Now THIS is an American Idol!

Yes, that's "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest, and no, Taylor never entered the singing competition. But as the most-honored female artist in the history of Country Music...in only her seventh year as a Country singer/songwriter...Taylor Swift IS an American idol. In this photo, Taylor accepts the 2011 ACM Entertainer of the Year from Seacrest. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Taylor Swift as a "Savage Beauty"

It's May 2nd. Taylor poses for the cameras at the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Dress Rehearsal becomes benefit for Tornado Victims

On May 21st, our EOY nominee took the unprecedented step of opening the last dress rehearsal for her "Speak Now" Tour to fans as a fundraiser to benefit victims of recent deadly tornadoes in the Southeast. The sold-out show, whioch took place in Nashville, raised over $750,000. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

At the Billboard Music Awards

Las Vegas, May 22: Taylor was nominated for seven, and took home three, Billboard Music Awards. These awards are based on music sales and chart performance...two areas where Ms. Swift consistently excels. (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty Images)

Taylor and Shania Twain recreate "Thelma & Louise" for CMT Music Awards

Nashville, June 6th: Wouldn't you love to have been a fly on the wall when these two met? Taylor considers Shania her greatest musical influence. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)

Hanging with fast company backstage

Indianapolis, July 29: Taylor poses with former Indy Car Driver Bryan Herta, Cali Herta, 2011 Indy 500 Winner Dan Wheldon, Big Machine CEO/President Scott Borchetta and Adrian Sussman, Wheldon's Mgr. backstage at the "Speak Now" tour stop at Conseco Fieldhouse. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BigMachineRecords.com)

Surfin' for awards

Taylor Swift has openly recognized the responsibility she feels to be a positive role model for youngsters, many of whom count themselves as fans. In this photo, Taylor accepts one of her six 2011 Teen Choice Awards, August 7. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

The biggest machine in Nashville

Scott Borchetta was a longtime Nashville heavyweight when he founded Big Machine Records. Taylor Swift was the first act signed to the label and today is the biggest star in the music industry. This shot of Borchetta and Ms. Swift was taken at the 5th Annual ACM Honors at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium on September 19. (Photo by Frederick Breedon IV/Getty Images for ACM)

Going International

Taylor poses with her Jim Reeves International Award at the 5th Annual ACM Honors. Her "Speak Now" tour took Taylor as far as Europe and New Zealand. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for ACM)

Are you Wonderstruck?

A bottle of our EOY nominee's new fragrance, Wonderstruck, is on display in this photo taken at the Belk Cool Springs Galleria in Franklin, TN, as part of the new product's launch. (Photo by Royce DeGrie/Getty Images)

Now you can smell just like me!

Ok...now that you put it THAT way...

Taylor poses with a bottle of Wonderstruck at the product's launch in Franklin, TN. (Photo by Royce DeGrie/Getty Images)

Striking a pose in the Big Apple

Taylor Swift and a bottle of Wonderstruck at the New York City launch October 13. 13...as in Taylor's favorite number. Tell me THAT was a coincidence! (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

At the 59th Annual BMI Country Awards

Taylor stopped for a few pix going into 59th Annual BMI Country Awards on November 8th in Nashville. Taylor's songwriting chops have earned her considerable respect among her peers. Taylor admits, "If you listen to my albums, it's like reading my diary". (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI)

Does standing with this kid make me look old?

Taylor poses with 16-year-old singer/songwriter Hunter Hayes at the BMI Country Awards. Hunter's debut "Storm Warning" was a recent Top-20 hit and hints at great things to come. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BMI)

Those BMI awards are huuuge!

And at the 59th Annual BMI Country Awards, Taylor won three that night: for "Fearless", "Mine" and "Back To December". In 2010, she was honored as BMI's Country Songwriter of the Year. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BMI)

The love story continues

Our EOY nominee performed on numerous TV appearances in 2011. Her crossover into adulthood has been, at least in the public eye, uneventful. Grownup Taylor's songwriting themes have matured but are still appropriate for all ages. Current hit "Ours" is an outstanding example. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

At the American Music Awards

Taylor's "Speak Now" won Favorite Country Album honors at the 2011 American Music Awards, Novmeber 20th in L.A. Taylor's current album sold 1,047,000 in its first week of release...the highest first-week total in six years and only the 16th album all-time to sell more than a million copies in its first week. Plus, all five hits from "Speak Now" - "Mine", "Back To December", "Mean", "Sparks Fly" and "Ours" - have reached #1 according to Mediabase (source of the weekly American Country Countdown). (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Oh Emm Gee!

