Time Magazine has been naming the Person of the Year since 1928, originally calling it Man of the Year before switching to a gender-neutral term. Historically they have picked various people ranging from politicians like Donald Trump to tech inventors like Elon Musk. The chosen person is usually picked as an embodiment of the past year and is not considered an award. This title has evolved from the Great Man Theory of History which believed that individuals have the power to influence and transform society. Taylor Swift has been the most influential person of the past year and is well deserving of the 2023 title Person of the Year. 

Her most recent album 1989 (Taylor’s Version) has broken countless records like most single-day streams for an artist. This record was held previously by herself with her album Midnights (2022). Similarly, Swift released her version of Speak Now which broke her own record of most spots occupied at one time by a female musician on the Streaming Songs chart. Her Eras Tour has also broken many records like the first tour to break the billion-dollar milestone. 

Aside from her influential music and broken records, throughout the course of her career, Swift has also shown her influence in social movements like the Me Too Movement. She was previously put on the cover of Time magazine for Person of the Year with a group of other women who launched the Me Too Movement. She has reached the lives of millions of people and her work being displayed constantly on the radio, streaming platforms, and social media has helped gain her popularity and continued her influence. Her willingness to come forward about her personal life and her constant involvement with her fans has made her more personable. Her strong influence has made her one of the most memorable people of the past year and this is why she is deserving of the title Person of the Year.