales by Luminate
In 1991, Luminate began tracking US music sales. As of 2023, Taylor Swift had five out of the 10 best-selling albums of the year in the US, a record since Luminate began tracking US music sales in 1991.
2003: Working with Dan Dymtrow
In 2003, Taylor Swift and her parents started working with talent manager Dan Dymtrow. With his help, Swift modeled for Abercrombie & Fitch, had an original song included on a Maybelline compilation CD, and received an artist development deal from RCA Records at age 13.
2003: Impact of Dixie Chicks Controversy
In interviews, Taylor Swift attributed her past political reluctance to the 2003 Dixie Chicks controversy, which left a lasting impact on country musicians.
November 3, 2004: Showcase Concert at Bluebird Cafe
On November 3, 2004, Taylor Swift organized a showcase concert at Bluebird Cafe, where she was noticed by Scott Borchetta, who planned to establish Big Machine Records.
2004: Signing with Sony/ATV Tree Music Publishing
In 2004, at the age of 14, Taylor Swift signed with Sony/ATV Tree Music Publishing, becoming the youngest signee in the publishing company's history.
July 2005: Finalizing Big Machine Records Contract
By July 2005, Taylor Swift finalized her recording contract with Big Machine Records and ended her working relationship with Dan Dymtrow.
2005: Signing with Big Machine Records
In 2005, Taylor Swift signed with Big Machine Records, marking the beginning of her professional music career.
June 2006: Debut Single Release: "Tim McGraw"
In June 2006, Taylor Swift released her debut single, "Tim McGraw". She and her mother spent this period sending promotional copies to country radio stations across the US.
October 24, 2006: Release of Debut Album "Taylor Swift"
On October 24, 2006, Taylor Swift released her debut album, Taylor Swift. The album peaked at number five on the US Billboard 200 chart and spent 157 weeks on the chart. With this album, Swift became the first female country music artist to write or co-write every track on a platinum-certified debut album.
2006: Debut Album Release
In 2006, Taylor Swift debuted as a country singer with her self-titled album, Taylor Swift. The album featured the single "Teardrops on My Guitar".
October 2007: Release of The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection
In October 2007, Taylor Swift released the Christmas extended play (EP) The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection.
2007: Campaign to Protect Children from Online Predators
In 2007, Taylor Swift partnered with the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police to launch a campaign to protect children from online predators.
2007: Opening for other country artists
In 2007, Taylor Swift promoted her debut album by opening for other country artists, including George Strait, Brad Paisley, and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
2007: Touring with the Same Live Band Since 2007
Since 2007, Taylor Swift has toured with the same live band, emphasizing emotional connection with her audience through storytelling and vocal delivery, while playing guitar, banjo, piano, and ukulele live.
July 2008: Release of Beautiful Eyes EP
In July 2008, Taylor Swift released the Walmart-exclusive EP Beautiful Eyes.
November 11, 2008: Release of Fearless Album in North America
On November 11, 2008, Taylor Swift's second studio album, Fearless, was released in North America.
2008: Donation to Red Cross
In 2008, Taylor Swift donated to the Red Cross to help the victims of the Iowa flood.
2008: Establishment of Taylor Swift Productions
In 2008, Taylor Swift established her production company, Taylor Swift Productions, emphasizing visuals as a key creative component of her music and career.
2008: Support for Barack Obama
In 2008, Taylor Swift expressed her support for President Barack Obama, stating that she had "never seen this country so happy about a political decision".
2008: Opening for Rascal Flatts and Dating Joe Jonas
In 2008, Taylor Swift opened for Rascal Flatts again and dated the singer Joe Jonas.
2008: Fearless Album Release
In 2008, Taylor Swift released her second studio album, Fearless. This album featured successful singles like "Love Story" and "You Belong with Me", which achieved crossover success in both country and pop radio.
2008: Praised as a "Preternaturally Skilled" Entertainer in 2008
In 2008, Taylor Swift was hailed by Sasha Frere-Jones in The New Yorker as a "preternaturally skilled" entertainer, exerting professionalism with a vibrant energy on stage.
2008: Partnership with Jakks Pacific
In 2008, Taylor Swift's albums and tours were promoted with self-designed dolls with Jakks Pacific, fragrances with Elizabeth Arden, clothes with L.E.I., and holiday cards with American Greetings.
