Taylor Swift's IQ Is Estimated at 136

If you were to dissect the formula of modern fame, the blueprint might look a lot like Taylor Swift. In a world where celebrities often rise and fall with the tides of public opinion, Taylor Swift has defied expectations.

A Multi-Talented Star

With an impressive estimated IQ of 136, Taylor Swift proves she’s not just a pop sensation but also a brilliant mind with a keen understanding of both music and business. These qualities, combined with her charm, have even impressed the father of her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Known for crafting songs that capture emotions and tell compelling stories, she has solidified her status as one of the most influential artists of her generation. From heartwarming hits like "Love Story" to the introspective "Cardigan," Taylor Swift has seamlessly crossed genres.

The numbers speak for themselves. Her rise to fame was marked by her award from the Country Music Association in 2007. That was still when artists depended on physical album sales. Fast forward to 2023, and Spotify named her the most-played artist, highlighting her ability to remain relevant. In 2024, she became the first person in history to win a Grammy for Album of the Year 4 times.

Her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, released in April 2024, shot to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts, breaking streaming records and selling an incredible 3.49 million copies in the US, 314k in the UK, and 108k in Canada, as of January 2025. This achievement ties her with Jay-Z for the most No. 1 albums by a solo artist. Her career started when she was 14 years old, and she hasn't slowed down ever since. She has become an inspiration for other artists in the industry with her success serving as an example. She inspires artists to stand up for themselves. For example, in 2019, she publicly criticized music executive Scooter Braun for acquiring her master recordings without her consent. She went further to speak against what she termed as “the unregulated world of private equity”, emphasizing the importance of artists owning their work. Moreover, Swift has taught the music industry that versatility is crucial for success in the industry. But above all, she has shown the need to make calculated moves throughout one's career, so that it doesn't stagnate.

Despite her monumental success, Taylor remains grounded. She’s always quick to thank her fans, recognizing their love and support as the key to her longevity.

Strong connection with fans

And here's what is truly interesting about Taylor Swift. She knows how to connect with her fans like no one else. From re-recording her albums to reclaim her master recordings, to releasing The Eras Tour Movie (Taylor’s Version) in stages across multiple platforms, each with exclusive content, she demonstrates an unparalleled understanding of her audience. In fact, her connection with fans is one of her biggest strengths.

On her social media platforms, she will occasionally like, comment, and repost fan content. Even better, she occasionally hosts listening parties at her home where fans get a sneak peek of her upcoming albums. It doesn't get more personal than that. She also sends out gift hampers that often come with a personalized message. Even better, she has mastered the art of making fans think that they know her personally. And as a result, she occasionally confronts bullies who come after them.

Her direct communication with fans through social media – she has close to 300 million followers on Instagram alone –, along with secret listening sessions where she invites select fans to hear her music before release, keeps her audience feeling personally connected to her. Alexandra Gold, a clinical fellow in psychology at MGH and Harvard Medical School, explains in the Harvard Gazette that this connection creates a “strong social and emotional bond” between Swift and her fans, which is why her fanbase, the Swifties, is so fiercely loyal.

Loved by high achievers

Demonstrating that intelligent minds gravitate toward her work, Taylor Swift is a top favorite among students with high GPAs (3.5-4.0), who often listen to her music during study sessions. While classical music is often linked to focus, many high-achieving students turn to Taylor’s music for inspiration. Along with artists like SZA and The Weeknd, her songs resonate deeply, helping listeners unwind and stay motivated.

A survey conducted at College Rover found that 30% of the college students love listening to Taylor Swift during their study sessions. And these are students with a GPA higher than 3.5. According to a student at the college, Mali Lopez, Taylor Swift's depth and ability to switch between different genres is at “Shakespearean levels.” Particularly. These students love Taylor Swift's folklore and instrumental covers because these are not too distracting and boost the mood significantly. Classical music has a negligible impact on concentration and memory.

In short, Taylor Swift is living proof that you can have it all: extraordinary talent, sharp intelligence, and the ability to connect with millions. Her high IQ is just the cherry on top of an already stellar career, cementing her status as a powerhouse in both music and business.

5 Reasons Why Taylor Swift Is Considered Highly Intelligent

• High IQ Score: Taylor Swift has an estimated IQ of 136, a score that reflects high intelligence. This is evident in her singing and songwriting, as well as her musical talents. Swift is known for playing the guitar, but she can also play the electric guitar, ukelele, piano, and banjo! She's an avid painter as well
• Songwriting Excellence: Swift's songwriting skills have been recognized with numerous awards, including 14 Grammy Awards. Her accomplishments showcase her ability to craft poignant lyrics and compelling music narratives.
• Strategic Business Decisions: By re-recording her old albums, Swift has carefully navigated the music business to maintain control over her work. This is evidence of strategic planning and smart business acumen.
• Intellectual Curiosity: Swift's broad knowledge base and diverse interests, from history to politics, reflect a deep intellectual curiosity and a continuous desire to learn and grow. She not only narrates her own life experiences, but she can also empathize with others and express their emotions.
• Master of Narrative: Her adeptness at narrative construction is not only evident in her songwriting but also in her music videos, which often incorporate complex storytelling elements and vivid imagery.

