Taylor Swift couldn't attend the 2024 Billboard Music Awards, but she had a message for her fans watching the event.
“I just want to say hi and thank you to the Billboard Awards and my fans. Billboard is counting your engagement, tracking what you listen to and the albums you're passionate about,” Taylor, 35, conveyed in a prerecorded acceptance speech played on Thursday, December 12. “I see these as fan awards because you are the ones who support our albums and attend our concerts.”
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She added, “And with everything that's happened with the Eras tour and The Tortured Poets Department, I have to express my gratitude. It means so much to me that you cherish the things I've created. This feels like the best early birthday gift you could have given me. So, thank you very much. I absolutely love it. It's exactly what I wanted.”
Instead of being at the event, the “So High School” singer spent her evening with young admirers at a local children’s hospital in Kansas City. Videos from the hospital showed her interacting with some of the patients, including a young girl who mentioned she was a fan of Taylor’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce.
“I like Travis now,” the girl remarked to Taylor.
Taylor responded, “Yes, me too. Absolutely.”
Another video showed Taylor creating a TikTok video with another young patient as they sang her hit “Bad Blood.” Taylor theatrically pulled back a curtain before stepping forward to lip-synch the lyrics.
Kevin Winter / Getty Images Although the “All Too Well” artist couldn't attend the Billboard Music Awards in person, she was still nominated in several categories.
Taylor received nominations in 17 different categories this year, including Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album for 1989 (Taylor’s Version), The Tortured Poets Department, Top Billboard Global 200 Song, Top Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Hot 100 Songwriter, Top Hot 100 Producer, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Billboard Global 200 Artist, Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Artist, Top Radio Song, and Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Song for “Cruel Summer,” as well as Top Collaboration for “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone.
She won in 10 categories: Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Hot 100 Songwriter, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Billboard Global 200 Artist, Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Artist and Top Billboard 200 Album for The Tortured Poets Department.
Taylor’s victories in 2024 made her the most awarded artist in the history of the Billboard Music Awards, surpassing Drake, with whom she was previously tied before the latest ceremony.
The “Alchemy” singer is expected to take a break in the coming months after concluding her successful Eras tour after 21 months of performances.