52 photos that show Taylor Swift's rise from a Nashville country singer to the world's most famous musician

Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 01, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.Kevin Mazur/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights ManagementTaylor Swift released her 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," on Friday.In the 19 years since she released her debut album, Swift has become a billionaire.Here's a photographic journey through her career, her many eras, and her blockbuster tours.In the 19 years since Taylor Swift released her first album, she's been a country star, a pop star, and a voice of a generation.She's a four-time album of the year winner, a billionaire, and the first person with a tour grossing $1 billion. She also rocked the music industry when she decided to re-record her first six albums so she'd own the rights to her own music — and then once again, when she announced she'd bought her masters back after a yearslong effort.Plus, her 12th album, "The Life of a Showgirl," is set for a massive debut on the charts after its release on Friday.But she wasn't always this juggernaut. Here's a look at her impressive career, from her 2006 debut to her 2025 superstardom.Taylor Swift released her self-titled debut album in 2006, when she was just 16.Taylor Swift sings the National Anthem as the Detroit Lions host the Miami Dolphins in a Thanksgiving Day game Nov. 23, 2006 in Detroit.Al Messerschmidt/Getty ImagesBy 2007, she was already playing to large crowds. Her aesthetic consisted of flowy dresses, an acoustic guitar, curly hair, and cowboy boots.Taylor Swift performs in Kansas City on May 11, 2007Jason Squires/WireImage/Getty ImagesHer guitar has been a constant companion from 2007 to 2025.Musician Taylor Swift performs onstage during the first ever Academy Of Country Music New Artists' Show Party for a Cause, benefiting the ACM Charitable Fund held at the MGM Grand Ballroom, MGM Grand Conference Center on May 14, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesSwift's debut single was "Tim McGraw," named, of course, after the country star. In May 2007, she performed the song to him and his wife, Faith Hill, at the Academy of Country Music Awards.Country music artists Faith Hill, Taylor Swift and Tim McGraw in the audience during the 42nd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15, 2007 in Las Vegas, NevadaKevin Winter/ACMA/Getty Images for ACMAAn EP, “Beautiful Eyes,” was released in July 2008, just two months after she performed at Stagecoach Music Festival — essentially, country music's Coachella.Musician Taylor Swift performs during day 2 of Stagecoach, California's Country Music Festival held at the Empire Polo Field on May 3, 2008 in Indio, California.John Shearer/WireImage/Getty ImagesEven as her star was rising, Swift made time to take selfies with fans … on digital cameras!Taylor Swift greets fans before her performance during the 18th annual Chicago Country Music Festival at Soldier Field Parkland in Chicago, Illinois on October 12, 2008.Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesBy August 2009, her second album, "Fearless," had been released, and she was headlining Madison Square Garden.Taylor Swift performs at Madison Square Garden on August 27, 2009 in New York City.Theo Wargo/WireImage for New York Post/Getty ImagesA turning point in her career came during the MTV Video Music Awards in September 2009, when Kanye West interrupted her acceptance speech to declare Beyoncé deserved the award.Kanye West (L) jumps onstage after Taylor Swift (C) won the "Best Female Video" award during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on September 13, 2009 in New York City.Christopher Polk/Getty ImagesSource: Business InsiderIn December, she performed with one of her then-musical idols, John Mayer. The two would go on to briefly date, inspiring her song "Dear John."John Mayer and Taylor Swift performs onstage during Z100's Jingle Ball 2009 presented by H&M at Madison Square Garden on December 11, 2009 in New York CityKevin Mazur/WireImage for Clear Channel Radio New York/Getty ImagesAt the 2010 Grammys, Swift performed with Stevie Nicks — 14 years later, Swift referenced their connection in the song "Clara Bow."Musicians Taylor Swift (L) and Stevie Nicks perform onstage during the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on January 31, 2010 in Los Angeles,Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesSource: Business InsiderLater that night, the "You Belong With Me" singer was gobsmacked to win album of the year. She'd later write about this night in "Long Live."John Legend presents to Taylor Swift the award for the Best Album of the Year during the 52nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California on January 31, 2010ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty ImagesHer third album, "Speak Now," was released in October 2010. The world tour began in February 2011.Taylor Swift performs during her "Speak Now" tour at Prudential Center on July 24, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey.Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty ImagesIt sold over 1 million copies in its first week, the highest single-week sales for a female country artist. She also became the first female artist to have 11 songs on the Hot 100 simultaneously.Taylor Swift played to a sold-out crowd of over 51,000 fans saturday night when she took her "Speak Now" World Tour to Lincoln Financial Field in her home state of PennsylvaniaKevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty ImagesSource: Los Angeles TimesShe continued to collaborate with musical legends. She brought James Taylor out at her Madison Square Garden show in November 2011.James Taylor and Taylor Swift perform onstage during the "Speak Now World Tour" at Madison Square Garden on November 22, 2011 in New York City.Larry Busacca/Getty ImagesIn 2012, she made her first move away from country music to more straightforward pop. Cowboy boots were nowhere to be found.Singer Taylor Swift performs during the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 22, 2012 in Las Vegas, NevadaChristopher Polk/Getty Images for Clear ChannelThe debut single from her fourth album, "Red," called "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," became her first No. 1 on the Hot 100.Taylor Swift performs during Z100's Jingle Ball 2012 presented by Aeropostale at Madison Square Garden on December 7, 2012 in New York CityD Dipasupil/FilmMagic/Getty ImagesAs her musical style changed, so did her style. She traded flowing dresses and cowboy boots for form-fitting dresses and high heels; gone was the curly hair, traded for sleek, straight tresses.Taylor Swift attends the NRJ Music Awards 2013 at Palais des Festivals on January 26, 2013 in Cannes, France.Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesThe Red Tour grossed $150.2 million, making it the highest-grossing country tour ever when it ended in 2014.Taylor Swift wraps the North American portion of her RED tour playing to a crowd of more than 14,000 fans on the final night of three sold-out hometown shows at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on September 21, 2013.Larry Busacca/TAS/Getty Images for TASSource: BillboardShe became the first female solo artist in 20 years to perform a stadium tour in Australia. The last female artist to do it was Madonna in 1993.Seven-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift kicked off the Australian leg of her RED tour at Allianz Stadium, playing to a sold-out crowd of more than 40,000 fans, on December 4, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. Swift is the first solo female artist in twenty years to undertake a national stadium concert tour of Australia, the last being Madonna in 1993.Mark Metcalfe/TAS/Getty Images for TASSource: The Sydney Morning HeraldIn August 2014, she left country behind with the song "Shake It Off," a pure pop song.Christopher Polk/MTV1415/Getty Images for MTV"1989," Swift's fifth album, remains a high point of her career. It elevated Swift to pop-icon status and spawned three No. 1 hits and two more top-10 singles.Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift performs onstage during The 1989 World Tour Live In Los Angeles at Staples Center on August 21, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.Christopher Polk/Getty Images for TASIt was also the era of her "squad." People are still captivated by who is in Swift’s inner circle.Singer/songwriter Taylor Swift performs onstage with Hailee Steinfeld, Gigi Hadid, Lily Aldridge and Lena Dunham during The 1989 World Tour Live at MetLife Stadium on July 10, 2015 in East Rutherford, New JerseLarry Busacca/LP5/Getty Images for TASSource: Business InsiderTo top off the "1989" era, she won her second album of the year Grammy in February 2016.Singer Taylor Swift accepts the award for the Album of the Year onstage during the 58th Annual Grammy music Awards in Los Angeles February 15, 2016.ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty ImagesHer bleached blonde era — known as "Bleachella," since she debuted it at Coachella in 2016 — showed that people were obsessed with her every move.Taylor Swift attends the "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York CityMike Coppola/Getty Images for People.comBut by July 2016, Swift had vanished. Her feud with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West had resurfaced, with many on social media turning against her.A mural by Melbourne graffiti artist Lushsux is seen in Hosier Lane on July 20, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. The mural was painted in response to the current social media spat between Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian.Robert Cianflone/Getty ImagesSource: Business InsiderIn 2017, she cleared her social media and told us: "There will be no explanation, just reputation." Her sixth album, "Reputation," was released in November.Musical Guest Taylor Swift performs "Ready For It" in Studio 8H on Saturday, November 11, 2017Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images"Reputation" brought a new dark and gritty aesthetic. But the old Taylor, who loves interacting with her fans, was still in there.Taylor Swift greets fans during her reputation Stadium Tour at Croke Park on June 16, 2018 in Dublin, IrelandGareth Cattermole/TAS18/Getty Images for TASThe "Reputation" Stadium Tour was her first all-stadium tour. Upon its completion in November 2018, it grossed $345.7 million, making it the then-highest-grossing North American tour ever.Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift reputation Stadium Tour at MetLife Stadium on July 22, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.Kevin Mazur/TAS18/Getty Images for TASSource: ForbesIn a savvy move, she reclaimed the snake imagery that had been used against her by critics.Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift reputation Stadium Tour at Gillette Stadium on July 26, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.Kevin Mazur/TAS18/Getty Images for TASBut after her two years of all-black edginess, 2019 brought a complete aesthetic shift.2019 BBMA at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada -- Pictured: (l-r) Taylor Swift, Brendon Urie, May 01, 2019Christopher Polk/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ImageHer seventh album, "Lover," was released in August 2019 and was full of love songs, pastel rainbows, and bubblegum pop.Taylor Swift performs onstage at 2019 iHeartRadio Wango Tango presented by The JUVÉDERM® Collection of Dermal Fillers at Dignity Health Sports Park on June 01, 2019 in Carson, CaliforniaRich Fury/Getty Images for iHeartMedia"Lover" was her sixth consecutive No. 1 album and the best-selling album of 2019. But "Lover Fest" was canceled due to the pandemic.Taylor Swift performs during the TIME 100 Gala 2019 Dinner at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 23, 2019KambourisDimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TIMESource: Business InsiderIn July 2020, Swift surprised fans with her eighth album, "Folklore." It would go on to win album of the year — she was the first woman ever to win three times.Taylor Swift, winner of Album of the Year for 'Folklore', poses in the media room during the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards at Los Angeles Convention Center on March 14, 2021 in Los Angeles, CaliforniaKevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording AcademySource: Business InsiderAfter a seven-year hiatus, she returned to her country roots. She performed the song "Betty" at the 2020 Academy of Country Music Awards.In this screengrab, Taylor Swift