Tay Tay, T-Swift, T-Swizzle, T-Sweezy—whatever you call her, from her debut album to her wildly successful Eras Tour of 2023, Taylor Swift has been a pop-culture sensation for nearly two decades. Still, this country and pop diva is more than just a global superstar. As both a celebrity and an individual with unique stories to share, there’s so much to discover about her beyond her chart-topping hits. Whether you’re a seasoned Swiftie or a casual listener, here’s 10 Taylor Swift facts to offer a deeper dive into the life of this multi-talented musical legend.
10 Facts About Taylor Swift
1. She grew up on a Christmas tree farm. (source)
Before she was dazzling fans on stage, Taylor spent her childhood on a Christmas tree farm in Reading, Pennsylvania. Surrounded by 11-acres of evergreens, her festive upbringing helped shape her creativity and whimsical imagination, which later translated into her music.
2. Her grandma was a professional opera singer. (source)
Talent clearly runs in the family, as Taylor’s grandmother, Marjorie Finlay, was a professional opera singer. Taylor has spoken fondly of how her grandmother’s love for music inspired her own passion for performing. In fact, she honored her grandma’s legacy with a touching tribute in the song “Marjorie” on her Evermore album. Turns out music is quite literally in her DNA!
3. She plays multiple instruments. (source)
If you thought Taylor was only a guitar girl, think again! She’s a master of multiple instruments, including the guitar, piano, ukulele, banjo, even the harmonica. Her ability to effortlessly switch between these instruments during live performances adds another dimension to her concerts.
4. Myspace was the first social media platform she used to develop her fan base. (source)
T-Swift is well known for her Tweets these days, but she’s always been savvy with social media. Back in the early 2000s, when most country artists were sticking to traditional media, Taylor was ahead of the curve by using Myspace to connect with fans. This unique move helped her build a loyal following even before her debut album dropped. These days, the only way to see her old Myspace is through the Wayback Machine, but these screenshots still showcase the same old playful Taylor we’ve come to know and love.
5. Her star power isn’t limited to just music. (source)
In addition to her musical career, Taylor has stepped into the world of acting with several notable roles. She appeared in dramas like Amsterdam, Valentine’s Day and The Giver, and took on the role of Bombalurina in the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical Cats. She also voiced the character of Audrey in the animated film The Lorax, proving that her talents go beyond the stage and studio.
6. She’s broken multiple records. (source)
Taylor Swift is no stranger to smashing records. From being the first woman to win Album of the Year at the Grammys three times to holding the record for most American Music Awards (40!), her career is filled with groundbreaking achievements. Recently, her Eras Tour has shattered records for the highest-grossing tour in history.
7. She wrote one of her first singles for a high school talent competition. (source)
Even as a teenager, Taylor was already on her way to becoming a star. She wrote “Our Song” for a high school talent competition, a song that later became a major hit from her debut album. It’s hard to imagine that a tune written for a small event by a high school freshman would become a chart-topping sensation!
8. Her parents named her after James Taylor. (source)
Taylor’s name was inspired by another legendary musician—James Taylor. Her parents were huge fans of his music and decided to pass that musical legacy onto their daughter. Taylor’s mother also liked the name because she believed a gender-neutral name would give her an advance if she chose to pursue a business later in life. The two singers have since met and even performed together multiple times.
9. She once got into two car accidents in one day. (source)
Though she’s well known to travel by private jet or tour bus these days, Taylor seems to have bad luck with cars. In a truly bizarre (and somewhat unlucky) moment, Taylor got into two car accidents on the same day. She revealed this mishap in an interview, proving that even the most poised pop stars have their off days!
10. Her belly button was once a hot commodity. (source)
Yes, you read that right—there was once widespread speculation about Taylor’s belly button! The star was notorious for wearing crop tops while still managing to keep her belly button concealed, leading to quite the buzz in the media. For years, she kept it hidden from the public, leading to fan theories about why. Though she occasionally shows it off in shows these days, when asked about the strange choice, Swift said, “When you start showing your belly button then you’re really committing to the midriff thing… I only partially commit to the midriff thing – you’re only seeing lower rib cage. I don’t want people to know if I have one or not. I want that to be a mystery.”
Featured image photo credit: Toglenn, 2019. Originally found on Wikimedia.org. Image was resized and cropped. Creative Commons 4.0.
