Taylor Swift has once again narrowly missed out on being crowned Billboard’s “Greatest Pop Star,” finishing at No. 2 on the magazine’s Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 list for the second consecutive year. While the global superstar climbed one spot compared to last year’s ranking, she still fell just short of claiming the top honor.
The result is particularly surprising given Swift’s blockbuster 2025, a year many fans considered career-defining. During the year, she released her best-selling album The Life of a Showgirl, completed the record-shattering Eras Tour, and achieved one of her most personal victories by regaining ownership of her original master recordings.
Interestingly, the artist who edged out Swift for the No. 1 spot was neither last year’s winner nor runner-up. In 2024, Kendrick Lamar topped the list with Sabrina Carpenter at No. 2. This year, both slipped behind Swift, landing at No. 4 and No. 5 respectively, while a new name claimed the crown. Following Swift at No. 2 were Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter, and the KPop Demon Hunters cast, highlighting the fierce competition among music’s biggest names.
Billboard editors emphasized that Swift’s No. 2 ranking reflects both longevity and impact. Over the past decade, she has never fallen outside the top five on the publication’s annual list. In 2025, her influence extended far beyond chart performance. In May, Swift finalized the purchase of her original masters, ending a long-running dispute that began with the 2019 sale of Big Machine Records. The move sparked renewed interest in her catalog, with Reputation surging back into the Billboard 200 top five.
Her re-recorded albums—Fearless (Taylor’s Version), Red (Taylor’s Version), Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), and 1989 (Taylor’s Version)—continued to redefine industry norms, all debuting at No. 1. Several “From the Vault” tracks also topped the Billboard Hot 100, proving her unmatched ability to turn past work into present-day chart events.
While Swifties may be disappointed she didn’t reclaim the top spot, Swift’s No. 2 finish further cements her status as one of the most dominant and enduring forces in pop music history.