Taylor Swift may not have taken home any awards at , but she was still one of the most talked-about people on the night.

Viral clips of her enthusiastically dancing to nearly every performance, including Sabrina Carpenter’s, dominated social media, cementing “Awards Show Taylor” as a cultural phenomenon.

This marks a shift from the narrative surrounding Swift at last year’s Grammys, where she faced criticism for announcing the release of her album , when winning Best Pop Vocal Album for Midnights.

“Announcing an album at the grammys and then winning nothing for it the next year is so crazy,” said Kitty Kat on X.

“It’s like she’s the popular girl that wins almost everything and detracts from decorum when it’s other’s turn to have a shot,” one comment read hitting out at the star.

While some online critics have accused Swift of drawing too much attention to herself, the backlash has been noticeably more muted, with many instead celebrating her infectious energy.

Pundits Jess Lucero and ASHMAC, who covered the Grammys, shared what people loved about Swift’s behavior with Regalrumination.com, while another entertainment writer, Tatyana Arrington, shared how the popstar’s memorable moves even won over non-Swifties.

Lucero (), a TikTok radio and SiriusXM host, captured one of the most viral moments of the night: Swift dancing solo in her red mini dress during Carpenter’s performance. “Social media has gone crazy for the video of Taylor dancing in support of Sabrina,” Lucero told Regalrumination.com. “I went into the event knowing that I wanted to keep my eye on Taylor during other people’s performances. She’s notorious for dancing during the entire Grammys every year.”

Lucero noted that Swift’s behavior serves as a source of encouragement for other artists: “It’s really cool to see because it gives the performers someone else to feed off of in the crowd. Sabrina’s performance was early on in the night, so that might’ve been why the majority of people were sitting. But Taylor sent her full support. Taylor truly shows what it means to be a ‘girl’s girl’ at these events, and behind that, an artist’s artist.”

@Miss_AshG shared a meme that encapsulated Swift’s fun on vibes X: “Everybody else at the grammys: am I gonna win am I gonna win am I gonna win am I gonna win am I gonna win

“Taylor Swift: Whooooo what a fun party!!”

“I don’t know, man. The Grammys made me fall in love with . She seems like cool person. I don’t know why I’ve disliked her so much. I might be a Swiftie now. I just might be,” said another X user who had a change of heart about the popstar.

The Rise of “Awards Show Taylor”

Swift’s enthusiastic presence at award shows has become increasingly mainstream. While Swifties have always adored her unfiltered reactions—as seen at the 2023 VMAs, where she partied with drinks in hand—this year, even casual fans and non-Swifties joined in on the praise.

Entertainment journalist Tatyana Arrington believes this is because people are starting to recognize how much fun Swift actually is. “Taylor seems to be a genuine and supportive person who, at the end of the day, loves music and a good drink (or two) at award shows,” Arrington told Regalrumination.com. “Sometimes her fans get in the way of people seeing how fun Taylor actually is because they can be very chart-obsessed. Taylor actually acted the exact same way at the VMAs last year.”

Why Did This Resonate So Much?

Eleni Andrew, senior account executive at MG Empower, attributes Swift’s appeal to her authenticity.

She told Regalrumination.com: “I believe what people love the most is the fact she’s a ‘girl’s girl,’ always cheering on her friends in the industry, even when they’re her competition. She stayed positive, danced, and enjoyed the night without the ego element we so often see at these events. Despite being one of the biggest stars in the world, she remains a fangirl over other artists, which makes her even more connected to an audience that praises a humanized approach to fame.”

Mike Fahey, CEO of Fahey Communications, acknowledged the mixed reactions to Swift’s presence but pointed out that her energy is a welcome contrast to the usual award-show stiffness.

He told Regalrumination.com: “Much of this behavior is seen by fans as refreshing, with them appreciating her ability to enjoy herself and live in the moment.

“Some viewers have accused her of seeking attention or usurping the moments of other artists. This backlash ties into a larger discussion about what celebrities should (and shouldn’t) do at award shows. Is it really any different from clapping for a performance if you’re dashingly enthusiastic and maybe just crossing the line into performativity?”

Memorable Moments Beyond the Dance Floor

Beyond her dance moves, Swift was fully immersed in the night’s celebrations. She was seen sharing a toast with Jay-Z after Beyoncé’s win for Cowboy Carter, playfully catching and wearing Janelle Monáe’s blazer during a performance, and dancing with Alicia Keys’ young son, Genesis.

ASHMAC, a journalist covering the Grammys, described Swift’s presence as uplifting: “Taylor Swift embodied the kind of energy you’d want to be around at the Grammys or any award show, reminding us of the power in celebrating others. She looked like she was having the time of her life. Honestly, I might just become now.”

Annie Eifler of Gulf Coast Entertainment praised Swift for her warmth: “Taylor is simply showing nice manners and being the kind of guest we all wish we had at our own parties—warm, inviting, kind, and encouraging. Let’s all take a cue and bring that kind of energy to our Super Bowl Sunday parties!”