Taylor was also honored with AMAs for Favorite Country Female Artist... (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

You like me! You really like me!

Of course Taylor wasn't even a glimmer in her parents' eye when Sally Field uttered those words at the Oscars.

Keeping up with our Entertainer of the Year's accolades is a full time job unto itself: Since her debut less than six years ago...Ms. Swift has become the most-awarded artist currently performing in Country Music. Counting her three current ACM nods...162 nominations, and 102 awards! (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Gotta watch these, they're sharp!

In the press room, posing with three more additions to her trophy case after the 2011 American Music Awards. (Photo by ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Did I mention these all have a really sharp tip?

Yes, AMA awards can double as lethal weapons. However we all know what'll happen if we break Taylor's heart or make her angry...she'll write a #1 song about it and cart off more awards! :) (Photo by ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

New York City fans Speak Now

Our EOY nominee wrapped up the North American leg of her "Speak Now" tour just before Thanksgiving at Madison Square Garden in NYC. The two shows were sold out (of course!), just like everywhere else Taylor played in 2011...98 shows, 17 countries, 3 continents. And that's before the 2012 leg that just wrapped up in Auckland. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Popstars hang with Biggest Star on the Planet

Actor/Artist Selena Gomez and 70's legend James Taylor pose with Taylor Swift backstage.

Did you know: The Beatles gave James Taylor his start but his career didn't truly launch until returning to the US and moving from Apple to Warner Bros. Records. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Speaking from the balcony

It's actually one of the many elaborate sets that comprise Taylor's amazing stage show. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

She dreams it...she does it

Millions saw the "Speak Now" tour worldwide...here in Pittsburgh, she played to a sold-out crowd at Heinz Field, while Y108 turned itself into "T108", playing several continuous hours of Taylor's music to set the mood. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Welcome to Taylor's world...live in concert

Given the autobiographical nature of her music (she's said it's like "reading my diary"), attending Taylor's "Speak Now" concert was like stepping inside the performer's mind. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Conquering the Big Apple...next stop: The WORLD!

After the pair of sold-out Madison Square garden shows from which these performance pix were taken, our EOY nominee took her "Speak Now" tour to adoring crowds in Australia and New Zealand, just wrapping up last week. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Legend in the making

It may sound like hyperbole, but consider...if Taylor Swift retired tomorrow, she is already the most nominated - and awarded female in Country Music, she was the best selling artist in ALL genres of music in 2009 and 2010, she's also sold 41 million digital tracks (#5 all-time). Just this year Taylor lent her voice to the character "Audrey" in the movie "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" and performed two songs in the blockbuster "The Hunger Games". Did you know Ms. Swift, when she was 12, also wrote a 350-page novel...which remains unpublished? (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

This country's rockin'!

Taylor onstage at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

And now herrrrrrrre's Johnny!

Johnny Rzeznik, that is...frontman for Goo Goo Dolls. Rzeznik was one of many Pop, Rock and Country stars to join Taylor Swift on tour during "Speak Now"'s 111-show run around the world. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Shaking hands with Faith

On November 29th, our Entertainer of the Year nominee was honored as one of CMT's Artists of the Year...an accolade shared by four of the five ACM EOY nominees. Faith Hill made the formal presentation at the ceremony in Nashville. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)

Family portrait...waitaminute! Is she looking at the carpet?

