As the calendar gets ready to flip over to 2010, The Hollywood Gossip staff is looking back on the year that was. We're excited to present out 10 finalists for our prestigious, Third Annual Celebrity of the Year award.

These A-listers have given us their best, their worst, their naked pics (sometimes) and their hysterical, off-the-wall antics (often). It's time for THG to pay tribute to their unique greatness.

Last week, we continued the 2009 countdown with Carrie Prejean at number-eight. (No, it wasn't that low because she's Christian.)

Today: Celebrity of the Year finalist #7 … Taylor Swift!

When the 2009 kicked off, Swift was a modestly successful singer on the rise. Her fan base was mostly comprised of the same tweens that screamed their lungs out for Zac Efron, Robert Pattinson and other celebs that were a notch below mainstream status.

Fast forward 12 months, however, and the numbers speak for themselves:

• Swift's "Fearless" was the best-selling album of 2009;
• She was named Artist of the Year by Billboard Magazine;
• She won four Country Music Awards;
• She won five BMI Awards;
• She's been nominated for eight 2010 Grammys.

Aside from her trophy haul, Swift also made headlines this year when she was rudely cut off by Kanye West at the MTV Video Music Awards. She handled the incident with maturity and grace, earning many new fans in the process.

Taylor concluded the best year of her life with a widely-praised Saturday Night Live hosting gig; and by entering into a rumored relationship with Taylor Lautner.

The only downside to 2009 for Swift? She's guaranteed that 2010 will be a let down in comparison!