March 2009: Release of Fearless Album Internationally
In March 2009, Taylor Swift's second studio album, Fearless, was released in markets outside North America.
October 2009: Dating Taylor Lautner
In October 2009, Taylor Swift dated her co-star Taylor Lautner while shooting the movie Valentine's Day.
2009: Donation to Red Cross and Sound Relief Concert
In 2009, Taylor Swift donated $100,000 to the Red Cross for Iowa flood victims and performed at Sydney's Sound Relief concert for bushfire and flooding relief.
2009: Awards and "Kanyegate"
In 2009, Taylor Swift won multiple awards including Artist of the Year by the American Music Awards and Billboard, and Entertainer of the Year by the Country Music Association Awards. However, her MTV Video Music Awards acceptance speech for "You Belong with Me" was interrupted by Kanye West, an incident that became known as "Kanyegate."
2009: Recognition as Top Artist
Taylor Swift was ranked at number one on Billboard's year-end top artists list in 2009, making her the first musician to achieve this in three different decades.
May 2010: Donation to Tennessee Flood Relief
In May 2010, Taylor Swift donated $500,000 to the Tennessee flood relief efforts.
October 25, 2010: Speak Now Album Release
On October 25, 2010, Taylor Swift released her third studio album, Speak Now, expanding on the country pop sound of Fearless and incorporating strong rock music influences. It debuted atop the Billboard 200 with over one million first-week copies sold.
2010: Acting Roles and "Today Was a Fairytale"
In 2010, Taylor Swift made her acting debut in the rom-com Valentine's Day and wrote "Today Was a Fairytale" for its soundtrack, which reached number one on the Canadian Hot 100. She also appeared in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and hosted Saturday Night Live.
2010: Directorial Debut with "Mine"
In 2010, Taylor Swift made her directorial debut with the music video for "Mine", co-directed with Roman White, showcasing her expanding role in the visual aspects of her music.
2010: Speak Now Album Release
In 2010, Taylor Swift released her third studio album, Speak Now, expanding her country pop sound with rock influences.
2010: Included on Time's 100 Most Influential People List
In 2010, Taylor Swift was included on Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people.
2010: Grammy Award for Fearless
In 2010, Taylor Swift's album Fearless won Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards. Additionally, "White Horse" won Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
February 2011: Start of Speak Now World Tour
In February 2011, Taylor Swift embarked on the Speak Now World Tour.
2011: Development of Concept and Treatment for "Mean"
In 2011, Taylor Swift developed the concept and treatment for the music video of "Mean", further establishing her involvement in the visual storytelling of her songs.
2011: Benefit Concert for Tornado Victims
In 2011, Taylor Swift used a dress rehearsal of her Speak Now tour as a benefit concert for tornado victims, raising more than $750,000.
2011: Partnership with Jakks Pacific
In 2011, Taylor Swift's albums and tours were promoted with self-designed dolls with Jakks Pacific, fragrances with Elizabeth Arden, clothes with L.E.I., and holiday cards with American Greetings.
2011: Donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
In 2011, as the recipient of the Academy of Country Music's Entertainer of the Year, Taylor Swift donated $25,000 to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Tennessee.
March 2012: End of Speak Now World Tour
In March 2012, Taylor Swift's Speak Now World Tour ended.
October 22, 2012: Release of "Red" Album
On October 22, 2012, Taylor Swift released her fourth studio album, Red, featuring collaborations with various producers and incorporating eclectic styles of pop and rock.
2012: Tie-ins with Various Companies
From 2012, Taylor Swift had tie-ins with Starbucks, Keds, Subway, Diet Coke, Walgreens, Walmart, and Papa John's.
2012: Stand Up to Cancer Telethon and Charity Single "Ronan"
In 2012, Taylor Swift participated in the Stand Up to Cancer telethon, performing the charity single "Ronan", which she wrote in memory of a four-year-old boy who died of neuroblastoma.
2012: Partnership with Chegg for Good
In 2012, Taylor Swift partnered with Chegg for Good to donate $10,000 to the music departments of six US colleges.
2012: Red Album Release
In 2012, Taylor Swift released her fourth studio album, Red, which featured a more pop-friendly production.
