Taylor Swift, the four-time Grammy winner and biggest selling albums artist in any genre for the past 12 months, has been chosen to receive the coveted Woman of the Year Award at the 2011 Billboard Women in Music event on Dec. 2 in New York City.
The 21-year-old singer-songwriter is the youngest artist to ever receive the honor, and it comes on the heels of earning several 2011 Billboard Music Awards, among them Top Country Album for the five-time platinum selling "Speak Now."
Swift has spent the past year on the Speak Now World Tour in support of her third album, which debuted last October atop the Billboard 200, selling over a million copies in its first week. All 14 tracks on the country-pop juggernaut were composed by Swift, and she made Hot 100 history by charting 11 songs off the album in a single week.
The Pennsylvania native is used to breaking chart records and currently holds another Hot 100 record for most top 10 debuts, with seven. Her self-titled debut, released in 2006, holds the honor of longest-running album on the Billboard 200 since 2000.
She followed that up in 2008 with "Fearless," a critically acclaimed set that established her as a skilled songwriter and a procurer of hits, including "Love Story," "You Belong With Me" and "White Horse." Swift's "Fearless" is the longest-running No. 1 album by a female country artist in Billboard 200 history. Not surprisingly, the 6-times platinum "Fearless" is the most awarded album in country music history and her overall worldwide sales now exceed 20 million albums and 40 million song downloads. Again, she's only 21.
"Taylor has shown the power of good songwriting with music that has transcended genres, and we're thrilled to recognize all of her successes over the past year by honoring her with the Billboard Woman of the Year Award," says Bill Werde, Billboard's Editorial Director. "At the young age of 21, Taylor has already made a major impact on music and has been an incredible role model for aspiring singers/songwriters and young women everywhere. I look forward to watching her career continue to flourish in the years to come."
She is currently nominated for six 2011 CMA Awards including Entertainer of the Year, and is readying the November release of the CD/DVD and CD/Blu-ray sets of her Speak Now World Tour.
Swift is a dedicated and prolific philanthropist as well, and has lent her time and efforts to raise money for causes ranging from clean water to literacy to disaster relief. She personally donated $1 million to to charities in the past year alone.
Billboard's annual Women in Music Event, now in its sixth year, celebrates the most powerful and talented women in the music business, coinciding with the publication of Billboard's Women in Music Power Players list. This year's event will be taking place on Friday, Dec. 2 at Capitale in New York City. Last year's honor went to Black Eyed Peas singer, Fergie.
TAYLOR's FASHION EVOLUTION
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In 2006, Taylor Swift released her debut single, "Tim McGraw", reaching #6 on Billboard magazine's Hot Country Songs chart. At the 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, Swift wears an informal halter dress with copper cowboy boots. Looking young and unrefined, Swift enters into the limelight as a country darling.
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At the 2006 CMA awards, Swift's initial capricious look turns vampy. Matched with her porcelain skin and ringlets, the Elvira gown and gloves are out of place.
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At the CMT awards, Swift shifts from a red-carpet vamp to an aquatic princess cloaked in too much satin. The seafoam gown is better for her coloring than black but equally as disturbing on the carpet.
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This layered teal dress is sweetly reflective of Swift's age. Mixing a flouncy dress with cowboy boots seems genre-centric instead of fashion-centric.
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Apparently Swift is going to Disney-prom looking like a bouquet of violets at the 2008 Grammy awards.
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For having such an elegant figure, Swift goes wrong in this baggy maternity number. The simplicity of the fabric matched with the color fortunately works for her.
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Looking more grown-up and conscious of her clothing, Swift arrives at the 2008 Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala wearing a golden chain-link gradient gown.
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This maxi dress epitomizes Taylor's more contemporary style-- blingy yet simple yet elegant. Combined with up-swept hair, this is a mature look for Swift.
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Taylor's choice of clothes for MTV's TRL is an unfortunate hodge-podge of metallics and socks. The heel/sock look is occasionally acceptable but certainly not with jeans and a sequined tank-top.
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This peacock pallet skirt by French Connection works well with the black turtleneck. The tights clash with the energetic pattern on the skirt, but overall this is a youthful and appropriate winter look for Swift.
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On stage at the 2008 CMA awards, Swift combines the satin princess with the violet bouquet for her performance. This dress turns Swift into an aging opera star.
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At the 2008 CMA awards, Swift dazzles in a sequin and crystal Kaufman Franco gown, with Christian Louboutin shoes and jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz.
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Wearing an understated Trina Turk black and white dress, Swift tries out some fierce red lips at the 2008 CNN Heroes ceremony.
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Revisiting the metallics, Swift arrives at the 2008 American Music Awards in Collette Dinnigan, shoes by Christian Louboutin and jewelry by Neil Lane. This cocktail dress is a fun departure from her usual longer gowns, but she might want to take a break from the blingy sequins.
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Opting for another Collette Dinnigan dress at the Clive Davis party in 2009, Swift introduces a fresh take on the sparkly mini. This cartographic piece has a classy almond cutout elegantly accentuated by her hair.
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And again with the bling. Revisting Kaufman Franco for another refractive number, Swift is elegantly wrapped in Haley's comet at the 2009 Brit Awards.
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Swift looks beautiful in red. This geometric gown combined with red lips and white clutch is a perfect choice. Sadly, the backdrop for the outfit clashes with the look.
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Looking adorable for Spring, Swift pairs a light sweater with a pleated skirt in New York city.
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Bringing her bling to the stage, Swift wears a beaded flapper dress with tall black boots during the 17th Annual Country Thunder USA music festival in 2009.
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At the epic 2009 VMA awards (think Kanye) Swift opts once again for a Kaufman Franco sparkling gown. A constellation meets a toga in this one-shouldered number.
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Swift's day-wear is equally as fitting as her red carpet choices. Wearing a cherry-red knitted cap with a black and blue jeans and tee outfit, works perfectly for a fall stroll.
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Taylor chooses a Reem Acra gown for the 2009 CMA Awards. Although reminiscent of Kaufman Franco, the dress is a more refined fit for Swift.
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Swift revisits red in this one-shouldered Valentino cocktail dress. The interplay of hair vs. strap is a nice juxtaposition.
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At the 2010 Grammy Awards, Swift wears a mature off-the-shoulder Kaufman Franco dress with an interesting neckline and peep-hole. The dress fits fantastically, but might be a tad old for the ingenue.
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Red, being a perfect backdrop for Miss Swift, accentuates the black J.Mendel dress with asymmetric draping. It's refreshing to see her not swathed in a sea of sequins.
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This maroon John Galiano bustier dress is a fun break from Swift's usual embellished gowns. Swift straightens her iconic locks for the 2010 CMT Music Awards.
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During the 2010 VMA Awards, Swift strips down during her sympathetic song for Kanye West. Taking off jewels and shoes, Swift wears a cream, gauzy dress during her controversial performance.
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Apparently the bustier was a winner for Swift, who revisits the look in an emerald Miu Miu dress at the Los Angeles premiere of "Easy A".
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Taylor takes her love of layered skirts and tights to a gothy level during Milan Fashion Week. Mixing a pirate blouse with knee-high combat boots is more dangerous than Taylor's past looks.
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Wearing Roberto Cavalli at the designer's 40th Anniversary party, Swift plays with a sexier look than we have seen in the past. A tighter and shorter LBD works well with bright red lips and strappy heels.
Source: Billboard | by Marc Schneider, N.Y. | Getty Images
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