Taylor Swift owned 2023. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for T Swift’s most iconic and noteworthy 2023 moments.
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00:00 "Puttin' time on first only works when you're in their top five."
00:04 Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for Taylor Swift's most iconic
00:09 and noteworthy 2023 moments. "I never a single time woke up in the morning and thought you
00:16 know what I'm gonna do today? I'm gonna go innovate some stuff."
00:19 Number 10. Collaborations. 2023 was the year of collaborations when it came to Swift's new music.
00:28 "My smile is like I won a contest."
00:32 Following the release of her 2022 10th studio album, Midnights, the songstress shocked fans
00:37 by dropping yet another deluxe edition with a remix of "Karma" featuring up-and-coming rapper
00:43 Ice Spice. "Karma takes all my friends to the summit. Karma is the guy on the screen."
00:49 "Coming straight home to me." But the fun wasn't over just yet. She dropped the music video while
00:54 performing in New Jersey and even brought out Ice Spice during her performance of "Karma."
00:58 Only a couple months later, "Speak Now" Taylor's version was released,
01:02 which boasted two vault tracks featuring rock artists Hailey Williams and Fall Out Boy.
01:06 "The faith was strong, but I pushed it too far."
01:11 Swift can carry an entire discography on her own, but there's no denying that
01:17 when she releases a collaboration, we're always in for a good time.
01:20 "All I know is this could either break my heart or bring it back to life."
01:28 9. Best Music Video
01:30 Taylor Swift is always one for experimenting and evolving throughout her career.
01:35 "Did you always want to direct?"
01:36 "No. I always wanted to tell stories. I have always written stories, poetry,
01:43 songs. I think this just kind of grew out of a natural extension of that storytelling."
01:49 It was clear from the first few seconds of "All Too Well," the short film,
01:52 that fans were in for something they had never experienced before from the singer-songwriter.
01:57 The nearly 15-minute music video was directed by Swift and follows the rise,
02:01 fall, and aftermath of a young woman's first love.
02:04 "And he said it's supposed to be fun, turn 21."
02:10 Starring Sadie Sink and Dylan O'Brien, the short film is a masterpiece that was
02:14 appropriately awarded Best Music Video at the 2023 Grammys.
02:18 In recent years, Swift has stepped behind the camera nearly as often as she does in front of it,
02:23 and the massive success of her efforts is hopefully a sign of what is yet to come for
02:27 her directorial career. "That's beautiful. Now laugh."
02:30 8. Women Supporting Women
02:33 If there's one thing we can take away from 2023, it's that it was the year of girls supporting
02:38 girls. Taylor Swift made it clear where she stands in the movement by publicizing her
02:47 longtime friendship with fellow idol Beyoncé. At the premiere of Taylor Swift's The Heiress Tour,
02:52 Beyoncé made a rare red carpet appearance, and Swift even posted a cute Instagram boomerang
02:58 of the pair goofing around in the theater. A few months later, Swift would travel to
03:02 London to appear on the red carpet for the premiere of Renaissance, a film by Beyoncé.
03:06 These two pop titans turning out to be friends is everything,
03:10 and we'd love to see more of the duo in 2024. "It was just so wonderful and so incredibly classy
03:15 of her and just gracious and wonderful to let me say something. She's a great person,
03:22 and I really look up to her." 7. Chart Success
03:25 "None of this happens without you. Billboards base everything off of what you are listening to
03:31 and what you're passionate about." To say that Swift dominated the charts in 2023 is a whole
03:35 understatement. With the debut of Speak Now! Taylor's version, she officially became the
03:40 first woman to chart a new number one album for five consecutive calendar years. She also became
03:45 the act with the second most number of charting songs on the Hot 100 at 212 songs. "She wants so
03:51 many babes, but I'm still here." On top of that, Swift later became the first living artist to
04:01 chart the most albums, which is five, on the top ten at once. As if that weren't impressive enough,
04:07 she released Cruel Summer as a single and managed to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100
04:12 four years after its initial album release. It seems there isn't a record Swift can't break.
