Taylor Swift Time’s Person Of The Year 2023
Key Highlights:
In March, Swift embarked on her Eras Tour, a massive stadium tour that celebrated her entire discography, from her self-titled debut album in 2006 to Evermore.
In June, Swift released her first re-recorded album, Fearless (Taylor’s Version), which was a faithful recreation of her second studio album from 2008, with six additional songs from the vault that were never released before.
In December, Swift was named Time’s Person of the Year, the first entertainer to receive this honor in the history of the magazine.
Taylor Swift is a name that resonates with millions of people around the world. She is a singer, songwriter, producer, actress, philanthropist, and activist who has been dominating the music industry and the cultural landscape for over a decade. In 2023, she achieved new heights of success, influence, and impact that earned her the title of Time’s Person of the Year, the first entertainer to receive this honor in the history of the magazine.
Swift’s journey in 2023 began with the release of her ninth studio album, Evermore, in January, which was a surprise follow-up to her critically acclaimed and commercially successful Folklore, released in July 2020. Evermore was praised for its storytelling, experimentation, and cohesion, and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, making Swift the first artist to have two consecutive albums debut with over one million copies sold in the US. Evermore also spawned three top-ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including the number-one hit Willow.
In March, Swift embarked on her Eras Tour, a massive stadium tour that celebrated her entire discography, from her self-titled debut album in 2006 to Evermore. The tour was a spectacle of production, performance, and nostalgia, featuring special guests, surprise songs, and elaborate stage designs. The tour broke several records, including the highest-grossing tour by a female artist, the highest-attended tour by a solo artist, and the most sold-out shows in a single tour. The tour also showcased Swift’s generosity and gratitude, as she donated a portion of the proceeds to various charities and gave free tickets to frontline workers, teachers, and fans in need.
In June, Swift released her first re-recorded album, Fearless (Taylor’s Version), which was a faithful recreation of her second studio album from 2008, with six additional songs from the vault that were never released before. The re-recording was a result of Swift’s ongoing dispute with her former label, Big Machine Records, and its owner, Scooter Braun, who acquired the rights to her first six albums without her consent in 2019.
Swift announced her intention to re-record her old albums in order to regain control of her music and legacy, and to prevent Braun from profiting from her work. Fearless (Taylor’s Version) was a huge success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and becoming the first re-recorded album to win a Grammy Award for Album of the Year, Swift’s fourth in her career.
In September, Swift released her second re-recorded album, Red (Taylor’s Version), which was a reimagining of her fourth studio album from 2012, with nine additional songs from the vault, including the highly anticipated All Too Well (Ten Minute Version), which revealed the full story of one of Swift’s most personal and beloved songs.
Red (Taylor’s Version) was a masterpiece of emotion, maturity, and artistry, and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, making Swift the first artist to have four albums debut with over one million copies sold in the US. Red (Taylor’s Version) also spawned four top-ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including the number-one hit All Too Well (Ten Minute Version), which became the longest song to ever top the chart.
In November, Swift starred in the Netflix musical film The Last Great American Dynasty, which was based on her song of the same name from Folklore. The film was a biopic of Rebekah Harkness, a socialite and philanthropist who owned the Rhode Island mansion that Swift later bought in 2013. The film explored the parallels between Harkness and Swift, as well as the themes of reputation, legacy, and feminism. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning Swift rave reviews for her acting and singing, as well as several nominations and awards, including an Oscar for Best Actress.
In December, Swift was named Time’s Person of the Year, the first entertainer to receive this honor in the history of the magazine. Time praised Swift for her achievements, influence, and impact in 2023, as well as for her courage, resilience, and innovation throughout her career. Time also highlighted Swift’s activism and advocacy for various causes, such as women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, voting rights, education, health, and the environment. Time described Swift as a timeless icon, a role model, and a leader who inspired and empowered millions of people around the world.
Taylor Swift’s 2023 was a year of triumph, transformation, and transcendence. She proved herself as a musical genius, a cultural phenomenon, and a global force for good. She reclaimed her music, her voice, and her power, and used them to create art, joy, and change. She was the person who defined, shaped, and moved the world in 2023. She was the person of the year.
