Taylor Swift Is Named Artist of the Decade at AMAs 2019

Since she first came on the scene, Taylor Swift’s music has served as the soundtrack to so many fans’ lives, coloring their ups and downs, and everything in between. That’s why it’s no surprise that she was honored as the Artist of the Decade at the 2019 American Music Awards.

Prior to her performance, we got to take a trip down memory lane with video footage of Taylor's greatest music videos, live performances, and iconic award show speeches. When Taylor finally took the stage, she opened up with a rendition of her song "The Man," surrounded by an ensemble of child backup dancers. They were all dressed in identical white button-down shirts displaying Taylor's old album titles — a very likely nod to her conflict with Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta, whom Taylor alleged were preventing her from playing her old music at the AMAs.

From there, started singing the classic "Love Story," followed by "I Knew You Were Trouble." Gone was the white button-down shirt; instead, Taylor rocked the AMAs stage in a sparkly gold bodysuit. Her medley also included "Blank Space" and "Shake It Off," the latter of which was performed alongside Camila Cabello and Halsey. To close out her set, Taylor slowed things down with "Lover," playing piano while Misty Copeland made an appearance as a featured dancer.

During her acceptance speech, Taylor spoke highly of musician Carole King, who presented the Artist of the Decade award to her. She opened by telling King that her parents listened to all of her records growing up, reflecting on the important way an artist can impact people's lives. "You taught me that that's a possibility," Taylor said. "Any of the artists, what anyone in this room wants, is to create something that will last."

She went on to talk about her beloved Swifties. "This is an award that celebrates a decade of hard work and heart and fun and memories. All that matters to me is the memories that I have had with you, the fans, over the years.... Thank you for being the reason why I am on this stage."

While the AMAs were filled with sparkles and glimmer, the weeks leading up to the awards were certainly less than shiny. On November 15, Taylor released a statement claiming that music executives Braun and Borchetta were trying to keep her from performing her old music at the ceremony. “The message being sent to me is very clear,” she wrote at the time. “Basically, be a good little girl and shut up. Or you'll be punished.”

Following her statement, Big Machine Records denied Taylor’s claims. A few days later, Braun broke his silence on the issue, writing in a letter that he had received death threats in the days since Taylor’s note. “I assume this was not your intention but it is important that you understand that your words carry a tremendous amount of weight and that your message can be interpreted by some in different ways,” Braun wrote.

The conflict between Taylor, Braun, and Borchetta prompted many celebrities to choose sides, as they also did a few months prior when Taylor first posted about her former label being acquired by Braun. “Scott and Scooter, you know what the right thing to do is,” Gigi Hadid wrote on Twitter. “Taylor and her fans deserve to celebrate the music!!”

Selena Gomez, who also performed at the AMAs, defended Taylor as well. “Seeing my best friend (or any of my friends) be constantly pulled down is the worst feeling,” Selena wrote in a now-expired Instagram story. “Taylor fights. She will never stop fighting. People grow from choices. Some will stay exactly the same. I just want a change of heart. I love you.”

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Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue