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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Mass Boston chapter.

In the current world of music, there are many artists who stand out and who show true passion for inspiring others, but have you ever wondered why Taylor Swift stood out from the crowd and became the most influential figure of 2023?

Taylor Swift’s ability to connect with her fan base relates to who she is as an artist and to what type of message she wants to share. Her originality along with her storytelling abilities help her bond with those who can somehow relate to her personal experiences. From her early country career to her evolution into a pop singer, Swift’s growth has always been a very open topic and a priority to her songwriting, which has created such a strong connection between her and those who follow her musical success.

Swift’s growth in the music industry delivered an empowering message that started being implemented in her songs over the years. Songs like “The Man” and “Mean” serve as responses to the media’s overly critical articles that talked down on Swift’s personality, work, and art. Those self-empowerment songs were used as a way for Swift to defend herself and as a way for her to connect with those who wanted to see her succeed. Respect is something that Swift had been seeking for years, and now that is what she has achieved through her own smart ideas. The pop icon proved to the world that women can do anything; she showed her power and potential by using art in an industry where women were usually heavily criticized for small things.

Swift’s success goes way beyond her ability to turn her personal life experiences into universal songwriting, her popularity is connected to how she presents herself. The singer uses her many social media platforms as a way to advocate for social issues and equality, which is positivity seen by many of the people who support her musical career. Swift uses her influence to encourage other public figures to speak up for those in need, being why her fans feel like their voices are being heard.

After many successful projects and one of the bestselling tours of the year, Swift was named “Artist of the Year” by Spotify and Apple Music. Swift was the most streamed artist in the world both platforms. With the release of her re-recorded albums “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” and “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” she was able to achieve this record and become one of the most influential artists of 2023. After many challenges the singer was finally named “TIME’s 2023 Person of the Year,” which shows the importance of her work and influence all around the globe.

taylor swift\'s 1989 (taylors version)
Taylor Swift / Republic

Taylor Swift’s evolution over the years, through her different eras, is the main reason why she was never forgotten. Connecting to her existing fans and with new people who are also willing to learn something from her experiences is what keeps her music alive throughout the decades. Swift was known for being a woman who got put down many times by the industry, but she pushed through challenges and got to prove to all of those who doubted her that she was bigger than those who put her down.

Lorenza Zanaga

U Mass Boston '26

Lorenza Zanaga Writer Boston, MA University of Massachusetts Boston - Major: BS- Psychology I am passionate about Psychology and writing where I get to communicate with others. This specific journey has allowed me to learn so much and meet different people where I get to also dedicate my time to understanding human behavior. My interests outside of my study area are makeup, beauty, fashion, music, and art. I hope to learn more over this adventure. Feel free to contact me: ✉️: Lorenzazanaga@gmail.com