Taylor Swift

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!

For her 20th birthday, we were gonna get Taylor Swift a quartet of Country Music Awards. But she already has those.

Then, we were gonna ensure her nomination for a slew of Grammys. But, nope, the singer has snagged those, too.

A fake ID, so she doesn't have to wait a year to drink legally? Nah. This isn't Miley Cyrus.

Might we honor the beauty with a spot on our Celebrity of the Year countdown? You'll find out soon!

For now, we're simply gonna offer Taylor gifts that money can't buy: our deepest appreciation of her talent, our gratitude for her normalcy, a request to readers to send in your birthday wishes to the superstar, and the photo montage below...

Taylor Swift might have millions of dollars, countless fans and a slew of award nominations, but she's just like me and you.

The singer recently posted on her Facebook page that the holiday season is her "favorite time of year."

"I love everything about this time of year, but mostly the way that people find ways to be with the ones they love," she writes. "And I love sweaters. Everyone is wearing sweaters right now."

Can we get back to the part about ones you love, Taylor? Was that a hint at Taylor Lautner?!?

On Friday night, Swift will perform in New York City at Z100's Jingle Ball. It's the ideal way to cap the best year of her life, which includes eight Grammy nominations.

"[On the phone] I remember hearing the screaming voices of the drummer and the bass player and the mixers and publishers who helped put this album together," she said of hearing that news. "He put me on speakerphone, and we all screamed together. I couldn't stop saying 'I love you' to them, just like I can't stop saying 'I love you' to you."

Awww, T Swizzle. Right back at ya!

Taylor Swift is a very busy woman.

She's winning Country Music Awards; getting nominated for multiple Grammys; cozying up to Taylor Lautner.

Still, the global superstar found time to pose for one of the fashion world's most respected publications this week, as she's featured in The New York Times Style Magazine. Check out her heavily made-up cover below:

At just 19, Swift already has more crossover appeal than any artist alive.

She's beloved by country fans, pop fans, fashion followers. Heck, she even made inroads in the comedic world after a great stint as host of Saturday Night Live.

We're a gossip site that has actually critiqued celebrity baby fashion on occasion... but we can't think of a single bad thing to say about Taylor. You rock, girl!

Click on the following photos for more stylish shots of Swift in this magazine:

Attention, readers: there's been a Taylor Squared sighting!

Rumored couple Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner were spotted on the set of their upcoming movie, Valentine's Day, looking as cute and as cozy as ever.

We can't verify the pair is "so in love," as irreponsible tabloids have reported, but we can confirm the following: we hope they are! Take a look at Taylor and Taylor driving away from the film's set... together:

Also, mark your calendars for February 12. On that date, Valentine's Day hits theaters and rumors about this pair will only grow stronger.

Check them, filming scenes for the flick, below:

Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift: A cute couple? Or the cutest couple? [Photos: PacificCoastNewsOnline.com]

She doesn't create controversy like Adam Lambert.

She doesn't have an unusual, inspiring backstory like Susan Boyle.

She doesn't beat her girlfriend and then get rewarded for it with a primetime interview like Chris Brown.

Instead, Taylor Swift simply makes fun music - and fans around the world love her for it!

The pretty, talented musician took her Fearless tour to England this week. Below we've published a series of photos from her concert at Manchester Arena. If you attended the event, we'd love to hear about it!

[Photos: Splash News]

This is Taylor Swift's year.

While she wasn't on hand personally, the 19-year-old pocketed a leading five prizes, including the biggest, Artist of the Year, at Sunday's American Music Awards.

Screw you, Kanye! Meanwhile, Michael Jackson was a close second.

The late King of Pop won four posthumous awards, including Favorite Pop/Rock Artist, an impressive feat when you're not alive, bringing his AMA career total to 25.

And, capping a box-office-busting weekend for New Moon, The Twilight Saga even got in on the action, scoring the prize for Favorite Soundtrack for the first film.

Here's the complete list of winners at the 2009 AMAs:

There is no stopping the Taylor Swift Express.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Taylor Swift

POP/ROCK

Male Artist: Michael Jackson

Female Artist: Taylor Swift

Band, Duo or Group: Black Eyed Peas

Album: Number Ones, Michael Jackson

SOUL/R&B

Male Artist: Michael Jackson

Female Artist: Beyoncé

Band, Duo or Group: Black Eyed Peas

Album: Number Ones, Michael Jackson

Continue Reading...

John Mayer may be a total and utter douchebag, but we can say one nice thing about him: The singer is unafraid to praise his competition.

Months ago, he (sort of creepily) gave a shout out to Demi Lovato via Twitter. Now, he's telling Access Hollywood just how awesome Taylor Swift is.

“There’s something about Taylor that she would have been a star in any decade,” Mayer said. “Taylor’s like this fresh voice.”

Swift actually shares a credit with the crooner on “Half of My Heart,” a song off Mayer's new album, "Battle Studies."

Mayer says he's most impressed by how calm and humble Swift has remained in the face of such success.

“Taylor Swift is the last person to know she’s Taylor Swift, which I think is totally sweet. It’s almost like Taylor Swift is like a character in a movie about a small town girl who has her dreams come true.

"It’s great to have someone who’s hugely talented and still is able to receive the pleasure in all moments.”

It sure is, but you best stay away from her, John! Otherwise, you'll have to answer to Taylor Lautner and his abs of steel!

It's a good thing we're big fans of Taylor Swift.

Otherwise, we might get sick of the fact that the singer is featured on more shows and magazines than President Obama.

Swift covers the December issue of InStyle, which hits newsstands on Friday. Donning a beaded Oscar de la Renta dress, the star gives major props to Taylor Lautner inside the magazine, but also espouses her single life in the article.

Of the New Moon hunk, Swift says:

"He and I have gotten really close. It would be confusing on the set [of Valentine's Day] with two Taylors in the same scene. They were like, 'Taylor, on your mark – no, not you, the other one!' So halfway through the shoot, I said, 'How about you guys call me Swifty and call him Taylor?'"

Sounds like Taylor Squared is totally on, right? Not so fast.

"I've never thought it was a curse to be single," she said. "At this point in my life, I'm in the mind-set where I choose to be single, like I get to light scented candles and write in my diary and I wouldn't have time for that if I had a boyfriend right now!"

We don't see why not. Dear Diary: Surrounded by scented candles, I cuddled all night with Taylor yesterday... XOXO, Swifty.

Seems easy enough, right?

After conquering the country music world last night, Taylor Swift said she was seeking a new challenge.

Kevin Williamson, a producer on The Vampire Diaries, has one for the singing senstion: come aboard my show!!!

"I'm desperate to have [Swift] come play a vampire," Williamson told E! News. "Wouldn't she make an amazing Kirsten Dunst circa Interview With the Vampire type? I cannot tell you how hard I'm trying to get her - I would kill to have her on the show!"

Swift is dating Taylor Lautner, who stars in his own vampire-based franchise. This casting almost makes too much sense, doesn't it?

You tell us: should Taylor Swift guest star on The Vampire Diaries?