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Saturday 2 December 2023 Dublin: 2°C
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Podcast

The Explainer: How has Taylor Swift become (arguably) the world’s biggest music star?

Arts and culture journalist Louise Bruton explores how Taylor Swift became the powerful force in the music industry that she is today. We look at why the billionaire pop star is re-recording her albums, her many feuds, and the history of how she rose from a country music singer to the most streamed artist in the world.

IT WAS A busy October for Taylor Swift.

She released another re-recorded album, debuted her Eras concert film, and was declared a billionaire.

The 33-year-old has taken the music world by storm over the last 15 years or so, going from a teenage country music singer to the most-streamed music artist in the world.

But what is behind her fame? How has she generated such intense interest in her music and cultivated a following of die-hard fans?

We’re joined on this week’s episode by Louise Bruton, a journalist specialising in the arts, pop culture and disability rights, to look at who exactly Taylor Swift is, why she is releasing new versions of her old albums, and how she has become one of the most powerful forces in music today.


The Explainer / SoundCloud

This episode was put together by presenter Laura Byrne, senior producer Nicky Ryan and executive producer Sinéad O’Carroll.