Every December, the editors of the American magazine Time select “the person, group or concept that most shaped the headlines, for good or ill,” over the course of the year. Understandably, most of the time, they choose political figures, such as presidents, kings and popes. Other times, they select entire groups of people, such as whistleblowers, peacemakers, or grassroot protesters. Swift is one of the few exceptions and the first person to be honoured for “achievements in the arts.”

Taylor Swift’s music is both critically and commercially successful. She has been praised for her songwriting and her forays into various music genres. She has received more than 600 music awards, and she is one of the world’s best-selling musicians. Her impact on the music industry has been enormous.

Time points out that her relevance extends beyond the realm of music. She has a growing impact on popular culture and even on the economy. For example, her ongoing The Eras Tour (the highest-grossing concert tour of all time), significantly boosts the economies of the cities where she performs, supporting local tourism and the hospitality industry.

Her relevance is also associated with her philanthropy and social activism. She donates to food banks, relief funds, museums and hospitals, among others. She openly supports various causes, such as literacy programmes, LGBT rights and the Black Lives Matter movement. Incredibly, this is her second time receiving the Person of the Year title; her first was in 2017 as a Silence Breakers, a group of people connected to the MeToo movement who spoke out against sexual abuse.

(Carlo Dellonte)
(Image: opturadesign, 123rf.com)