Taylor Swift Accepts ‘Billboard’ Woman of the Year Award

Having recently captured the top prizes at the 2011 CMAs and AMAs, country singer and songwriter extraordinaire Taylor Swift was honored with Billboard magazine’s 2011 Woman of the Year Award this Friday and the star did little to hide her excitement.

“I’ve been smiling for like, a few weeks straight, cause all these amazing things keep happening, like the CMAs and the AMAs and the Grammy nominations and now this,” Swift gushed to Access Hollywood. “It’s crazy!”

Among the achievements that led Taylor to her Billboard honor the was best-selling performance of her third album “Speak Now,” which has sold more than 3.7 million copies and generated hits like “Mean,” as well as her philanthropic efforts and her status as a role model.

In addition to raising money and awareness for causes such as clean water, literacy, and disaster relief, the soon-to-be 22-year-old has also donated more than $1 million of her own funds to charity in the past year.

Speaking about the impact she has on others, Taylor said:

“One of the things that is a huge part of making music and putting it out into the world is understanding that you now have a role in shaping the lives of the next generation… there is a big responsibility and I take it very seriously.”

Besides Swift, hip-hop empress Nicki Minaj was also honored by Billboard as their Rising Star – a title that hits home for the “Super Bass” rapper.

“This [honor] is a big deal because everything that I do is kind of geared towards being on Billboard,” Nicki told Access Hollywood. “So, for them — of all people — to recognize me and say that I’m a rising star, it makes me feel great, like I’m doing something right.”

Swift was in agreement with Billboard’s decision to recognize Minjah. Speaking of the rapper, Taylor revealed:

“She’s one of my favorite artists to come along in the past couple of years, and Super Bass is my favorite song of the year.”

via USA Today