Taylor Swift Honored with "Tour of the Century" at iHeartRadio Music Awards, Absent but Present in Spirit
Taylor Swift, the global music phenomenon, added another accolade to her overflowing trophy case at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Monday, securing the coveted "Tour of the Century" award. However, the "Tortured Poets Department" maestro was notably absent from the Los Angeles ceremony, opting instead to express her gratitude and share a special performance virtually.
While fans eagerly anticipated a red carpet appearance and the possibility of a surprise announcement, Swift offered a pre-recorded thank you video and a captivating taped performance of "Mirrorball" on guitar. This particular rendition held special significance, as it was filmed during the surprise set of her inaugural show in Glendale, Arizona, marking the genesis of the groundbreaking Eras Tour.
The timing of the iHeartRadio Music Awards held particular weight, coinciding with the two-year anniversary of the Eras Tour’s launch. This monumental tour, a retrospective journey through Swift’s illustrious career, has shattered records and cemented her status as a live performance powerhouse.
In her heartfelt thank you message, Swift acknowledged the immense challenge and unparalleled gratification the Eras Tour provided. "This tour was absolutely the most challenging thing Ive ever done in my life… and it really was the most gratifying thing Ive ever done," she confessed, her voice imbued with genuine appreciation. She continued by expressing her unwavering gratitude to her devoted fanbase, stating, "It blows my mind, and Im never gonna stop being grateful for it."
Comedian Nikki Glaser, a self-proclaimed Eras Tour enthusiast having attended an impressive 22 shows, introduced the award with her signature wit. Glaser humorously remarked, "Thank god I saw it that many times because never in my childless, dog-lady life will I ever witness a live performance of that magnitude." She further emphasized the tour’s unparalleled impact, adding, "We have 75 years left in the century, and theyre like, Yeah, no ones topping this."
Beyond the prestigious "Tour of the Century" recognition, Swift dominated the awards landscape with a total of 10 nominations across nine categories. Even before the official ceremony commenced, Swift secured several victories. She claimed "Best Tour Tradition" for the Eras Tour’s signature surprise songs, a unique and highly anticipated element of each concert. Her lyrical prowess was also acknowledged with a win for "Best Lyrics" for "Fortnight," a track from her latest album.
As the red carpet buzz intensified, Swift’s winning streak continued. "Favorite Tour Style" was awarded to her, recognizing the visual spectacle and iconic costumes that defined the Eras Tour experience. The music video for "Fortnight" also earned acclaim, securing the "Best Music Video" award. Adding a touch of playful romance to the accolades, Swift and her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, were jointly awarded "Favorite Surprise Guest" for Kelce’s memorable on-stage cameo, during which he playfully carried Swift during her third London show.
Despite the absence of a live red carpet moment or a surprise announcement, the celebration of Swift’s achievements remained the focal point of the evening. The Eras Tour’s impact is undeniable. The spectacular, sequin-filled concert tour grossed a staggering $2 billion in ticket sales. Swift danced her way through 149 sets in 22 countries, and showed her gratitude to her crew with bonuses totaling $197 million.
Swift’s connection with the iHeartRadio Music Awards spans over a decade. With 19 previous wins and 50 nominations to her name, she has consistently been recognized for her innovation and artistic vision. In 2023, Swift received the Innovator Award, where she humbly acknowledged her approach to pushing boundaries within the music industry. "I never, a single time, woke up in the morning and thought, You know what Im going to do today, Im going to go innovate some stuff? Things need to be innovated, and Im going to be the one that does it," she said in her acceptance speech. She continued, "But what I did do is try to do the best decision for me at the time, whether or not it had been successfully done before. And I think maybe that might have been the key."
The article also made mention that Lady Gaga received an award at this year’s show, with Swift having stated in the past, "I think the coolest ideas or moves or choices are the new ones, the ones that set a new precedent."
The article concluded by encouraging readers to subscribe to "This Swift Beat", a free, weekly newsletter and to follow Bryan West, the USA TODAY Networks Taylor Swift reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X.
