Kaylah Walton
Taylor Swift encountered an unforeseen challenge at the 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs) on Monday evening, leaving the occasion empty-handed despite being nominated for six prestigious awards.
However, merely a day afterward, she was honored in a different way, one that underscores her profound musical influence.
The artist, who has maintained a low profile since February’s Super Bowl with her partner, Travis Kelce, tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, was a strong contender at the AMAs.
Her nominations were for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year with The Tortured Poets Department, and Favorite Touring Artist. The AMAs stage has been a familiar one for Swift, who has the most wins in the event’s history.
Yet, 2025 marks only the second occasion since 2007 that Swift was nominated without securing any awards. The Las Vegas ceremony saw a significant number of major celebrities absent, including the star herself.
Disappointed fans took to social media, speculating that the unexpected losses might be due to a lack of voting action from her vast fan community, many perhaps presuming her victories were guaranteed.
Billie Eilish was the standout winner of the evening, claiming victories in all seven categories in which she was nominated, including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year—awards for which Swift was also a contender.
Chart achievements solidify Swift’s country heritage
Despite the AMA disappointment, Swift received an affirmation of her career just a day later. Billboard announced its ranking of the Top Country Artists of the 21st Century, placing Swift at third overall, making her the highest-ranked woman in the lineup.
This positioning placed her ahead of country icons like Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, and even Carrie Underwood, who was ranked No. 10.
Billboard’s list, which was derived from country chart performance data covering 2000 to 2024, underscores Swift‘s strong roots in the genre. She first made waves in 2006 with “Tim McGraw,” followed by numerous No. 1 hits including “Our Song” and “Teardrops on My Guitar.” Although she notably shifted to pop around the mid-2010s, Swift has never completely distanced herself from her country origins.
In recent times, her re-recorded albums—as part of her initiative to reclaim her master recordings—have soared in popularity within country circles. “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in 2021.
Her 2023 project Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) also made a significant impact on the charts, reaffirming her lasting influence in the genre where her career began.
Earlier this year, Swift triumphed at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, winning nine out of ten categories, including both Artist of the Year and Tour of the Century for her record-breaking Eras Tour.
Although the AMAs were not in her favor, the past week has highlighted the diverse musical legacy Swift continues to cultivate. From her country beginnings to pop sensation status, and now receiving significant recognition in both fields, Swift remains one of the most impactful artists of the 21st century—awards or not.
