Taylor Swift celebrates her 36th birthday today, December 13, with an unusual footnote attached. For the first time since she was a teenager, her birthday arrives in a year when she is not nominated for a Grammy Award. It is a striking break in one of pop music’s longest-running streaks, but it has nothing to do with snubs, backlash, or shifting industry sentiment.
Instead, the explanation is procedural. Swift simply released no eligible music during the Grammy Awards’ qualifying window.
Why Taylor Swift was not eligible for the 2026 Grammys
The eligibility period for the 68th Grammy Awards – the ceremony taking place on February 1, 2026 – ran from August 31, 2024, through August 30, 2025. During that span, Swift did not put out an album, single, or music video that could be submitted for consideration.
Her latest project, The Life of a Showgirl, along with its lead single The Fate of Ophelia, arrived on October 3. That release date placed the album just over a month beyond the cutoff, automatically pushing it into contention for the following Grammy cycle.
A run that began at 17
Swift’s absence is notable because of how consistent her Grammy presence has been. She has been nominated or included every year since 2007. Even in years when she did not land a nomination, she still appeared in multiple categories through collaborations or eligibility overlaps.
Across her career, Swift has amassed 58 Grammy nominations and 14 wins, cementing her status as one of the most decorated artists of her generation. In 2026 she may attend as a performer or presenter.
How Grammy nominations are decided
Grammy nominations begin with submissions from Recording Academy members and record labels. More than 350 industry experts review entries to confirm eligibility and category placement, without judging artistic merit.
Voting members then select nominees within their areas of expertise. Final winners are determined by a second round of voting, with results independently tallied by Deloitte. Here are the nominations for 2026.
For Swift, the pause is temporary. Her latest album is already positioned for a return to the ballot next year.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
