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How Taylor Swift Broke Her Own Rules and Redefined Her Reputation in 2018

Best Taylor Swift Moments 2018

How Taylor Swift Broke Her Own Rules and Redefined Her Reputation in 2018

December 21, 2018 by Kelsie Gibson

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She Started a New Chapter in Her Career by Switching Record Labels

Following her tremendous success this year, Taylor decided to take her career in a brand-new direction for 2019. After teasing her seventh album during the American Music Awards, the singer announced in November that she was leaving Big Machine Records after almost 13 years. In a lengthy Instagram post, Taylor revealed that her new musical home would be Republic Records and Universal Music Group. The new deal will give Taylor ownership of any future masters as well as ensure that any sale of the label's shares in Spotify "will result in a distribution of money to their artists."

She Proved the Old Taylor Isn't "Dead" and Returned to Her Roots

In addition to returning to the famed Nashville cafe, she also briefly returned to her country roots when she appeared on Sugarland's song "Babe" in April. The song, which she cowrote with Train's Patrick Monahan, was originally going to be featured on her Red album, but she later decided to give it to the country band. She also appeared in the Mad Men-esque music video.

During Taylor's stadium tour, the singer made fans extra nostalgic when she sang a surprise song during each concert. In addition to singing throwbacks like "All Too Well" and "Fearless" on the B stage, she also gave a special rendition of "Tim McGraw" during her Nashville concert in August when she was joined by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill on stage.

She Broke Records With Her Reputation Stadium Tour

In addition to blowing us away with her incredible performances, Taylor's tour also broke a ton of records. *Deeply inhales* In August, the Reputation stadium tour became the highest-grossing US tour by a woman, a record she previously held for her 1989 world tour. She also broke the attendance record for her first show at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ, and became the first female artist to play three consecutive shows at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. In December, Taylor's Reputation stadium tour broke the record for highest-grossing US tour with $266.1 million. Whew! *Deeply exhales*

On top of all that, Taylor also received tour of the year at the American Music Awards, which was voted by fans.

She Took Back the Narrative and Owned Her "Snake" Persona

During her concert in May, Taylor briefly opened up about her feud with Kim and Kanye and how she learned to embrace her snake image and turn it into something positive. "I wanted to send a message to you guys that if someone uses name-calling to bully you on social media, and even if a lot of people jump on board with it, that doesn't have to defeat you," she told her fans. "It can strengthen you instead." Ugh, her mind.

She Ditched Her Infamous Squad and Kept Her Real Friends Close

This year, Taylor had a handful of special guests during her tour, she didn't host her annual Fourth of July bash, and she only brought a few close friends to award shows, including her tour opener Camila Cabello. During Taylor's concert in Pasadena, CA, in May, Selena Gomez opened up about her longtime friendship with the singer when she made a surprise cameo. "The reason why she has been one of my best friends is because this person has never, ever judged a single decision I've made," she told the crowd. "But honestly, thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting someone that I know that is the most beautiful, strong, independent woman I've ever met. So thank you for supporting my best friend." Honestly, 2018 only made us want to be BFFs with Taylor even more!

She Was Super Private About Her Love Life

She Broke Her Political Silence

She Made History at the American Music Awards

Of course, her fiery performance wasn't the only highlight of the night. After accepting her 23rd AMA, Taylor made history as the show's most decorated female artist, a record previously held by the late Whitney Houston.

She Started a New Chapter in Her Career by Switching Record Labels

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