![Taylor Swift THE MAKING OF A POP CULTURE](https://cdn.magzter.com/1494518166/1721043269/articles/cnhlD9bes1721305795307/TAYLOR-SWIFT-THE-MAKING-OF-A-POP-CULTURE.jpg)
Whether you're a fully committed Swiftie with a wrist dripping in friendship bracelets or a casual onlooker in awe of her success, it's impossible not to be fascinated by Taylor Swift. So how did this cute country singer who grew up on a Pennsylvania Christmas tree farm transform into a globally adored powerhouse? The truth is, it's what Swift, 34, wanted all along, once admitting, "I'm intimidated by the fear of being average." While no awkward 12-year-old writing songs in her bedroom on an acoustic guitar could possibly imagine the world domination that followed, from a young age, Swift didn't just have a dream; she made it come true.
Let's break it down...
1 Be insanely talented: CHECK!
There's some stuff you can't manufacture, no matter how hard try! Whether you have The Tortured Poets Department on repeat or not, you can't dispute that Swift is a genius with words. Thankfully, her parents spotted her creative spark early, uprooting their lives to Nashville when they realized they had a little genius on their hands. Two decades (and thousands of songs) later, in a world where even the most talented musicians employ teams of producers and writers to craft their hits, Swift maintains a unique control over her process, usually working with just one or two close collaborators as she shepherds an album to completion.
She's also unbelievably prolific, having released five new studio albums in the past five years, plus her first four rerecorded Taylor's Version LPs, each featuring several new "From the Vault" tracks. That comes to 135 new songs since 2019. So what spurs her on? "It's because I could never feel the kind of rejection in the music industry that I felt in middle school," she's said. Yup, most of us just post a hot selfie every now and again to prove something to our childhood frenemies; she went one (OK, quite a few) better!
2 Win over all kinds of people: CHECK!
This story is from the July 29, 2024 edition of Us Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 29, 2024 edition of Us Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![25 THINGS YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15328/1821374/_5WfulzDF1725527881557/25-THINGS-YOU-DONT-KNOW-ABOUT-ME.jpg)
25 THINGS YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME
Swishes come true: The Chicago Sky star tosses out some winning personal facts for Us!
![It's Yesterday Once More](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15328/1821374/qWKueZGs31725527786102/ITS-YESTERDAY-ONCE-MORE.jpg)
It's Yesterday Once More
Carmen Electra reflects on that red one-piece in After Baywatch
![Now This Is Our Jam!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15328/1821374/a6H-DkTNE1725527437570/NOW-THIS-IS-OUR-JAM.jpg)
Now This Is Our Jam!
New York Times bestselling author John Kanell shares a recipe from his new cookbook, Preppy Kitchen Super Easy: 100 Simple and Versatile Recipes
![Small Design Changes with Major Impact](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15328/1821374/wKHPM5inL1725527393660/SMALL-DESIGN-CHANGES-WITH-MAJOR-IMPACT.jpg)
Small Design Changes with Major Impact
Interior designer Alison Victoria, star of HGTV's Windy City Rehab, curates her best fall decor tips for Us
![Miranda Lambert NO RISK, No Reward](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15328/1821374/UWkHsEZLA1725525589528/MIRANDA-LAMBERT-NO-RISK-NO-REWARD.jpg)
Miranda Lambert NO RISK, No Reward
Ahead of the release of her new album, the country music superstar talks to Us about living and loving fearlessly
![REMEMBERING Patrick Swayze](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15328/1821374/zMoHz_yVH1725526678569/REMEMBERING-PATRICK-SWAYZE.jpg)
REMEMBERING Patrick Swayze
Friends and coworkers tell Us what made the beloved actor special and why he's still revered 15 years after his untimely death
![Mary Bonnet I'm a Survivor](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15328/1821374/0CBcVyelL1725526143187/MARY-BONNET-IM-A-SURVIVOR.jpg)
Mary Bonnet I'm a Survivor
The Selling Sunset star opens up to Us about finding peace following her teen pregnancy, harrowing sexual assault and fertility challenges
![Why Pregnant Lindsay's Not Taking Any 'Bulls**t'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15328/1821374/y4fLazy_21725525465466/WHY-PREGNANT-LINDSAYS-NOT-TAKING-ANY-BULLST.jpg)
Why Pregnant Lindsay's Not Taking Any 'Bulls**t'
The Summer House star talks to Us about her roller-coaster year and what's ahead
![Former Fan Favorites Aren't Resonating Like They Used To](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15328/1821374/-JaORK7V51725525141888/FORMER-FAN-FAVORITES-ARENT-RESONATING-LIKE-THEY-USED-TO.jpg)
Former Fan Favorites Aren't Resonating Like They Used To
Us explores why millennial music stars like Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry and J.Lo are making less of an impact
![I'm Having a Boy!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15328/1821374/yuTRcUvh61725524995786/IM-HAVING-A-BOY.jpg)
I'm Having a Boy!
Candiace Dillard Bassett is going to be a boy mom! The Real Housewives of Potomac star and her husband, Chris Bassett, are expecting a son, the pair exclusively tell Us.