Thanks to the Swifites, Taylor Swift won big at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards! The pop superstar, 34, took home the trophy for the coveted, fan-voted award for artist of the year at the 12th annual iHeartRadio Music Awards on Monday in Los Angeles. Although the Grammy winner was unable to attend the awards ceremony, she spoke in a pre-recorded acceptance speech about how grateful she was to receive the honor — and teased “exciting things coming up.”
After *NSYNC’s Lance Bass and Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean introduced Swift as the award winner — as well as the winner for pop artist of the year and tour of the year — a video of the hitmaker played.
“Hey! I wanted to say thank you so much to anyone who voted for this award,” the Grammy winner, who was wearing a blue top and a gold necklace, said in the clip. “iHeart, you’ve also just been so incredibly supportive over the course of my entire career, but especially this year has been pretty spectacular. I am so grateful for that.”
Swift also took a moment to shout out her fans for their support in listening to her music and showing up to her record-breaking Eras Tour. “You know, to the fans, it is completely up to you to choose how you spend your time, what concerts you want to go to, what music you want to make the soundtrack of your life. And to anyone who has included me in those choices, I am so, so, so thankful for that,” she shared.
Aside from looking at her whirlwind past year, the “Karma” singer also looked ahead at what’s to come — including the upcoming release of her 11th studio album The Tortured Poets Department.
She continued, “We have so many exciting things ahead of us. I’m continuing on with the tour and, most importantly, I have a brand new album called The Tortured Poets Department, which comes out on April 19. I cannot wait to share it with you.”
“So, thank you for voting for me for this incredible honor — artist of the year,” the singer-songwriter’s thoughtful speech concluded. “I am so blown away and so thankful and I just can’t wait to keep having fun with you guys because we have a lot of exciting things coming up. Thank you so much.”
Swift led the nominations at this year’s iHeartRadio Music Awards, garnering nine total nods. Aside from artist of the year, pop artist of artist of the year and tour of the year, “Cruel Summer” was up for song of the year, pop song of the year and TikTok bop of the year, and her 1989 (Taylor’s Version) track “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version)” was recognized in the best lyrics category.
She was also up for best tour style for her Eras Tour ensembles, her concert film Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour competed for favorite on-screen, and her devoted Swifties were among the fandoms facing off for best fan army.
In the major artist of the year category, she competed against fellow A-listers Drake, Jelly Roll, Luke Combs, Miley Cyrus, Morgan Wallen, Olivia Rodrigo, Shakira, SZA and Usher.
Swift also had a major year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in 2023. In addition to multiple of her songs taking home trophies, including her Midnights fan-favorite “Anti-Hero” earning the song of the year title, she was also honored with the innovator award.