04:17 "What happened with Cruel Summer is a testament to that. It was always our favorite song in the
04:22 album, and then with nothing, with no gas on the fire, with no one on the business side doing
04:28 anything, just kids started playing it more and more and more." Number six, The Guy on the Chiefs.
04:33 Since the start of her career, Swift's romantic relationships have been scrutinized by the media.
04:38 "I mean, I think the secret's out." "Who's she here to see?" "I mean, I think the secret's
04:42 out. I think we can play matchmaker and put the rumors to rest." In 2023, her love life once again
04:51 became a topic of intrigue when it was reported that her long-term relationship with actor Joe
04:55 Alwyn had ended. Soon after, there was speculation that sparks were flying between Swift and the
05:00 1975's controversial frontman Mattie Healy. But there's no doubt that her relationship with Chiefs
05:06 tight end Travis Kelce was the talk of the year, after Kelce unsuccessfully tried to shoot his shot
05:11 with a friendship bracelet. "I wanted to give Taylor Swift one with my number on it. All right?"
05:16 "Ooooh, your number's in '87 or your phone number?" "You know which one. Um, so she didn't,
05:24 that she doesn't meet anybody and she doesn't, or at least she didn't want to meet me, so I um,
05:29 I took a personal." The pair have been spotted out and about and supporting each other's careers,
05:33 with Swift even giving her beau a special shout out in Buenos Aires.
05:36 It's clear to anyone that Swift and the guy on the Chiefs are here to stay.
05:45 "How does it feel to officially be the guy on the Chiefs?" "You mean karma?" "Karma, that's right."
05:53 "Yeah, no, I had no clue that uh, well I might have had a little bit of a clue."
05:57 Number 5. Taylor Swift - The Heiress Tour. "But after tonight when you hear these songs
06:02 out and about in the world, my dream is that you're gonna think about tonight and the memories
06:08 we made here together at SoFi Stadium. I'll be your host this evening, my name is Taylor,
06:14 thank you for traveling with us here at The Heiress Tour." The Heiress Tour has been breaking
06:17 records left, right, and center. So it came as no surprise to anyone when Swift released the
06:22 tour footage in theaters and it made major waves upon its release. The concert film grossed $96
06:28 million at the domestic box office and $128 million internationally on opening weekend,
06:34 with still a year left of tour dates ahead for the starlet.
06:37 But that's not all. In a new category, Cinematic and Box Office Achievement,
06:49 Taylor Swift - The Heiress Tour was even nominated for a Golden Globe in recognition
06:53 of its major box office debut. Whether you missed the chance to grab tickets to her show or you won
07:06 the Great War, it's safe to say that Swifties across the globe rushed to the theaters to
07:11 support the icon. Number 4. Re-recordings. It's a good year when Taylor Swift releases a re-recorded
07:18 album. But it's a great one when she releases two of them. "I think that artists deserve to own
07:23 their work." In 2023, Swift dropped her versions of "Speak Now" and "1989." "Speak Now," Taylor's
07:29 version, was the most-streamed country album in Spotify history. Meanwhile, "1989," Taylor's
07:34 version, broke the record for highest vinyl sales in a week. She even premiered the music video of
07:39 the vault track "I Can See You Live," which was packed with big names, including Taylor Lautner.
07:45 "What would you do, baby, if you only knew?"
07:52 "1989" dropped on its ninth anniversary and sold over one million copies in the first week.
07:58 "I bet these memories follow you around."
08:02 By December, Swift had five albums locked in place in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 200.
08:08 Talk about a busy schedule. "You need to hear me out, and they said speak now."
08:14 Number 3. Billionaire
08:16 "This is getting dangerous. This is about to start going in my head real fast. I mean,
08:21 you just made me feel so, so powerful."
08:26 It's official. Swift reached billionaire status when Bloomberg Wealth reported in October that
08:32 the superstar had reached a $1.1 billion net worth. Analysts examined her publicly disclosed assets,
08:39 determining that she is one of the few billionaires to make the list solely through
08:43 music sales and touring. "We estimate that Taylor nets about 35 percent of the ticket sales as
08:48 profit, about $500 million from touring over the years." Her tours, her record sales, and streaming
08:55 royalties are all earnings, but she also has assets, including her recording catalog. It comes
09:01 as little surprise to anyone who has kept tabs on Swift's recent success. "And it was thought by me."
