Taylor Swift Stages of Stardom Photo Gallery

Stages of Stardom: Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift burst onto the music scene in 2006 with her debut single, titled 'Tim McGraw,' followed by her self-titled album that quickly went platinum! For the 16 year old it was pretty apparent that a wonderful music career was unfolding.

Taylor's style early in her career was as whimsical as her music, as demonstrated here with her flowing dress and cowboy boots!

Stages of Stardom: Taylor Swift

Just about every big singer has sung the national anthem at a sporting event at some point in their career. In 2007 Taylor Swift participated in opening day events at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles by singing the national anthem.

Those boots and that dress look very familiar to us ... oh wait! She wore that SAME ensemble (in different colors) in the previous picture, which was snapped almost a year prior! She must have really liked this look!

Stages of Stardom: Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift's first album received tons of praise from critics as well as awards from the music industry, including the Breakthrough Video of the Year award at the 2007 CMT Music Awards.

One of the great things about Taylor's personal style is how youthful it is. She manages to look cute and well put together without trying to dress too old for her age.

Stages of Stardom: Taylor Swift

With her great start pushing her along, the 2008 CMT Music Awards brought us a much more confident and mature Taylor Swift. She was busy preparing her second album, 'Fearless,' and getting ready to let the world see just how talented she was.

What we loved most about this more mature Taylor was the evolution of her sense of style. She looked absolutely stunning in this raspberry dress and sassy raspberry peep-toe shoes!

Stages of Stardom: Taylor Swift

In mid 2008, Taylor Swift released 'Beautiful Eyes,' an EP sold exclusively at Wal-Mart. The album debuted at the top of Billboard's Top Country Albums chart, bumping her own self-titled album down to the #2 spot!

While Taylor was busy owning the charts, she was also owning the red carpet. Her lady in red look for the Academy of Country Music Awards was equal parts gorgeous and refined.

Stages of Stardom: Taylor Swift

The MTV Music Awards moment that sent the world abuzz! Taylor was accepting the award for Best Female Video when Kanye West blindsided her, and everyone else, by grabbing the microphone from her and proclaiming that Beyonce should have won the award. The crazy antic was added to the long list of crazy things Kanye has done in his career, and Taylor was given love from Beyonce later in the show!

With her tiny frame, there isn't much Taylor can't wear. Even this drapey, sequined dress is flattering on her.

Stages of Stardom: Taylor Swift

The Kanye/MTV VMA incident followed Taylor to the 2009 CMA Awards, when Little Jimmy Dickens stole the microphone from award recipient, Brad Paisley, and announced that Taylor's video was better. Kanye West called Taylor to apologize and it's been reported that she accepted the apology.

The gold, form fitting, bustier top of this dress looked stunning against Taylor's lightly bronzed skin! But what we really see in this photo is her "fearless" side, with her fierce pose and determined facial expression.

Stages of Stardom: Taylor Swift

2010 opened for Taylor Swift much the way 2009 ended, with her accepting even more praise and awards. This time she accepted the People's Choice Award for Favorite Female Artist.

If we had to pick a FAVORITE Taylor look this one would tie with the raspberry ensemble from the 2008 CMT Music Awards. The dress is simply gorgeous and oh-so flattering on Taylor. And the silver detail of the dress shines nicely with her silver, peep-toe, platform pumps. Her slight knee bend shows that she might be a little uncomfortable showing this much leg, but we say, "flaunt those legs girl!"

Stages of Stardom: Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift was part of a truly star-studded group that came out to perform in support of raising money and awareness for the earthquake that rocked Haiti in early 2010. Helping others and supporting others is something Taylor feels strongly about, as she has a long history of donating large sums of money to great causes.

With the importance of the earthquake and raising money for the people of Haiti at the forefront of the night's focus, Taylor opted for a very basic and demure ensemble. We agree with her choice to let her music be the focus of the evening!

Stages of Stardom: Taylor Swift

At the 52nd GRAMMY Awards in 2010 Taylor Swift finally took home GRAMMY gold, four of them to be exact! Taylor won Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song for 'White Horse,' as well as Album of the Year and Best Country Album for 'Fearless.' But, during a photo session of her with the awards, she managed to drop one by accident and it shattered. Have no fear, GRAMMY replaced the award and we're sure it's proudly displayed somewhere in Taylor's home!

This ensemble caused conflicted feelings for us. In some ways we really love it, the color, the sequins, the sharp lines ... and then there's just something about the sharp lines that makes us not love it!

Stages of Stardom: Taylor Swift