The American pop star becomes Time’s "first Person of the Year to be recognized for success in the arts".
"This is the proudest and happiest I’ve ever felt, and the most creatively fulfilled and free I’ve ever been." - Taylor Swift.
As they say, it's Taylor Swift's world, and we are just living in it. Well, we are at this moment when she stands tall as the most influential figure in the realm of arts and entertainment, with an unbelievable impact on people's lives.
The pop star undeniably owned 2023, and after achieving numerous remarkable feats throughout the year, she has now earned the prestigious title of Time magazine's "Person of the Year". She becomes Time’s "first Person of the Year to be recognized for success in the arts", beating out heavyweights like Barbie and King Charles III among others.
(Credit: TIME)
Notably, Time magazine awards the title to "the individual, group, or concept that has had the most influence on the world throughout the previous 12 months.”
It is worth noting that this is Swift's second time on Time's Person of the Year cover, following her appearance back in 2017 among “silence breakers”.
Well, considering the unyielding impact the pop star has had on the world, the question should be, " Why Not Taylor Swift?"
Swift has been at the top of her game this year. Her ongoing Eras Tour is taking the world by storm, having grossed over $2.2 billion in North American ticket sales alone. Her concert film, 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour', earned more than $90 million at the box office in the United States and more than $30 million internationally over its opening weekend alone. Also, she became Spotify's most-streamed artist this year, while her '1989' became Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day this year. Moreover, she achieved billionaire status thanks to the incredible revenue generated from her Eras tour. On the other hand, several universities across the world have launched courses on her songs.
(Credit: taylorswift)
As the magazine wrote, "While her (Swift's) popularity has grown across the decades, this is the year that Swift, 33, achieved a kind of nuclear fusion: shooting art and commerce together to release an energy of historic force."
"No one else on the planet today can move so many people so well. Achieving this feat is something we often chalk up to the alignments of planets and fates, but giving too much credit to the stars ignores her skill and her power.”
Time’s Sam Jacobs wrote, “In a divided world, where too many institutions are failing, Taylor Swift found a way to transcend borders and be a source of light. No one else on the planet today can move so many people so well...This year, in particular, Swift achieved a kind of nuclear fusion: shooting art and commerce together to release an energy of historic force.”
First, let's have a peek into the background of Time's "Person of the Year" title. The tradition ("Man of the Year" back then) began in the late 20s in an effort to "remedy the editorial embarrassment earlier that year of not having aviator Charles Lindbergh on its cover following his historic transatlantic flight". Soon, it became one of the most prestigious titles in the world.
(Credit: taylorswift)
The selection process involves a meticulous consideration of the person or persons (sometimes even objects) with the most influence on the world over the previous twelve months. The editorial group first assesses candidates based on the criteria and evaluates their roles in bringing transformative change to society. The magazine also conducts an online reader poll where people vote for their choices.
After rounds of assessment, Time finally chooses the Person of the Year.
Time magazine's "Person of the Year" does not necessarily mean a hero. For instance, Adolf Hitler won the title in 1938, and the cover line was, "From the unholy organist, a hymn of hate".
The selection process is extremely secretive. The announcement is made public only before the issue goes to the printers.
The readers' choice poll is conducted only to get an insight into the common people's opinions. It does not affect the final selection. In fact, last year, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, became the first person in history to both win the online poll and the title.
