… Ready for it? Taylor Swift first stepped into the spotlight at just 16 years old. Nearly two decades later, the singer-songwriter is still making killer music — including her latest albums Folklore and Evermore — and empowering fans everywhere.
Over the years, the “Out of the Woods” artist has never been afraid to change up her look or sound. Additionally, Taylor doesn’t shy away from speaking her mind. While accepting the award for Album of the Year during the 2019 American Music Awards, the Miss Americana star addressed her rise to fame — both the good and bad.
“This industry is really weird, [those] who do what we do feel like — I am sure some of you feel like this, too, with your lives — you feel like your stock is either up or down, they either like you or don’t,” the Grammy winner explained. “But people that hang in there for you are the ones you will never forget.”
Taylor went on to acknowledge how “lucky” she is before shouting out her loyal fans. “This year for me has been a lot, a lot of good, a lot of really complicated … and so on behalf of my family and me, thank you so much for being there and for caring.”
Because Taylor has been famous for so long, she’s inevitably had to deal with her fair share of drama, most notably her now-infamous feud with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West.
“There have been times where I needed to take years off because I just felt exhausted, or I felt like, really low or really bad,” the Pennsylvania native said during an April 2018 appearance on the Zach Sang Show.
Controversy aside, Taylor has nine studio albums under her belt. Moreover, she and her boyfriend of nearly three years, Joe Alwyn, are still going strong! In fact, the couple worked together on two Folklore songs titled “Betty” and “Exile.” When the album was first released in July 2020, however, Joe was still going under the pseudonym William Bowery.
“Joe plays piano beautifully and he’s always just playing and making things up and kind of creating things. And ‘Exile’ was crazy because Joe had written that entire piano part,” Taylor recalled in the Disney+ documentary Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions. “He was singing the Bon Iver part, the ‘I can see you standing honey, with his arms around your body, laughing but the joke’s not funny at all.’ He was just singing it. And I was entranced and asked if we could keep writing that one.”
Clearly, she’s come a long way since “Teardrops on My Guitar.”
Scroll through the gallery below to see photos of Taylor Swift’s total transformation.
2007
When we think of Taylor it’s hard not to think of her long blonde curls.
2008
Gorgeous and sweet!
2009
Taylor started having more fun with fashion and even updated her curls into something a little more glam.
2010
Taylor starred alongside ex-boyfriend Taylor Lautner in the film Valentine’s Day.
2010
Sleek and straight! Taylor went full-on modern and edgy with this look.
2011
She grew up before our eyes!
2012
Red is definitely Tay’s color.
2013
We love her dramatic eye makeup in this red carpet appearance.
2014
The chop! This shoulder-length cut looked great straightened or curled.
2015
It’s hard to decide which hairstyle is our fave.
MAY 2016
Platinum Tay! She paired her super blonde hair with a dark purple lip and it’s everything.
AUGUST 2016
She looked cute and casual while out and about.
2017
This is the year Reputation came out. Taylor’s edgier new music sent a message to all the haters who ~canceled~ her.
2018
Work, work, work. Taylor toured all of 2018 and laid low from any media events or interviews.
2019
Bring on Lover! Her music had a new vibe — and so did she!
2019
She looked absolutely stunning in this green sparkly dress during the American Music Awards.
2020
Taylor shared this gorgeous selfie in April 2020.
2021
Taylor’s 2021 Grammy’s look is iconic!
2021
Taylor looked stunning in a custom Miu Miu two-piece at the 2021 BRIT Awards in May. She also became the first woman to win the BRIT’s Global Icon Award.
2021
Taylor wrote and directed a short film for “All Too Well” after re-releasing her Red album in November.
MAY 2022
Just call her Dr. Taylor Swift! The singer receive an honorary doctorate in fine arts from NYU on May 18, and gave the commencement speech to graduates. While getting ready, Taylor noted in a TikTok video that she was “Wearing a cap and gown for the very first time,” as she was already a country music star by the time her high school graduation rolled around.
SEPTEMBER 2022
After announcing the October 21 release date of her new album Midnights, Taylor showed off a sexy new aesthetic in a shimmering gold dress at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. She even updated her long golden locks with stylish bangs.
NOVEMBER 2022
The “Midnights” artist rocked a daring look on the red carpet for the MTV Europe Music Awards in Germany.