2012: Soundtrack Contributions and Acting Role
In 2012, Taylor Swift wrote and recorded "Eyes Open" and "Safe & Sound" for The Hunger Games soundtrack. She also had a voice acting role in The Lorax.
2012: Time Interview on Political Opinions
In a 2012 interview with Time, Taylor Swift stated she kept herself educated on politics but did not want to influence others with her political opinions.
March 2013: Start of The Red Tour
In March 2013, The Red Tour started. This tour became the highest-grossing country tour with a revenue of $150.2 million.
2013: Pinnacle Award by Country Music Association Awards
In 2013, Taylor Swift was honored with the Pinnacle Award by the Country Music Association Awards, making her the first woman and second artist overall to receive this recognition.
2013: "Safe & Sound" Grammy Win and Other Contributions
In 2013, Taylor Swift's "Safe & Sound" won the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media. She also wrote "Sweeter than Fiction" for One Chance and featured on B.o.B's "Both of Us" and Tim McGraw's "Highway Don't Care".
2013: Labeled the "Queen of Pop"
In 2013, author Jody Rosen labelled Taylor Swift the "Queen of Pop", citing her popularity that defied traditional boundaries.
March 2014: Relocation to New York City
In March 2014, Taylor Swift relocated from Nashville to New York City, marking a shift in her image from country to pop music.
June 2014: End of The Red Tour
In June 2014, The Red Tour concluded, becoming the highest-grossing country tour with revenue of $150.2 million.
July 2014: Op-Ed in The Wall Street Journal
In July 2014, Taylor Swift published an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, emphasizing the importance of albums as a creative medium for artists.
October 27, 2014: Release of 1989 Album
On October 27, 2014, Taylor Swift released her fifth studio album, 1989, which was rooted in 1980s synth-pop. It featured electronic arrangements of synthesizers, drum machines, and processed vocals.
2014: Tourism Ambassador for New York City
In 2014, New York City named Taylor Swift its official tourism ambassador.
2014: Role in "The Giver"
In 2014, Taylor Swift had a supporting role in the dystopian film The Giver.
2014: 1989 Album Release
In 2014, Taylor Swift released the synth-pop album 1989, marking a shift from country to pop music.
2014: American Music Awards and Billboard's Woman of the Year
In 2014, Taylor Swift was named Billboard's Woman of the Year and received the inaugural Dick Clark Award for Excellence at the American Music Awards.
2014: Global Recording Artist of the Year (2014)
In 2014, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) honored Taylor Swift as the Global Recording Artist of the Year, marking the first of her record-setting five wins.
March 2015: Relationship with Calvin Harris
In March 2015, Taylor Swift began dating DJ Calvin Harris.
June 2015: Criticism of Apple Music Royalties
In June 2015, Taylor Swift criticized Apple Music for not offering royalties to artists during its free three-month trial period and threatened to withdraw her music, leading Apple Inc. to change its policy.
2015: Tie-ins with Various Companies
In 2015, Taylor Swift had tie-ins with Starbucks, Keds, Subway, Diet Coke, Walgreens, Walmart, and Papa John's.
2015: Ranked First on DoSomething's "Gone Good" List
In 2015, Taylor Swift ranked first on DoSomething's "Gone Good" list and received awards for her dedication to helping others.
2015: Exclusive Streaming Deal with Apple Music
In 2015, Taylor Swift signed an exclusive streaming deal with Apple Music.
2015: Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time
In 2015, Taylor Swift was featured on Rolling Stone's list "The 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time" as the youngest person to be included, underscoring her songwriting prowess.
2015: Included on Time's 100 Most Influential People List
In 2015, Taylor Swift was included on Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people.
2015: Primetime Emmy Award for AMEX Unstaged
In 2015, Taylor Swift won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Interactive Program for "AMEX Unstaged: Taylor Swift Experience", where she served as executive producer, highlighting her innovative approach to fan engagement and visual media.
2015: 1989 World Tour and Awards
In 2015, Taylor Swift's 1989 World Tour became the highest-grossing tour of the year, generating $250 million. She was named Billboard's Woman of the Year, received the Dick Clark Award for Excellence, and won Video of the Year and Best Collaboration at the MTV Video Music Awards for "Bad Blood".
2015: Recognition as Top Artist
Taylor Swift was ranked at number one on Billboard's year-end top artists list in 2015, making her the first musician to achieve this in three different decades.