Do Taylor Swift's career moves demonstrate intelligence?

Swift crafted several hits when she was a teenager, including 'Teardrops on My Guitar,' 'Love Story,' and 'You Belong With Me. ’ Since then, she has navigated the music industry, leaving a long-lasting impact. Swift has been at the forefront, setting industry standards, fighting for artists' rights, and crafting fan engagement strategies. She has maintained a great public image despite the criticism she receives. She also handles public pressures with unmatched grace.

Like every artist, her career has faced a lot of challenges. This is especially so because technology has changed the landscape of the music industry, bringing about trends such as digital media and streaming services. When Taylor Swift started her music career, digital media and streaming were not yet popular. For instance, when she produced her first album in 2006, she relied on CDs for music consumption. Fast forward to 2011, when Spotify was launched in the US, and Taylor immediately adapted. Now, it is critical to note that Swift did not like streaming platforms initially. She claimed that artists were being paid too little. As a result, she pulled her music from Spotify in 2014. 3 years later, artists had negotiated better pay, and she made a comeback to the platform.

Her boldest career move, one which perhaps solidifies her place as one of the smartest artists, is when she re-recorded her old albums. This bold move enabled her to reclaim ownership of these songs, which highlights her strategic thinking. In 2019, her former label, Big Machine Records, was sold, which meant that her old albums would also be part of the deal. She was not given an opportunity to purchase her craft, a move that she publicly criticized. So, she decided to re-record these albums fresh. She didn't just record them as they were; she updated them using the knowledge she had gained from the industry. Industry experts praised her for this move, calling her an independent woman who is focused on succeeding in a male-dominated world. Her ability to adapt masterfully and her business-savvy mind are a true depiction of her intellect.

Her versatility is also a great indication of her intellect. She has an uncanny ability to shift from pop, country, and indie folk. She started off with country music and later got into pop with her album “Red.” She made her switch to indie folk in 2020 with the release of “Evermore” and “Folklore.”

Is Taylor Swift business savvy?

Taylor Swift's high IQ has enabled her to navigate the business world with ease. That is why she is among Forbes' highest paid celebrities, with a net worth pegged at $1.1 billion. Swift can be a reliable source of information when it comes to topics such as protecting intellectual property, branding, and increasing fan engagement.

One thing that highlights her business-savvy mind is her focus on branding. She has been able to build an appealing personal brand from the ground up. Her fans, also known as “swifties,” feel very connected to her, due to her lyrics, which touch on many personal experiences. She knows that people don't just buy her music; they want to feel a personal connection to the personality. That is also part of the reason why she has been able to have a universal appeal. Her concerts are filled with entire multigenerational families. From teenage girls to academics, all have found something to consume from Swift's music.

Swift has been known to send out merchandise to fans as a way of increasing engagement. She also gives backstage passes to some fans. While this may seem like generosity on the surface, it is a branding strategy. It is an emotional investment that turns these fans into lifelong supporters. It is also a way of turning fans into advocates. It is a marketing strategy where these fans will talk about her brand to others. Taylor Swift's branding strategies have been underway for a whole decade, which means it is not short-term PR. Highly intelligent people come up with long-term strategies to bring their visions to life.

Taylor Swift's business-savvy mind has also helped her get into the film industry. In 2023, she decided to produce a film of her Eras Tour, which rose to become the highest-earning concert film in history. The film earned a total of $92.8 million in the first week, and has now reached over $2 billion. Swift knew her fan base would love the film, which is a demonstration of her knowledge of human nature.

How Does Taylor Swift's IQ Compare to the Rest of the World?

Taylor Swift, with an IQ of 136, ranks among the top 0.8% smartest people in the world. She's not just talented but also one of the most intelligent musicians in the world. This score would qualify her for elite high-IQ societies like Mensa International and Intertel. Mensa requires a minimum of 130 IQ – using IQ tests with a 15 standard deviation – while Intertel requires a 135 IQ.

To put this in perspective, the average person has an IQ of about 100, while scores above 130 are considered very high and represent the top quartile of the population. IQ scores equal to or greater than 160 represent the top 0.03% (99.997th percentile). An average person has an IQ ranging from 80 to 100, therefore, Taylor Swift's IQ is not average.

Did Taylor Swift go to school?

A person's academic achievements are a good way of deciphering someone's IQ score, so it's imperative to look into Swift's academic achievements. She went to Wyndcroft Elementary School in Pennsylvania and completed her high school in Hendersonville High School, Tennessee. She graduated from high school with an impressive GPA of 4.0, according to Rolling Stone. Now, it is important to note that Swift was juggling school and her young music career. Surprisingly, when she was graduating from college, she was already on tour for her first album. This demonstrates an ability to be flexible and adaptable even at a young age.

Swift didn't get a chance to go to college as her career had already taken off. However, in an interview, she revealed that she had wanted to go to college but couldn't at the time. The video's ending for the song “Love Story” was about what she imagined her college experience would look like.

