Taylor Swift’s dominance, characterized by her record-breaking world tour and her skillful avoidance of controversial topics during interviews, positioned her as a top contender for Time Magazine’s coveted Person of the Year accolade.
This recognition is not merely an honor but a monumental imprint on history, etching the name and image of the pop sensation onto the landscape of time. It’s also a statement, a juxtaposition suggesting that in 2023, Swift holds a prominence akin to what Vladimir Putin held in 2007. But before delving into Swift’s significance, let’s embark on a historical voyage of Time’s “Person of the Year” tradition.
The inception of Time’s Person of the Year can be traced back to 1927 when the publication, evolving rapidly in stature and influence, inadvertently overlooked featuring Charles Lindbergh on its cover. Lindbergh had achieved the remarkable feat of completing the first nonstop transatlantic flight earlier that year. In an effort to rectify this omission, Time issued a special edition “Man of the Year” dedicated to Lindbergh, inaugurating an annual tradition. Subsequently, each year’s issue spotlighted an individual who significantly influenced headlines, whether for better or worse, during the previous 12 months. Notably, this means that Taylor Swift now shares an accolade with Joseph Stalin, having been honored twice.
The history of this title reflects a spectrum of impact and notoriety. From honoring Mahatma Gandhi in 1930 to Hitler in 1938, from Jeff Bezos in 1999 to Rudy Giuliani in 2001, the selection has been diverse, sometimes conceptual, as seen with “The Peacemakers” in 1993, “The Computer” in 1982, and the seemingly cosmic resolution of “The Endangered Earth” in 1988. Additionally, the designation of “Person of the Year” bestowed upon three out of the last four popes might appear somewhat exclusionary to Benedict XVI.
The crux of the matter is that anyone can be Time’s Person of the Year, including ordinary individuals. The criteria seem to encompass performing something exceptional, committing a significant transgression, or merely embodying an era, as exemplified in 1966 when Time hailed the entire Baby Boomer generation for just being themselves. It’s a reminder that seemingly anyone can achieve this recognition, as long as their actions or mere existence have made a discernible mark on the world stage.