April 2016: Controversy over Kanye West's "Famous"
In April 2016, Kanye West released the single "Famous", which included a controversial line referencing Taylor Swift, leading to a public dispute and an online "cancel" movement against Swift.
June 2016: End of relationship with Calvin Harris
In June 2016, Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris ended their relationship.
2016: Grammy Wins for 1989
At the 58th Annual Grammy Awards in 2016, Taylor Swift's album 1989 won Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album, while "Bad Blood" won Best Music Video.
2016: Taylor Swift Award by BMI Pop Awards
At the 64th BMI Pop Awards in 2016, Taylor Swift became the first female songwriter to be honored with an award named after its recipient, the Taylor Swift Award, highlighting her impact on songwriting.
2016: Highest-Paid Musician
In 2016, Forbes listed Taylor Swift as the world's highest-paid musician.
2016: Donation to Flood Relief Efforts
In 2016, Taylor Swift donated $1 million to Louisiana flood relief efforts and $100,000 to the Dolly Parton Fire Fund.
2016: Grammy Award for "Bad Blood"
In 2016, Taylor Swift produced "Bad Blood" in collaboration with Joseph Kahn, which won Best Music Video at the Grammy Awards, showcasing her production skills and creative vision.
2016: Multi-Year Deal with AT&T
In 2016, Taylor Swift signed a multi-year deal with AT&T.
2016: Dispute with Kanye West
The 2016 dispute with Kanye West reinforced the narrative that Taylor Swift was calculating, despite her public image, and deepened their feud.
June 2017: Return to Spotify
In June 2017, Big Machine returned Taylor Swift's catalog to Spotify and other free streaming platforms.
August 2017: Countersuit Victory Against David Mueller
In August 2017, Taylor Swift won a countersuit against David Mueller, a former radio jockey who had sued her for damages from loss of employment after she reported he had sexually assaulted her in 2013.
November 10, 2017: Release of Reputation Album
On November 10, 2017, Taylor Swift released her sixth studio album, Reputation, which explored themes of fame, drama, and love amidst controversies. The album opened atop the Billboard 200.
2017: Donation to Food Banks
In 2017, Taylor Swift donated to food banks after Hurricane Harvey struck Houston.
2017: Partnership with United Parcel Service
In 2017, Taylor Swift partnered with United Parcel Service to distribute her albums.
2017: Release of "I Don't Wanna Live Forever"
In 2017, Taylor Swift recorded "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" with Zayn Malik for the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack, which became the highest-charting single from the franchise on the Billboard Hot 100.
2017: Reputation Album Release
In 2017, Taylor Swift released the hip-hop-imbued album Reputation, inspired by media scrutiny she faced.
2017: Time's Person of the Year
In 2017, Taylor Swift was one of the "Silence Breakers" spotlighted as Time's Person of the Year for speaking up about sexual assault.
2017: "Look What You Made Me Do" Topped Charts
In 2017, the Reputation's lead single, "Look What You Made Me Do", topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became Taylor Swift's first UK number-one single.
November 2018: Record Deal with Universal Music Group
In November 2018, Taylor Swift signed a record deal with Universal Music Group, which promoted her albums under Republic Records' imprint. The contract ensured she maintained ownership of her masters.
2018: Donation to RAINN
In 2018, Taylor Swift donated to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
2018: Awards and Reputation Stadium Tour
In 2018, Taylor Swift featured on Sugarland's "Babe", surpassed Whitney Houston as the most-awarded female musician at the American Music Awards, and embarked on the Reputation Stadium Tour, which grossed $345.7 million worldwide.
2018: Signing with Republic Records
In 2018, Taylor Swift shifted to Republic Records, marking a new chapter in her recording career.
2018: Public Endorsement of Democratic Politicians
Since 2018, Taylor Swift has been public about her political views and endorsed two Democratic politicians for the US midterm election.
August 23, 2019: Release of Lover Album
On August 23, 2019, Taylor Swift released her seventh studio album, Lover, which topped charts in numerous countries and became the global best-selling album by a solo artist of the year.
2019: Billboard Ranking
In 2019, Billboard ranked Taylor Swift at number eight on its list of "Greatest of All Time Artists".
2019: Highest-Paid Musician
In 2019, Forbes listed Taylor Swift as the world's highest-paid musician.
