In our concluding meeting of the year, I am thrilled to share with you the individual who has inspired me the most in 2023, who also happens to be the Times Person of the Year. Let’s explore how Taylor Swift transformed me into the Swiftie that I am today.

Nearly a year ago, this 12-time Grammy award winner announced her 2023 Eras Tour, causing a historic surge in demand that crashed the Ticketmaster website. Although I was familiar with Taylor Swift at the time, I did not consider myself a fan and wasn’t involved in the frenzy. My attention was piqued when news broke about Congress holding an antitrust hearing against Ticketmaster, and Senators were incorporating Taylor Swift’s lyrics into their arguments. “Look what she made them do,” right?

Whether it was my devices eavesdropping on me or a mere coincidence, Taylor Swift seemed to be everywhere. Gradually, my YouTube recommendation was getting skewed and her songs became earworms. I would also like to note that she was Spotify’s most streamed artist of the year with 26 billion global streams. How did she achieve this feat? Many appreciate her music for its relatability, but, coming from a different culture, I found the most touching aspect to be her candor. Her lyrics read like pages from a personal diary, offering us a glimpse into her thoughts and feelings. It’s not surprising that universities now offer courses on Taylor Swift to help students deconstruct her creativity and thought process.

Taylor Swift also did face humiliation. At 19, while receiving an award, another celebrity expressed an unsolicited opinion favoring another artist’s creation over hers. Later, he incorporated that statement into his song, claiming credit for Taylor’s fame. Facing such a situation would be challenging for anyone, but Taylor responded with her “Reputation” album, which sold a million copies in the first week.

Bravery is another quality that defines Taylor’s career. She’s currently re-recording Taylor’s version of all her songs because the original records were sold against her wish. Additionally, she produced and released the Eras Tour concert film in theaters for Swifties who couldn’t attend the concerts. Taylor also utilizes her fame to advocate for women and LGBTQ rights.

In conclusion, Taylor Swift is more than a pop icon; she symbolizes resilience, authenticity, empowerment, compassion, and positive change.

— by Akila Nagamani