The 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony, held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, witnessed a surprising turn of events for pop superstar Taylor Swift. Despite entering the night with a remarkable six nominations, the 35-year-old artist left empty-handed, marking an unexpected outcome for one of the music industry’s most decorated figures. This Grammy shutout came as a stark contrast to Swift’s previous successes, having already amassed fourteen Grammy wins throughout her career, including a record-breaking four Album of the Year awards.
Swift’s nominations spanned various prestigious categories, reflecting the breadth and depth of her artistic contributions. Her album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” was nominated for both Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. Her collaboration with Post Malone, “Fortnight,” garnered nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Music Video. Furthermore, her duet with Gracie Abrams, “Us,” received a nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Each of these nominations underscored Swift’s continued influence and impact on the music landscape.
However, the night belonged to other artists who delivered compelling work across multiple genres. Kendrick Lamar emerged as a major victor, securing both Record of the Year and Song of the Year for his track “Not Like Us.” Swift, displaying her characteristic grace and sportsmanship, was seen celebrating Lamar’s win, dancing along to his music. Sabrina Carpenter, who opened for Swift on her Eras Tour, claimed the Best Pop Vocal Album award for “Short n’ Sweet,” eliciting an enthusiastic standing ovation from Swift herself. The coveted Album of the Year award ultimately went to Beyoncé for “Cowboy Carter,” marking her first win in this category. Swift, ever gracious, toasted Beyoncé’s victory alongside Jay-Z.
The competition in each category was exceptionally fierce, highlighting the incredible talent and creativity within the music industry. Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department” faced formidable contenders for Album of the Year, including works by André 3000, Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, Jacob Collier, Billie Eilish, and Chappell Roan. Similarly, the Best Pop Vocal Album category saw stiff competition from albums by Carpenter, Eilish, Roan, and Ariana Grande. The other categories in which Swift was nominated also featured a diverse array of talented artists, each presenting remarkable musical achievements.
Swift’s “Fortnight,” featuring Post Malone, found itself vying for Record of the Year against tracks by The Beatles, Beyoncé, Carpenter, Charli XCX, Eilish, Lamar, and Roan. The Song of the Year category presented an equally challenging field, with Swift’s “Fortnight” competing against compositions by Eilish, Roan, Lamar, Beyoncé, Shaboozey, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, and Carpenter. The Best Music Video category showcased a dynamic range of visuals, with Swift’s “Fortnight” facing off against videos by A$AP Rocky, Charli XCX, Eminem, and Lamar.
Finally, in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category, Swift and Abrams’ “Us” contended with collaborations by Beyoncé and Post Malone, Charli XCX and Eilish, Grande, Brandy, and Monica, and the winning duo of Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars for “Die With a Smile.” Despite not securing any awards on the night, Swift’s nominations alone served as a testament to her enduring relevance and artistic prowess. Her past Grammy triumphs, including Album of the Year wins for “Fearless,” “1989,” “Folklore,” and “Midnights,” solidify her place as a prominent figure in music history. Her accolades extend beyond Album of the Year, encompassing awards for Best Country Album, Best Country Song, Best Female Country Vocal Performance, Best Song Written for Visual Media, Best Music Video, and Best Pop Vocal Album. While the 2025 Grammys may not have added to her trophy collection, Swift’s impact on the music industry remains undeniable.