2019: Support for LGBTQ Rights
In 2019, Taylor Swift called for the passing of the Equality Act and performed during WorldPride NYC 2019 at the Stonewall Inn.
2019: Appearance in Cats Movie
In 2019, Taylor Swift played Bombalurina in the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats, for which she co-wrote and recorded the original song "Beautiful Ghosts".
2019: Lover Album Release
In 2019, Taylor Swift released the eclectic pop album Lover.
2019: Deals with Capital One and Stella McCartney
In 2019, Taylor Swift signed a multi-year deal with Capital One and launched a clothing line with Stella McCartney.
2019: Awards and Dispute with Scooter Braun
In 2019, Taylor Swift was honored as Artist of the Decade by the American Music Awards and Woman of the Decade by Billboard. She also won Video of the Year for "You Need to Calm Down" at the MTV Video Music Awards and became embroiled in a public dispute with Scooter Braun over the purchase of her masters.
2019: Included on Time's 100 Most Influential People List
In 2019, Taylor Swift was included on Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people.
2019: Global Recording Artist of the Year (2019)
In 2019, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) honored Taylor Swift as the Global Recording Artist of the Year, further solidifying her status as a global music icon.
February 2020: Global Publishing Deal with Universal Music Publishing Group
In February 2020, Taylor Swift signed a global publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group after her contract with Sony/ATV expired.
November 2020: Beginning Re-Recording of Back Catalog
In November 2020, Taylor Swift began re-recording her back catalog to control the licensing of her songs for commercial use.
2020: Donation to Tennessee Tornado Relief
In 2020, Taylor Swift donated $1 million for Tennessee tornado relief.
2020: Release of "The Man"
In 2020, Taylor Swift released "The Man", one of the singles from the album Lover.
2020: Exploration of Indie Folk and Rock with Folklore and Evermore
In 2020, Taylor Swift released the albums "Folklore" and "Evermore", exploring indie folk and rock styles characterized by subtle instrumentation and orchestrations, marking a departure from her previous pop sound and exploring more 'alternative' music.
2020: Voter Registration and Endorsement of Biden-Harris Ticket
In 2020, Taylor Swift urged her fans to check their voter registration, resulting in 65,000 people registering within one day, and she endorsed the Democratic ticket of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
2020: Folklore and Evermore Album Releases
In 2020, Taylor Swift ventured into indie folk with the release of the albums Folklore and Evermore.
2020: Artist of the Year at American Music Awards and Miss Americana premiere
In 2020, Taylor Swift won Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards. The documentary Miss Americana, chronicling parts of Swift's life and career, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
2021: Global Icon Award by the Brit Awards
In 2021, Taylor Swift became the first woman to receive the Global Icon Award by the Brit Awards, further solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the music industry.
2021: Donation to RAINN
In 2021, Taylor Swift donated to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
2021: Collaborations on Songs
In 2021, Taylor Swift featured on Big Red Machine's "Renegade" and "Birch" and Haim's "Gasoline".
2021: Release of Re-recorded Albums
In 2021, Taylor Swift released two re-recorded albums: Fearless (Taylor's Version) in April and Red (Taylor's Version) in November, both of which topped the Billboard 200.
2021: Highest-Paid Female Musician
In 2021, Taylor Swift was the highest-paid female musician.
2021: Grammy win for Album of the Year
In 2021, Taylor Swift won Album of the Year for Folklore at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, becoming the first woman to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year three times.
May 18, 2022: Honorary Doctorate and Commencement Speech
On May 18, 2022, Taylor Swift received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from New York University and served as its commencement speaker.
October 21, 2022: Release of Midnights Album
On October 21, 2022, Taylor Swift released her tenth studio album, Midnights, which topped the Billboard 200 and made her the first artist to occupy the entire top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 the same week.
2022: Global Ambassador for Record Store Day
In 2022, Taylor Swift became the first global ambassador for Record Store Day.
2022: Features on songs and roles on Films
In 2022, Taylor Swift featured on Ed Sheeran's "The Joker and the Queen". Also, she wrote and recorded "Carolina" for the soundtrack of the mystery film Where the Crawdads Sing, and had a supporting role in the period comedy film Amsterdam.
