Taylor x Travis: In Every Life

artist of the year

February 4th, 2024
Taylor's POV

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Taylor Swift is in the house!" Trevor Noah announced as I was lead through the room towards my seat, and I directed a little wave towards him as we wove through the room. "Now, take a look at this." Trevor motioned towards me. "As Taylor moves through the room, the local economy around the tables improve. You see that?" The crowd burst into laughter and I joined them, loving the way he gently poked fun at me. He did it so much better than that joke of a host a couple weeks ago.

"Very Tortured Poets." Jack greeted me at the table, and I shushed him as he gave me a hug. I didn't want people overhearing anything. We didn't even know if the album was being announced tonight or next week in Tokyo. It all came down to the awards. 

I chatted with him and Lana as we waited for the show to start, hiding our conversations behind little black fans. I'd found it kind of hilarious how people had been trying to read my lips out in public, but Tree had made me take measures to prevent that. It was kind of annoying, but I knew it would be worth it to keep my conversations private. Some of the lip readers had gotten very close to actually getting my words accurate.

The show was incredible. I got to my feet during every performance, clapping and singing along to every single word. When I looked around and saw that I was the only one on my feet, it disappointed me a little but didn't deter me in the slightest. I was often the only one up on my feet, and I knew I got a lot of hate for it, but I knew the artists on stage appreciated the gesture, and I simply didn't care for the opinions of people who hated on my actions. I was having fun. And Tree encouraged me to keep doing it.

And then the moment came.

"The winner, of the album of the year award, is..." Celine Dion dragged it out, and I glanced at Jack. I'd never wanted to win an award so much in my life, but I also wasn't expecting it to be handed to me on a silver platter. As incredible as it would be to set the record, I knew every other album nominated deserved to win. My hands balled into fists under the table as the whole room waited, holding their breath. "The one, the only, Miss Taylor Swift!"

The room erupted, but I sat there, a little stunned. Me? She'd said my name? 

"Dude!" Jack nudged my shoulder. You did it!"

"Oh my god!" I mouthed as I stood up, turning to Jack. The screen lit up with the Midnights picture as we did our handshake, and then he hugged me tightly. "Come up with me. We did this." I told him, and he nodded. We started making our way towards the stage, but then I stopped. "Lana?" I turned, searching for her. Then my eyes landed on where she was sitting, and I held my hand out towards her. "You too." She was on this album too, and had made it ten times better.

"It's your award." She shook her head, not moving. I walked back to her and grabbed her hand. "I don't want to take anything away from you." Lana insisted.

"You made this with me." I told her. "You deserve this. Please."

She smiled and nodded, rising to her feet. Hand in hand, we made our way up the stage. Her and Jack shifted back to let me have my moment as Celine handed me the award, and I hugged her. She whispered a congratulations in my ear, patting my shoulder as she moved off to give me access to the microphone. Quickly glancing down to make sure my dress was still perfect, I smiled out at the crowd.

"Wow." I laughed, and my laughter carried on through the room. "Umm, first of all I just want to say that Midnights is an album that has meant the absolute world to me, and I can't believe how much you all supported it. Thank you so much to Jack, my partner in crime, and Lana for making this album so much more special." I glanced over to the two of them, and Lana blew me a kiss. "To be the first person to ever win this award four times, it's such an honor." I took a breath, my eyes looking out over the room, meeting as many pairs of eyes as I could. Another round of clapping sounded through the room, a couple people standing up. I smiled, looking out into the room. Then my eyes landed on the table I'd been sitting at, at the man who stood up to clap for me. My mouth dropped open as he waved at me, blowing a kiss. "Oh hey babe." I laughed, giving him a little wave back, and the stands of people roared in response. Swallowing, I composed myself. I had a job to do. "And, I also thought this might be the perfect time to let you know..." The crowd went nuts, realizing I was about to do what I'd done once before. "That my brand new album will be out this April 19th. It's called..." My voice faltered when my eyes landed on an all too familiar set of shoulders, lifting to see those gorgeous eyes I'd missed so much these last few days. I couldn't talk if I was looking at him. Swallowing, I tried to compose myself and finish my speech. "It's called The Tortured Poets Department. I'm gonna go post the cover right now for you guys backstage. Thank you so much."