Taylor Swift: megawatt talent, an extraordinary spirit, an impossibly charming blend of impishness, poise and radiance to spare. All of it combines to rock me back on my heels every time I see her. Both literally and figuratively, she’s a woman who writes her own songs. That makes for music that’s personal, of the moment and impossible to resist.
I’m amazed at how much earned wisdom Taylor threads into her work. She seems tuned in to the greater good, and she embraces—thoughtfully and authentically—the chance to contribute to the world. I’m always trying to find the best words to talk to my kids (and myself) about growing up, but you can’t top her beautifully articulated advice. The haters are gonna hate, but, well, shake it off. She illuminates our inner music that lets us dance to our own beat.[time-related-module]
Along with her staggering list of accomplishments, perhaps the most exciting thing about Taylor is that she’s just getting started with what she plans to mine from her fierce, curious, boundlessly talented and beautiful heart.
Also, it doesn’t hurt that she named her cat after me.
Hargitay, an actor and activist, stars as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU
PHOTOS: See Taylor Swift Over the Years
Taylor Swift arrives at the 2006 CMT Music Awards at the Curb Event Center at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Taylor Swift arrives at the 2007 CMT Music Awards.
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Taylor Swift performs during the 42nd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2007.
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Taylor Swift performs during the Academy of Country Music New Artists' Party for a Cause show at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2008.
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Taylor Swift performs live on MTV's "TRL" at the MTV Studios in Times Square in New York City in 2008.
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Taylor Swift attends the 42nd Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tennessee in 2008.
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Singer Taylor Swift arrives at CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California in 2008.
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Taylor Swift performs on Saturday Night Live in 2009.
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Taylor Swift arrives at the Brit Awards 2009 at Earls Court in London, England.
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Taylor Swift performs during the 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards All-Star Jam at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2009.
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Taylor Swift performs at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 2009.
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Taylor Swift arrives to the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
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Taylor Swift performs at the 43rd Annual CMA Awards from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tennessee in 2009.
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Taylor Swift performs onstage at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards held at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California in 2010.
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Taylor Swift drops one of her awards during the 52nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California in 2010.
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Taylor Swift performs at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tennessee in 2010.
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Taylor Swift performs during the Grand Ole Opry 85th birthday bash at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee in 2010.
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Taylor Swift performs "Back to December" at the 44th Annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee in 2010.
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Taylor Swift attends the 'Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty' Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2011.
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Taylor Swift performs at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
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Taylor Swift performs at the Radio One Teen Awards at Wembley Arena in London, England in 2012.
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Taylor Swift performs at the Radio One Teen Awards at Wembley Arena in London, England in 2012.
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Taylor Swift switches on the Christmas lights and performs for fans and shoppers at Westfield London in London, England in 2012.
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Taylor Swift arrives at the 26th Annual ARIA Awards 2012 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in Sydney, Australia.
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Taylor Swift performs on stage during the 26th Annual ARIA Awards 2012 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in Sydney, Australia.
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Taylor Swift performs during night 1 of the 2012 KIIS FM Jingle Ball at Nokia Theatre LA Live in Los Angeles, California.
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Taylor Swift in concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts in 2013.
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Taylor Swift performs while Candice Swanepoel walks the runway at the 2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at the Lexington Avenue Armory in New York City.
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Taylor Swift performs at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on May 30, 2014 in Shanghai, China.
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Taylor Swift performs onstage during the 2014 American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Nov. 23, 2014 in Los Angeles, Ca.
Michael Tran—FilmMagic/Getty Images
Taylor Swift performs at the 2014 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Nov. 23, 2014 in Los Angeles, Ca.
Christopher Polk—Getty Images
Taylor Swift performs on The Voice in 2014.
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Taylor Swift performs during the 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at Earl's Court exhibition centre on Dec. 2, 2014 in London, England.
Dimitrios Kambouris—Getty Images for Victoria's Secr
Taylor Swift performs onstage during KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2014 at Staples Center on December 5, 2014 in Los Angeles, Ca.
Christopher Polk—Getty Images
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