2022: Midnights Album Release
In 2022, Taylor Swift returned to synth-pop with the release of the album Midnights.
2022: Global Recording Artist of the Year (2022)
In 2022, Taylor Swift was named the Global Recording Artist of the Year by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) for the third time, continuing her streak of global success.
2022: Songwriter-Artist of the Decade by NSAI
In 2022, Taylor Swift was named the Songwriter-Artist of the Decade by the Nashville Songwriters Association International, recognizing her exceptional contributions to songwriting over the past decade.
2022: Highest-Paid Female Musician
In 2022, Taylor Swift was the highest-paid female musician.
2022: Awards for All Too Well and Artist of the Year
In 2022, Taylor Swift won Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards and Video of the Year for All Too Well: The Short Film at the MTV Video Music Awards.
2022: Criticism of Supreme Court Abortion Rights Decision
In 2022, Taylor Swift, a pro-choice feminist, criticized the US Supreme Court's decision to end federal abortion rights.
March 2023: Embarkation on The Eras Tour
In March 2023, Taylor Swift embarked on The Eras Tour, a tribute to her entire discography that spanned five continents.
June 2023: Invitation to the Academy of Motion Pictures
In June 2023, Taylor Swift was invited to join the Academy of Motion Pictures, recognizing her contributions and influence in the film industry.
October 2023: Achieved Billionaire Status
In October 2023, both Forbes and Bloomberg L.P. reported that Taylor Swift achieved billionaire status, recognized as the first billionaire "primarily based on her songs and performances".
December 2023: Cease and Desist Letter to Jack Sweeney
In December 2023, Taylor Swift's lawyers sent a cease and desist letter to American programmer Jack Sweeney over tracking her private jet, citing stalking and safety risks.
2023: Intimacy of Songcraft in 2023
In 2023, Sam Lansky wrote in Time's Person of the Year piece that the intimacy of Taylor Swift's songcraft is front and center onstage, highlighting her vulnerable, triumphant, playful, and sad personas.
2023: Time's Person of the Year for Achievement in the Arts
In 2023, Taylor Swift became the first person to be recognized as Time's Person of the Year for "achievement in the arts" and the first woman to appear on a Person of the Year cover more than once.
2023: Donation to Tennessee Tornado Relief
In 2023, Taylor Swift donated $1 million for Tennessee tornado relief.
2023: Re-recorded Albums, Records, and Collaborations
In 2023, Taylor Swift released re-recorded albums: Speak Now (Taylor's Version) in July and 1989 (Taylor's Version) in October. She also featured on several songs, including The National's "The Alcott".
2023: Time Person of the Year
In 2023, Taylor Swift was named Time Person of the Year, making her the first individual from the arts to receive this honor.
2023: Global Recording Artist of the Year (2023)
In 2023, Taylor Swift was named the Global Recording Artist of the Year by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) for the fourth time, marking another year of her global dominance in the music industry.
2023: Awards, Ranking and Bestselling Albums
In 2023, Taylor Swift won the MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year with "Anti-Hero" and became the first musician to rank number one on Billboard's year-end top artists list in three different decades (2009, 2015 and 2023) .
2023: The Eras Tour and Concert Film
In 2023, Taylor Swift's Eras Tour became the first concert tour to gross $1 billion, and its associated film, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour became the highest-grossing concert film in history.
2023: Inspiration for "The Tortured Poets Department"
In 2023, Taylor Swift's heightened fame brought by the Eras Tour and her intensely publicized love life inspired "The Tortured Poets Department", which explores heartbreak and other themes to extremes.
2023: Resurgence of "Cruel Summer"
In 2023, Taylor Swift's song "Cruel Summer" became a resurgent success, reaching number one.
2023: Positive Reception of Vocals after Folklore
In 2023, critics noted that Taylor Swift's singing became richer with stronger clarity and tone since the release of "Folklore"; Rolling Stone ranked her 102nd on their "200 Greatest Singers of All Time" list, highlighting her breathy timbre and versatile delivery.
January 2024: AI-Generated Pornographic Images Controversy
In January 2024, AI-generated pornographic images depicting Taylor Swift were posted on Twitter and disseminated across other social media platforms, sparking widespread criticism and demands for legal reforms to address the issue of non-consensual deepfakes.
