TIME has selected Taylor Swift as Person of the Year, marking Swift as the fourth solo Person of the Year born in the past half-century to be named to the top spot.
Swift, 33, has a litany of records and awards spanning her 17-year career. Among the many, she has more No. 1 albums than any other woman in history. Her Eras tour has broken stadium and attendance records, and her billionaire status elevated her financial contributions to record-breaking numbers. Across the country, streets have been named after her, cities have honored her, and universities have even begun offering classes revolving around the singer.
“For building a world of her own that made a place for so many, for spinning her story into a global legend, for bringing joy to a society desperately in need of it, Taylor Swift is TIME’s 2023 Person of the Year,” the magazine said.
Her influence is wide-reaching, according to TIME’s report. Her recent romance with NFL star Travis Kelce has drawn millions of her followers to become football fans. When she encouraged people to vote, thousands registered online.
But her star power also includes her ability to connect with fans.
“She committed to validating the dreams, feelings, and experiences of people, especially women, who felt overlooked and regularly underestimated,” TIME said. “They know she respects her audience and trusts them with her story. She held up a mirror to her own life, helping people better see themselves. She embraced her past, foibles and all, and in doing so encouraged others to do the same.”
In an exclusive interview with TIME, Swift said she was proud to earn the award.
"This is the proudest and happiest I’ve ever felt, and the most creatively fulfilled and free I’ve ever been," Swift told Time, which has given the award to almost every U.S. president since its launch in 1927.
In true Taylor Swift fashion, Swift also posed with her cat, Benjamin Button, for the TIME photoshoot.
Time magazine named Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy "Person of the Year" in 2022. Past winners include Tesla (TSLA.O) CEO Elon Musk, climate activist Great Thunberg, former President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Photo Courtesy: 'Taylor Swift is TIME’s 2023 Person of the Year'/TIME via YouTube/12/7/23@11am
Video Courtesy: TODAY via YouTube
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
