The Evolution of Taylor Swift From Country Star to Pop Icon
All it took for Taylor Swift to go from small-town teen to a Grammy Award-winning singer was a guitar, some cowboy boots, and an incredible talent for writing relatable songs. Between her record-breaking albums and stadium-selling tours, she’s one of the biggest names in the industry for a reason.
But her love life and friendships have made just as much of a mark on her fans—after all, most inspired the lyrics behind her biggest hits. Whether you’re a die-hard Swiftie or a casual fan looking to learn something new, here’s a very detailed breakdown of Taylor’s meteoric rise to fame.
1989: A Young Taylor Swift
Taylor was born on December 13, 1989, in Pennsylvania. After living on her family’s Christmas tree farm for most of her childhood, her family relocated to just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, when Taylor was 13 years old.
2004: A Record Deal
At 14 years old, Taylor was offered a record deal. The aspiring country singer signed with Big Machine Records in 2004.
2006: Her Big Debut
In 2006, the singer released her self-тιтled debut album, Taylor Swift. It featured “Tim McGraw,” which was her first top 40 hit.
2008: Becoming ‘Fearless’
In 2008, Taylor released her second studio album to an eager audience. Fearless was even more successful than her first, and was her first No. 1 album.
2013: A Pop Star Feud
In 2013, Taylor got into one of her first public celebrity feuds. The alleged disagreement between her and Katy Perry took place in 2013, but fans weren’t aware of it until the following year. When speaking about another star, Taylor told Rolling Stone: “She basically tried to sabotage an entire arena tour. She tried to hire a bunch of people out from under me.” But don’t worry: They’ve since made up!
2014: From Country Queen to Pop Princess
In 2014, Taylor released 1989. The record marked the singer’s first full pop album, and sold more than 10 million copies. With her new era came a new haircut—the singer debuted a straight, blonde bob.
