Taylor Swift has been the music industry's golden girl ever since Kanye West jumped the stage at the VMAs and interrupted her win for best female video. (And maybe even before.)
However, will her incredible run atop of everyone's list end soon? At the Grammys, Swift took home the album of the year Grammy, surprisingly, beating out Lady Gaga and Beyonce. (I like Swifts CDs, but I believe her 'Fearless' album really pales in comparison to Gaga's 'The Fame' and Beyonce's 'I Am ... Sasha Fierce.'
Swift has carved out an impressive career for herself at a young age by working hard and being well-rehearsed (see her 'surprised' reaction to every single awards victor she's had in the last year.) She prides herself as being a country princess who writes all of her songs and plays the instruments to accompany them, which I do give her props for. However, when her album beats out those more deserving and her live performances are clearly lacking, it makes me wonder what will happen next.
Since Kanye's outburst, everyone's bee cheering her on. But, will that end now that she's won awards she may or may not deserve?
I noticed that upon accepting album of the year, Swift didn't even thank the other nominees, as this standard is in most speeches, she just rambled on about how much the award meant to her -- a move that could further condemn her in the industry's eyes.
I thought it was hard to watch her awkward duet with Stevie Nicks. Next to Nicks, Swift looked and sounded like a terrified kitten who wandered up on the stage. Further, after watching Lady Gaga and Beyonce dominate vocally reinforced Swift's own shortcomings. I truly believe if Swift would have performed way in an American Idol audition, Simon would have told her it was dreadful and Paula Abdul would have started her comments by telling her how pretty she looked.
Regardless, Taylor Swift has won the awards she has and should be very proud of her accomplishments. Looking at it from a PR background, at this point I do not think Swift needs to say or do anything drastic to keep her image and stay at the top of her game. However, to fight these complaints I think she should strengthen her live performance skills and not always act so 'surprised' when she earns an award. Otherwise, her 'down-to-earth,' strong performer image will be tarnished and people will agree with Kanye that other had better albums.
Taylor Swift's fall from the top could be as fast as her rise to the top. The people that loved her this year may be bored of her next. As young as she is she will need to continually redevelope and market herself as she and the music world changes. She should view Dolly Pardon's career as an example
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