Taylor Swift knows a thing or two about shaking off her critics and showing what she’s made of.
Swift — who most recently released three albums in the space of a year — was awarded the Global Icon BRIT award on Tuesday and delivered a moving, defiant speech about overcoming negativity and criticism.
This year’s BRITs ceremony at London’s O2 Arena was the first large-scale indoor event with a 4,000-strong live audience since lockdown measures began lifting in the UK.
Addressing new artists and viewers at home “who have goals and ambitions and dreams for themselves,” Swift spoke about the types of adversity they can expect to face.
“I need you to hear me when I say that there is no career path that comes free of negativity. If you’re being met with resistance, that probably means that you’re doing something new,” she said. “If you’re experiencing turbulence or pressure, that probably means you’re rising. And there might be times when you put your whole heart and soul into something and it is met with cynicism or skepticism.”
Swift urged viewers not to let that crush them, and to instead let it fuel them. “Because we live in a world where anyone has the right to say anything that they want about you at any time but just please remember that you have the right to prove them wrong.”