LOL...it's an all-star picture taken at the CMT Artists of the Year presentation. In the back: Jason Aldean, CMT host Rob Lowe, Charles Kelley, Brad Paisley and Dave Haywood. Front row: Taylor, Kenny Chesney lookin' off to the side, and Hillary Scott's looking up! It's ok, we're all family here, right? (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)

At Billboard's Women in Music event

She looks good in long, straight hair, doesn't she? Taylor Swift attended the Billboard fete December 2nd. The industry newspaper honored her as 2011 Woman of the Year...the youngest ever to be so honored. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Accepting the Harmony Award at the Nashville Symphony Ball

December 10th: Ms. Swift was honored with the Nashville Symphony's prestigious Harmony Award, recognizing her for exemplifying the unique harmony between the many worlds of music that exist in Music City, and her significant contributions to the development and appreciation of musical culture. (Photo by Royce DeGrie/Getty Images)

Speaking with Robert Redford at the Sundance Film Festival

The occasion is the Artist at the Table Dinner and Discussion, which is part of the Sundance Film Festival. The dinner/discussion took place January 19th. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

And Neil, this is my "surprised at winning another award" look!

Taylor and Neil Patrick Harris arrive at the GRAMMYs. She'd already won four GRAMMYs two years ago (including Album of the Year for "Fearless" - youngest artist ever to win that honor) In 2012 she was nominated for three - and would win two more. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Belle of the ball

Taylor's GRAMMY red carpet arrival shot. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Why you have to be so mean?!

The critic whose comments inspired Taylor's #1 hit "Mean" is believed to be Bob Lefsetz, a longtime industry insider whose blog is read by just about everyone in the entertainment business. Lefsetz has indeed been critical of Ms. Swift but has also praised her ability to write "from the heart and sell out stadiums". Taylor indeed turned lemons into lemonade..."Mean" was not only a #1 song but also won two GRAMMYs. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

All you are is Mean...and a liar, and PATHETIC...

Taylor's turn of the word "pathetic" in "Mean" always brings a smile to my face...it's the type of heart-baring emotional connection that earned "Mean" two GRAMMYs: Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Taylor meets Gwyneth at the GRAMMYs

Taylor and Gwyneth Paltrow hang out backstage at the GRAMMYs. Gwyneth's husband is Chris Martin, frontman for Coldplay. Gwyneth also played the lead role alongside Tim McGraw in "Country Strong" last year. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images For The Recording Academy)

So which one do you like better?

Taylor shows off her two GRAMMYs in the Press Room following the 2012 Awards. This pair brings her GRAMMY total to six. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Something's growing outta my hair!

It's a little like the old gag where someone comes up behind you and sticks their fingers up over your head...people are laughing but you don't know why. Here Taylor gets the last laugh at the world premiere of "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" at Universal Studios CA. She played the voice of Audrey, a character inspired by the late Dr. Seuss' wife. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

At the world premiere of "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax"

It's another red carpet arrival for Taylor as she prepares to attend the world premiere of the latest Dr. Seuss film adaptation. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Annnd here's my serious, demure look...

Another shot from "The Lorax" world premiere. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Posing with the star of the show

Taylor gets her picture taken with The Lorax at the world premiere of the Universal film...hence its premiere in Universal City, CA. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

"Speak Now" down under

Taylor took her Speak Now tour to Australia in March, here she performs live on stage at The Burswood Dome on March 2 in Perth. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Live in Perth

Another shot from the Perth concert. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Making sparks fly

Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Taylor Swift was bullied in her Reading, PA school...but she learned to channel the pain into her music. Today she stands as the #1 grossing musical act in the world, and #7 earning overall celebrity. She remains BFFs with Abigail Anderson from her high school days in Hendersonville, TN - where the family moved when Ms. Swift obtained the songwriting deal that led to her contract with Big Machine. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Biggest star on the planet

Not Lady GaGa. Not Rihanna. Not Justin Bieber or Eminem or U2. Taylor Swift outshines them all and is well on her way to a status that will place her alongside Garth Brooks, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson as a global Pop Culture legend. Hyperbole? Google the stats and decide for yourself...the scary (in a good way) part is she's only 22! Taylor's admitted her next album - due this fall - will take a darker tone, the result of having penned 25 songs about a failed relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal. For now, she's the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year and up again for the award - along with Top Female Vocalist and Video of the Year (yup, "Mean"!) Watch the ACM's on KDKA-TV Sunday Night and BE SURE you watch for a MAJOR Cash Cow announcement during the broadcast! (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)