Taylor Swift will become the first woman to win the BRITs global icon award… but how is that possible?

An award reserved for those performers whose contributions to the entertainment industry sit just a cut above the rest, being nominated is undoubtedly a huge honour, and as the first female winner to ever secure the accolade, it’s fair to say that Taylor has lots to be proud of.

Spending much of the past year writing and producing new music, the singer surprised fans with not one, but two new albums – the first (folklore) in July 2020, the second (evermore) in early December. Recognising Swift for “her immense impact” on the music world, organisers commended her for her “incredible repertoire and achievements to date”.

Speaking of Taylor’s win, a spokesperson for the BRIT Awards commented, “Taylor’s career is unparalleled and her music and influence has resonated with millions of people all over the world. She’s used her platform to highlight many issues globally and recently has been applauded for her work promoting acceptance of the LGBTQ community.”

The first time that the BRITs has opened the category up to international artists, Taylor’s win is momentous for more reasons than one. Categorised as the ceremony’s highest honour, only Sir Elton John (2014), David Bowie (2016) and Robbie Williams (2017) have received the award before Ms Swift. The fourth recipient in an admittedly very impressive lineup, it is still a strange choice considering the plethora of incredible female talent that the UK has produced.

Dido? Amy Winehouse? Adele, aka the UK’s biggest-selling female artist of the 21st century? Undoubtedly a global icon, Swift has still only ever been nominated for six BRIT Awards, winning one for international female solo artist back in 2015. Amy Winehouse has received eight nominations, Adele for 15.

Maybe the BRITS are making up for lost time and recognition by expanding the global icon award to international artists? And, lest we forget, Swift has made the UK her second home, spending a lot of time in London with her boyfriend Joe Alwyn and his family during the lockdown.

Set to take place on Tuesday night at 8 pm, 4,000 people will descend upon London’s O2 Arena for the ceremony. The first major indoor music event to go ahead since the onset of the pandemic, everything will be streamed live on ITV, or you can catch the action after the fact over on the ITV Hub.

Feature image via @taylorswift