February 2024: Donation to Family of Shooting Victim
In February 2024, Taylor Swift donated $100,000 to the family of a woman who tragically died in a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl parade.
February 2024: Most-Streamed Artist on Spotify
As of February 2024, Taylor Swift became the most-streamed artist on Spotify, achieving a major milestone in the digital music era.
February 2024: Sold One of Her Private Jets
In February 2024, it was reported that Taylor Swift had sold one of her two private jets.
April 19, 2024: Release of "The Tortured Poets Department"
On April 19, 2024, Taylor Swift released her album "The Tortured Poets Department", which was then expanded the same day as a double album called "The Anthology". It quickly broke streaming records, reaching one billion streams on Spotify within a week, and topped charts globally, including in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the UK.
July 2024: Stabbing Attack at Swift-Themed Workshop
In July 2024, a stabbing attack occurred at a Taylor Swift-themed workshop in Southport, England, resulting in the deaths of three children and triggering civil unrest in the UK.
December 2024: Donation to Operation Breakthrough
In December 2024, Taylor Swift donated $250,000 to Operation Breakthrough a week before Christmas. The funds were allocated to workforce development, childcare, and early learning programs.
December 2024: Highest-Grossing Touring Act of All Time
As of December 2024, Taylor Swift became the highest-grossing touring act of all time, accumulating revenue at $3.12 billion, marking a significant achievement in live entertainment.
December 2024: End of The Eras Tour
Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour is scheduled to conclude in December 2024.
2024: Grammy Award for Album of the Year
At the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in 2024, Midnights won Album of the Year, making Taylor Swift the first artist to win the award four times.
2024: Endorsement of Harris-Walz Ticket
For the 2024 election, Taylor Swift once again endorsed the Democratic ticket of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
2024: Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century
In 2024, Billboard ranked Taylor Swift at number two on its list of "Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century".
2024: Topped Billboard's Power 100 Ranking
In 2024, Taylor Swift became the first solo artist to top Billboard's annual Power 100 ranking of the top music industry executives.
2024: Donation for Relief Efforts
In 2024, Taylor Swift donated $5 million toward the relief efforts after Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
2024: The Tortured Poets Department Album Release
In 2024, Taylor Swift released the double album The Tortured Poets Department.
2024: Lasting Popularity and Cultural Impact
In a 2024 article for The New York Times, Joe Coscarelli noted that Taylor Swift's lasting popularity has sparked debates comparing her to artists like Drake, Beyoncé, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Elton John, and Madonna.
May 2025: Album Sales and Chart Dominance
As of May 2025, Taylor Swift had sold 116.7 million album units in the US, with 54 million being pure sales, making her the solo artist with the most weeks at number one on the Billboard 200. She is also the female artist with the most number-one albums on the Billboard 200 and most number-one debuts on the Billboard Hot 100.
May 30, 2025: Purchase of Masters Finalized
On May 30, 2025, Taylor Swift finalized the purchase of the masters for her first six original studio albums from Shamrock Holdings, which had acquired them from Braun in 2020, marking a significant moment in her career and control over her discography.
June 2025: Richest Female Musician
As of June 2025, Forbes estimated Taylor Swift's net worth at $1.6 billion, making her the richest female musician in the world.
August 2025: Engagement to Travis Kelce & Album Announcement
In August 2025, Taylor Swift became engaged to football player Travis Kelce and announced her upcoming album, "The Life of a Showgirl", on his podcast "New Heights", blending her personal life with her professional endeavors.
August 2025: Trademark Registrations
As of August 2025, Taylor Swift, through her management company, holds over 400 trademark registrations worldwide, including her name "Taylor Swift" and her fanbase name "Swifties".
October 3, 2025: Release of "The Life of a Showgirl"
On October 3, 2025, Taylor Swift released her album, "The Life of a Showgirl", accompanied by the promotional film "Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl", which topped the US box office and grossed over $50 million worldwide, marking a major success.
October 2025: Directorial Role in 14 Music Videos
As of October 2025, Taylor Swift had directed 14 of her music videos, demonstrating her increasing control and creative input over her visual productions.
2025: The Life of a Showgirl Album Release
In 2025, Taylor Swift infused soft rock in The Life of a Showgirl album.
2025: Possible release of "The Life of a Showgirl"
In 2025, Taylor Swift may release her twelveth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, inspired by The Eras Tour.
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