Second year running, the global superstar is ranked No. 2, sparking debate over who tops her.
Taylor Swift, one of the most dominant forces in contemporary music, has once again been denied the title of Billboard’s “Greatest Pop Star” a distinction that continues to elude her despite another year of commercial and cultural success. For the second consecutive year, the pop phenomenon finished just short of the top spot, this time ranked No. 2 in Billboard’s 2025 editorial ranking of the year’s biggest pop artists.
Fans and industry observers had high expectations for Swift after a remarkable run in 2025 that included the blockbuster release of The Life of a Showgirl, which dominated the Billboard 200 and shattered commercial records. The album became the year’s top Billboard 200 album and marked Swift’s fifth year‑end chart leader, underscoring her unparalleled market impact.
Yet editorial lists don’t always follow pure sales figures. In the case of Billboard’s “Greatest Pop Stars of 2025” rankings, Swift’s meteoric achievements including massive streaming totals and historic chart performances were weighed alongside broader cultural influence, editorial criteria, and timing, leaving her just shy of the No. 1 position as the year closed.
Swift’s 2025 was far from quiet. She continued to cement her legacy with one of the biggest commercial comebacks in recent music history. The Life of a Showgirl sold millions of copies in its first week and topped the Billboard 200 year‑end chart, reinforcing her status as a chart‑topping artist.
She also achieved monumental milestones in streaming and sales that few other artists have matched, even by industry standards. Yet, Billboard’s year‑end editorial takes into account a variety of factors beyond raw numbers, including cultural resonance, timing of releases, and broader industry impact and this year’s evaluation placed another artist ahead of Swift in the pop hierarchy.
The news that Swift finished in second rather than first has reignited conversation among fans and commentators. Many point to her extraordinary commercial success and global reach as evidence that she deserved the top billing. Others highlight that editorial lists often reflect subjective choices rather than purely quantifiable metrics like sales or streams.
Industry insiders note that the ranking system differs from objective weekly and yearly charts; Billboard editorial picks can reflect broader narratives about influence and overall cultural footprint. Whether or not that fully captures Swift’s impact remains a hot topic among music critics and fans alike.
Despite not claiming the greatest pop star crown this year, Swift’s influence remains undeniable. She has broken records across multiple decades, expanded her global touring footprint, and consistently dominated charts around the world. Her career illustrates a rare blend of artistic innovation and commercial success one that few artists, past or present, have matched.
As the conversation around this year’s rankings continues, Swift’s position as a cultural icon looks secure, even if the top editorial accolade slipped through her fingers once again.
