Taylor Swift Urges Artists to Protect Their Craft

Pop star warns the internet 'will attempt to kill' artists' dreams

Mar. 27, 2026 at 4:06am

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During her acceptance speech for Artist of the Year at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, Taylor Swift offered advice to fellow creators, urging them to nurture their passions and 'give yourself time to make mistakes' away from the constant online feedback. Swift warned that 'anything you feed the internet, it will attempt to kill' when it comes to artists' dreams.

Why it matters

Swift's comments highlight the challenges artists face in the digital age, where instant feedback and online scrutiny can potentially stifle the creative process. Her message encourages fellow musicians and creators to focus on honing their craft without being overly concerned about external validation or criticism.

The details

In her speech, Swift recalled how songwriting started as a hobby for her as a child, before evolving into a full-fledged artistic passion that she was able to develop privately, away from public view. She urged the audience of 'ambitious, cool, smart, awesome people who have dreams' to give themselves time to make mistakes and nurture their crafts, warning that 'anything you feed the internet, it will attempt to kill' when it comes to their artistic ambitions.

  • Taylor Swift accepted the Artist of the Year award at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 27, 2026.

The players

Taylor Swift

A popular American singer-songwriter who has won numerous awards over her career, including 11 Grammy Awards.

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What they’re saying

“Give yourself time to make mistakes. Give yourself time to hone your craft. I'm a firm believer that anything you feed your mind, it will internalize. Anything you feed the internet, it will attempt to kill. And I don't want that for your dreams.”

— Taylor Swift

The takeaway

Swift's message emphasizes the importance of protecting the creative process from the constant scrutiny and feedback of the digital age. Her advice encourages fellow artists to prioritize nurturing their passions and honing their crafts, rather than being overly concerned about online reactions, in order to preserve their artistic dreams.