Selena Gomez Shows Love For BFF Taylor Swift at 2023 iHeart Radio Music Awards

Over the years, Taylor Swift has proven that she is a pop culture icon through her raw, honest songwriting and ability to stay true to herself while shifting music genres, combatting relationship troubles, and dealing with the drama surrounding her masters. The Grammy winner made a rare appearance at the 2023 iHeart Radio Music Awards, where she was honored with the Innovator Award. Her Eras tourmate and "Nothing New" collaborator, Phoebe Bridgers, presented her with the award, noting that it's "The World (Taylor's Version)" and we're just living in it.

Some of Taylor's longtime friends and collaborators, including Miles Teller, Justin Timberlake, and Selena Gomez, honored her in a montage of video messages before she accepted the honor. #Taylena has been going strong for nearly 15 years, so it's no surprise that Sel has the "Same Old Love" for her BFF and "game changer," Taylor.

"She can represent what she's walking through so well," the Rare Beauty founder said in the clip, per E! News. "Being a role model, I don't think that's something you sign up for. I just think it's something you inherently have inside of you and I think that's Taylor."

Miles Teller, who starred in Taylor's "I Bet You Think About Me" music video, also shared some sweet words about the singer. "She challenges the genre. She challenges her fans," Miles said. "She grows with them and as Taylor has evolved, her music has evolved. I think that's what makes her fans so proud to be her fans."

The "Karma" hitmaker graciously accepted the honor, where she acknowledged that she made plenty of mistakes that got her where she is today.

"I really really want everyone to know, especially young people, that the hundreds or thousands of dumb ideas that I've had are what led me to my good ideas. You have to give yourself permission to fail," she shared in her inspiring speech. "I try as hard as I can not to fail because it's embarrassing, but I do give myself permission to and you should, too. So go easy on yourselves and just make the right choices that feel right for you."

Catch Taylor's full acceptance speech below.

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