Another one of my favorite artists is Taylor Swift. She made some of my favorite songs that are classics from my childhood like her entire Fearless album, and with time her music matured as well. While, Taylor Swift’s music remains iconic, I also think she is such an inspirational person who has made such a positive impact. I definitely appreciate another side of her that extends beyond her music as well. In many ways, her words and actions outside of her musical career will leave a lasting impact. Although her songs touch on themes such as L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ visibility and equality, Taylor Swift is more than just a musician. She was honored with Billboard’s inaugural Woman of the Decade award on December 12th, 2019 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, which was presented to her by Jameela Jamil. She consistently speaks out against industry shortcomings and the ways in which women are unfairly judged. Something else that sets her apart from other artists, particularly male ones, is her willingness to address gender inequalities. Although some male artists also attempt to raise up female voices, they may not have experienced firsthand the sexism prevalent in the industry, and therefore may not feel as compelled to advocate for gender equality.
Taylor Swift not only advocates against inequality and prejudice present in the music industry, but she also takes immense pride in her music and refuses to compromise her artistic vision. Her influence extends beyond music, and she has inspired numerous women and girls to do things from pick-up guitars to speaking out about political issues. Speaking out about political beliefs is not encouraged for artists in the music industry. Record labels often look down upon taking a political stance given that it could alienate fans or result in social media backlash. Despite this, Taylor Swift is unafraid to speak out about unjust political policies or candidates she does not agree with. Although many artists shy away from discussing politics for fear of being judged or attacked, she aims to inform her fans about voting and political views.
It is admirable that Taylor Swift is genuine and candid in her lyrics, and even though there are those who criticize her, her music has had a profound impact on many lives and serves as a great source of inspiration. Swift has a unique ability to connect with her fans and possesses a relatability that is not often found in artists.