09:08 Her music catalog alone is estimated at an impressive $400 million,
09:12 while her concert and merchandise sales have earned $370 million.
09:16 Swift admirably makes a point of donating to charitable causes, including contributing $1
09:22 million to the Tennessee Emergency Response Fund and donating to food banks along her
09:26 Aerist Tour route. If you ask us, the gift Swift gives fans through her music is utterly priceless.
09:32 "And if the world looks up and one thinks for sure, maybe I got mine but you'll all get yours."
09:39 Number 2. Person of the Year. "Are you ready for it?" In 2023, Taylor Swift became not only
09:46 our Person of the Year, but everyone's Person of the Year when Time magazine honored the
09:50 starlet with the title. "I think it's hard to resist this cat." "Karma is a cat, as you may well be aware."
09:56 "This cat is Benjamin Button, Taylor's cat, who joined us for this photo shoot,
10:01 and I think makes a remarkable cover." The accolade has a nearly 100-year history of honoring
10:05 an individual, group, object, or idea that had a major impact on events throughout the year.
10:11 "We picked a choice, someone who represents joy, someone who's bringing light to the world,
10:16 someone who's taken her own story and made it big enough for everyone." This isn't Swift's first
10:21 time being recognized as Time's Person of the Year. In 2017, Time named the Silence Breakers
10:26 as the Person of the Year, which included Swift among a group of individuals behind the #MeToo
10:31 movement. 2023 marks the first time receiving the honor on her own, and it's safe to say after a
10:37 year of unprecedented success, the accolade was definitely well-earned. "She's been there on the
10:43 hardest days of my life, and she's been there for the best days of my life." Before we unveil our
10:48 top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Most Streamed Artist. Fans streamed Taylor's
10:54 tunes so much, she dethroned Bad Bunny on Apple and Spotify.
10:58 Powerful Woman. According to Forbes, Taylor was the fifth most powerful woman in 2023.
11:19 Surprise SNL Appearance. Taylor stopped by Saturday Night Live to introduce musical
11:24 guest and friend Ice Spice. MTV Video Music Awards. Not only did Taylor win nine awards,
11:32 but she became a viral sensation to boot. "I'm not doing well pivoting from this to this.
11:38 Like, I had your dolls. I like, what, like, are you doing something? What's gonna happen now?
11:48 What are you, there's something they're gonna, they're gonna do something, and I need to know
11:52 what it is." Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel and ring the bell
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12:08 notifications. Number 1. The Heiress Tour.
12:11 "Love you. It's been a long time coming, but it's you and me, that's my whole world."
12:18 There's no talking about the year of Taylor Swift without addressing the Heiress Tour.
12:23 The stadium tour journeys through Swift's 10 musical eras in the span of three and a half hours.
12:28 "This has been the most extraordinary experience of my entire life, being on this tour,
12:33 getting to share these moments with you."
12:37 On opening night alone, the tour beat Madonna's previously held record for most-attended U.S.
12:42 concert by a female artist, with 69,000 attendees. Various cities honored the tour's arrival in
12:48 increasingly dramatic ways, including renaming Glendale "Swift City" and projecting a Junior
12:54 Jewels t-shirt on Brazil's Christ the Redeemer statue. In typical Swift fashion, the singer-songwriter
12:59 paid it back by gifting her U.S. crew a whopping $55 million in bonuses.
13:04 "Father was the one that actually presented the checks to our drivers, and he presented
13:12 handwritten letters from Taylor. It's incredible that they would take that time."
13:16 With another year of tour dates spanning globally, there's no doubt 2024 will see
13:21 even more success for the tour, and maybe even a few more surprises, too.
13:32 Which Taylor Swift moment in 2023 did you celebrate? Let us know in the comments.
13:37 "It's really felt like the adventure of a lifetime this past year. I cannot believe."
13:42 Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip from Ms. Mojo.
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13:52 And as always, thanks for watching. We'll see you next time.