Taylor Swift has not had a public performance or released new music in all of 2025.

However, she is still clearly one of the most relevant and popular artists on the planet.

The global pop sensation has not had a public performance since ending her record-breaking Eras Tour back in December of 2024 and has not released new music of her own since April of 2024.

Taylor has kept a relatively low profile through most of 2025, spending most of her time out of the public eye with boyfriend Travis Kelce, with relatively few major announcements, outside of her acquiring the master recordings of all of her previously recorded music.

That’s why Tuesday’s announcement from MTV’s Video Music Awards came as such a surprise.

On Tuesday, Taylor Swift was officially announced as a finalist for Artist of the Year at the 2025 Video Music Awards, joining Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Morgan Wallen, and The Weeknd.

“Taylor swift power is insane. She didn’t even drop a new album and already get nominations like this. Life is too easy for her unlike other celebrities who have to reinvent,” one fan wrote in a post on X. “Didnt think she was gonna be nominated since she didnt release anything this year but hey we’ll take it,” another fan wrote.

“Mind u she hasn’t moved at all this year and she’s still getting a nom,” someone else wrote. “Artist of the year nom without a release that’s impact,” someone else added. “In her inactive year is crazy,” someone else wrote.

“This is hilarious,” another fan added. “No new music, no re-recording, no video, hardly even proof of life and she still that girl,” someone else wrote.

It’s a surprising nomination, but given that fan voting is a significant part in determining the victor and Taylor has the biggest fanbase of any of the artists nominated, it seems like there’s a good chance she could even win, too. Taylor Swift Nominated for Artist of the Year at 2025 VMAs first appeared on Men’s Journal on Aug 6, 2025