Taylor Swift has been honored as Time magazine’s Person of the Year, capping off her record-breaking 2023.
Swift, renowned for her stellar career spanning nearly two decades, becomes the first individual from the arts to receive this prestigious accolade, a testament to her unparalleled impact as an entertainer.
The announcement, made on December 6, recognises Swift’s exceptional accomplishments throughout the year, including a groundbreaking global tour, record-breaking streaming success, and a significant economic impact on every city she visited.
At 33 years old, Swift’s influence reached its zenith in 2023, solidifying her status as an icon in the music industry.
The Eras Tour, a monumental part of Swift’s 2023 journey, became a trailblazer in the entertainment world. It set records for ticket sales, generating approximately US$900 million in revenue and earning Swift the title of the world’s most-streamed musical artist on platforms like Spotify, where her music was streamed over 26.1 billion times between January 1 and November 29.
“This is the proudest and happiest I’ve ever felt, and the most creatively fulfilled and free I’ve ever been,” Swift shared with Time, expressing her gratitude for the recognition that has historically been bestowed upon prominent figures, including U.S. presidents, since 1927.
The Eras Tour, set to continue in 2024 across Asia, Australia, Europe, and the U.S., is poised to become the highest-grossing tour in world history, according to Billboard.
Swift’s impact extends beyond music, with her attendance at NFL games boosting fan interest and her influence reaching diverse media, including a movie and even a dedicated comic book.
Forbes Magazine also acknowledged Swift’s immense influence by ranking her as the world’s fifth most powerful woman, emphasising her billionaire status achieved in October, primarily attributed to the success of her tour.
Time’s Person of the Year accolade adds another illustrious chapter to Taylor Swift’s storied career, recognizing not only her musical prowess but also her cultural impact and transformative contributions to the entertainment industry.
