S Poddar
Not many artists in pop history have been through a year as significant as Taylor Swift did in 2024. As the pop icon turns 35, she closes the book on the Eras Tour-a global phenomenon that broke records and redefined success in live music. The tour, which would become the best-selling music tour in history, was a tribute to her nearly two-decade-long career that solidified Swift as one of the most influential artists of her generation.
She started the year on high, grabbing the world’s attention during the Super Bowl as a prominent supporter of her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce. From there, her Eras Tour continued to dominate the global music scene, delivering a 3.5-hour performance that encapsulated 18 years of her musical journey. By the time the final show in Vancouver concluded, the tour had grossed over $2 billion from 149 performances, attended by over 10 million fans. This is an achievement so breathtaking that it puts her in a league of her own, with only a few artists—perhaps Beyoncé being the closest—able to rival her unmatched impact.
Despite a minor critical misstep with her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, Swift proved her mettle as a cultural force. While reviewers were sharply divided about the album, it was breaking streaming records and ruling charts, and Swift had been named Spotify’s most-streamed artist of the year. But what is next for an artist who seems to have crested the mountain?
Sources close to Swift tell E. News she will enjoy the quiet of well-earned rest during the holidays, enjoying time with Kelce and some peaceful moments that have been sparse this whirlwind year. Yet beyond that interlude, the horizon stretches wide. As the new wave of female artists inspired by her career emerge into view, Swift faces the challenge – and the opportunity – of reshaping her own story.
One avenue Swift appears poised to explore is filmmaking. Back in 2022, she sold an original script to Searchlight Pictures and is expected to direct the project herself. Details about the film are scarce, but Searchlight executives have termed it as “an exciting new creative journey.” This is in line with Swift’s increasing interest in storytelling through visual means-a trend which is evident with her work in directing 13 music videos and also the All Too Well: The Short Film, which won acclaim. The latter, a 15-minute film starring Sadie Sink and Dylan O’Brien, earned her some awards season notice as a director.
During a 2022 talk at the Toronto Film Festival, Swift said she would want to make movies about “human stories about human emotion” and suggested a turn toward “more comedic, irreverent” subject matter. Should she pursue this route, she will be in good company among the likes of pop icons like Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, and Ariana Grande who have successfully transitioned to acting and filmmaking. Whether Swift remains behind the camera or steps into acting herself is yet to be seen, but her penchant for reinvention suggests that she may surprise fans with her next artistic venture.
Historically, many musicians shift gears in their 30s, often transitioning into residencies, mentorship roles, or extended breaks from the spotlight. For Swift, whose creative output has been relentless—releasing five studio albums in as many years—a hiatus could be on the table. Yet, her love for creating makes such a break unlikely. “I’m happier when I’m making things more often,” she shared in a conversation with Martin McDonagh during a Directors on Directors discussion.
Fans are also looking forward to new music, especially the long-awaited re-recordings of Reputation and her self-titled debut album. Swift’s meticulous approach to surprising her audience keeps her plans shrouded in mystery, but her track record suggests that even during periods of relative quiet, she’s always working on the next big project.
While what’s next is anyone’s guess, one thing is sure: Taylor Swift is far from done. Whether through music, film, or a whole new medium, she continues to redefine what it means to be a global artist. As she brings the curtain down on the record-breaking Eras Tour, all eyes remain on what she will create next. Whatever it may be, it’s sure to capture the world’s attention—just as she always has.
