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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at FIU chapter.

Taylor Swift is this year’s recipient of the Artist of the Decade award at the American Music Awards (AMAs). 

This decade alone, Swift has won the Artist of the Year award four times and received numerous AMA awards in many categories. 

This year, Swift is nominated for 5 AMAs: Artist of the Year, Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist, Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist, Favorite Music Video [You Need To Calm Down], and Favorite Pop/Rock Album [Lover]. Swift has previously won all of these awards, except for Favorite Music Video.

Swift is an international phenomenon. She has one of the most loyal fanbases, has worked in the industry for over 13 years, and rises to the top of the charts every single time. It is no surprise that Swift has won the prestigious Artist of the Decade award this year – which was only awarded one other time in January 2000.

(Image Credit: CBS News)

“Taylor’s impact on music this decade is undeniable and her performances on the American Music Awards have been truly spectacular. We’re thrilled to honor her as our Artist of the Decade and can’t wait for her to blow everyone away with an epic, career-spanning performance unlike any other,” said Mark Bracco, Executive Vice President, dick clark productions.

From the start, Swift has made a name for herself. Her self-titled debut album was the number one country album on the US Billboard charts. This decade alone, Swift has released five albums, – Speak Now, Red, 1989, Reputation, and Lover – all of which ranked number one on the Billboard charts as well. 

Swift’s Reputation Tour grossed over $266 million for a 38-date show- the highest grossing US tour ever. The tour beforehand, the 1989 Tour, previously held this record for Swift, collecting $217 million with US dates alone.

(Image Credit: Entertainment Weekly)

Taylor Swift is a genius. Aside from music, she puts her fans first, a vital piece to the musical success puzzle. She hosts secret listening parties (often at her own home) whenever she is about to debut a new album and invites the most exclusive guest list: her loyal fans. She invites her fans backstage for free meet-and-greets. She comments online to them, she poses for pictures with them, and she is constantly thanking them. The amount of love and support Swift receives from her fans is unmatchable; after 13 years, they are the most loyal fans ever.

 

 

Swift has learned how to handle public and humiliating criticism ever since she was a young teenager. She speaks out about important issues such as being a registered voter and sexism in the music industry. In a profile interview with CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Tracy Smith, Swift said, “There’s a different vocabulary for men and women in the music industry right? A man does something, it’s strategic. A woman does the same thing, it’s calculated. A man is allowed to react. A woman can only overreact.”

 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I’m writing this post about the upcoming midterm elections on November 6th, in which I’ll be voting in the state of Tennessee. In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now. I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country. I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent. I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love. Running for Senate in the state of Tennessee is a woman named Marsha Blackburn. As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives. Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values. For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway. So many intelligent, thoughtful, self-possessed people have turned 18 in the past two years and now have the right and privilege to make their vote count. But first you need to register, which is quick and easy to do. October 9th is the LAST DAY to register to vote in the state of TN. Go to vote.org and you can find all the info. Happy Voting! ???

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on

 

If you are a fan of hers or not, I think it is no surprise Taylor Swift won Artist of the Decade- the woman has put in the work. Her music success is historic, alongside with her class and public opinion on important issues and her dedication to her fanbase. 


The AMAs are on November 24, 2019 at 8 pm on ABC.

Emma is a sophomore at Florida International University studying Broadcast Media. She is from Miami and loves entertainment (music, tv shows, movies) and hopes to become an entertainment reporter after college. She is also involved on campus in her Panhellenic Council organization.
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