performs onstage during the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry on September 16, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. The ACM Awards airs on September 16, 2020ACMA2020/Getty Images for ACMSource: Business InsiderIn November 2021, Swift released the 10-minute version of her song "All Too Well," originally from 2012. She also directed an accompanying short film starring Dylan O'Brien and Sadie Sink.Taylor Swift attends the "All Too Well" premiere at AMC Lincoln Square on November 12, 2021 in New YorkANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty ImagesSource: Business Insider"Red (Taylor’s Version)," her re-recorded version of the 2012 album "Red" was a huge hit. "All Too Well (10-Minute Version)" became the longest No. 1 song in the chart's history.Taylor Swift accepts the Favorite Pop Album award for 'Red (Taylor's Version)' onstage during the 2022 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 20, 2022Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for dcpBut just re-recording wasn't enough for Swift. In August 2022, she announced her 10th album, "Midnights," which became yet another hit.Taylor Swift accepts the Video of the Year award for "All Too Well" (10-minute Taylor's Version) onstage at the 2022 MTV VMAs at Prudential Center on August 28, 2022 in Newark, New JerseyArturo Holmes/Getty ImagesSource: Business InsiderThe year 2023 was the year of Swift, as she embarked on her globe-spanning Eras Tour. The setlist paid homage to her career — cowboy boots were back!Taylor Swift performs onstage for the opening night of "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at State Farm Stadium on March 17, 2023 in Swift City, ERAzona (Glendale, Arizona).Kevin Winter/Getty Images for TAS Rights ManagementSince "Lover" never got a tour of its own, it kicked off the show. Four years after its release, Swifties got "Cruel Summer" to the top of the Hot 100.Taylor Swift performs at the Taylor Swift "The Eras Tour" held at Allegiant Stadium on March 24, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Christopher Polk/Penske Media/Getty ImagesDuring her "Speak Now" set, she brought back her koi-fish guitar and the purple dresses.Taylor Swift performs onstage for night one of Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on July 07, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.John Shearer/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights ManagementDuring the "Red" set, she interacted with some of her youngest fans.A young fan exchanges friendship bracelets with Taylor Swift as she performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Allianz Parque on November 24, 2023 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.TAS2023/Getty ImagesIn the "1989" portion, we got taken back in time to when Swift loved a two-piece set.Taylor Swift performs onstage during night two of Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on July 08, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.Fernando Leon/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights ManagementThe "Reputation" era might be long gone, but the snakes were back for this portion of the show.Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Allianz Parque on November 24, 2023Buda Mendes/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights ManagementShe also paid homage to the woodsy, cottage-core vibes of "Folklore" and its sister album, "Evermore."Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at State Farm Stadium on March 18, 2023 in Swift City, ERAzona (Glendale, Arizona)Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for TAS Rights ManagementSwift ended the night with the "Midnights" set, which spawned two of her biggest hits, "Karma" and "Anti-Hero."Taylor Swift performs onstage for night one of Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on July 07, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouriohn Shearer/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights ManagementThe Eras Tour was a global phenomenon. It was the first tour to ever surpass $1 billion in revenue.Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos on November 17, 2023Buda Mendes/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights ManagementSource: Business InsiderWhen "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour," a concert film, was released in theaters, it quickly became the highest-grossing concert film ever.Taylor Swift attends the "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" Concert Movie World Premiere at AMC The Grove 14 on October 11, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty ImagesFans used the movie to show off their finest friendship bracelets.A Taylor Swift fan, friendship bracelet detail, attends the opening night theatrical release of "Taylor Swift : The Eras Tour" at AMC Marina Marketplace 6 on October 13, 2023 in Marina del Rey, California.Amanda Edwards/Getty ImagesIn February 2024, Swift became the first artist to win album of the year four times with "Midnights." That night, she announced her 11th album, "The Tortured Poets Department."Taylor Swift accepts the Album Of The Year award for "Midnights" onstage during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The Recording AcademySource: Business InsiderShe incorporated "TTPD" songs into the second leg of the Eras Tour in May 2024.Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at La Defense on May 09, 2024 in Paris, France.Kevin Mazur/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights ManagementShe even had a special guest during a London show: Her now-fiancé, Travis Kelce, popped up onstage in June.Taylor Swift is joined on stage by Travis Kelce (R), during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Wembley Stadium on June 23, 2024 in London, EnglandGareth Cattermole/TAS24/Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for TAS Rights ManagementSource: Business InsiderIn 19 years, Swift has released 12 albums, four re-records, won 14 Grammys, had 12 No. 1 hits, become a billionaire, and broken countless records. She's showing no sign of slowing down.Taylor Swift takes a bow while performing at the Eras Tour.Emma McIntyre/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights ManagementRead the original article on Business Insider

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