She received an honorary doctor of fine arts degree from New York University (NYU) in 2022. She was awarded this degree as a recognition of her impact in the music industry and her advocacy efforts. NYU named her one of the most influential musicians of this generation. In her speech, she offered great advice to the 19,000 graduates and encouraged them to keep trying til they achieve their dreams. She was also grateful to NYU for, in her own words, “technically, on paper at least, a doctor.”

Taylor Swift is passionate about education, and she even goes out of her way to support struggling students with their tuition. For instance, in 2020, she helped Vitoria Mario, an African-American 18-year-old student with a dream of getting a mathematics degree from the University of Warwick. Swift came across Vitoria’s GoFundMe page and left a staggering $30,000 for her tuition. To show that Taylor Swift was intentional about it, she left a message for her saying, “Vitoria, I came across your story online and am so inspired by your drive and dedication to turning your dreams into reality. I want to gift you the rest of your goal amount. Good luck with everything you do! Love, Taylor” Vitoria was not the only student Swift had helped; in 2019, she had helped Ayesha Khurram from Toronto with over $6,000 for her college education. She also left a personalized message for Ayesha.

Taylor Swift as a course

Taylor Swift's intellect has made her a topic of discussion in colleges. Yet, they are not teaching students how to become Taylor Swift. It's more of Swift-inspired courses discussing topics such as her lyrics and the societal impact she has left. For instance, Stanford offered a ten-week course titled “The Last Great American Songwriter," where they dissected Swift's career through the eras. This course was centered around her storytelling techniques in each of her albums and how they fit into the bigger storyline. They intersected the motifs, themes, and literary references used in each of these songs.

It is not only Stanford that has offered these swift-inspired courses. Other prestigious institutions such as Harvard, the University of Texas, and UC Berkeley have also taken up this trend. For instance, the University of Florida offered honor students a chance to study Taylor Swift's role in shaping popular music. They also studied other popular female musicians, such as Aretha Franklin and Dolly Parton.

According to the educators, having Taylor Swift's name will immediately grab students' attention. A senior lecturer at the University of Florida said that students have an easier time comparing intellectually demanding texts such as those of Chaucer to Swift's relatable content. It also gives them a chance to tackle a difficult subject through a relatable subject, such as Swift. According to Elizabeth Scala, a professor at the University of Texas, Taylor Swift is the switch she uses to convince students to take up certain courses- courses that they would otherwise deem unimportant.

Swift's receiving academic attention is a reflection of her intellectual depth as an artist. Her work has been compared to classical poetry. Her ability to adapt and trigger emotions has been subject to discussion. The courses are not focused on her stardom, they examine her influence, songwriting, and storytelling. Swift is a topic of discussion on topics such as feminism, literature, and pop culture. The courses are a true reflection of her literary force.

Is Taylor Swift The Smartest Musician?

Taylor Swift is proof that a high IQ can help you navigate in career fields where few succeed. Her ability to craft emotionally intensive narratives through creativity has not only resonated with millions but also intellect that goes beyond mere pop stardom.

At the far end of the spectrum, we find Brian May, whose staggering IQ of 170 bridges the gap between rock royalty and academic excellence. As the guitarist of Queen, his musical genius is undeniable, but it's his parallel career as an astrophysicist that truly sets him apart. May’s brilliance became evident early on when, as a young man, he built both his own telescope and electric guitar. Just days after earning a bachelor’s degree in physics, he was already onstage with Pink Floyd in 1968!

Moving on, we encounter Cardi B, whose IQ of 95 reminds us that traditional measures of intelligence don't always capture the full picture of a person's capabilities. Her meteoric rise from stripper to rap superstar demonstrates a keen understanding of public appeal and business acumen – a form of intelligence that has proven just as valuable in the entertainment industry as any academic score. Like Taylor Swift, Cardi B delivered a very powerful endorsement for presidential candidate Kamala Harris. She spoke on issues such as feminism, acknowledging Kamala for being willing to step up in a male-dominated world. She also showed that she's deeply self-aware when she stated that she knew people underestimate her. She went on ahead to criticize Trump's stance on women's rights, citing that they would eventually lead to oppression.

The enigmatic Lady Gaga, boasting an impressive 166 IQ, further blurs the lines between artistic expression and intellectual capacity. Her ability to constantly reinvent herself while maintaining a deep connection with her audience speaks to a rare combination of emotional intelligence and creative genius. For instance, when Cardi B won three Grammy awards in 2019 and was facing criticism for her hair, Lady Gaga was able to shut down the internet. She was very specific about undermining a woman's achievements just because of a hair mishap. All the bashing was covering Cardi B's impressive victory at the Grammys. Gaga's career is deemed to be a perfect illustration of how high IQ can manifest in groundbreaking artistic innovation.

No discussion of musical brilliance would be complete without mentioning Michael Jackson, whose IQ of 159 matched his unparalleled talent as the "King of Pop." Jackson's meticulous attention to detail in his performances and compositions reflected not just innate talent, but also a sharp, analytical mind capable of pushing the boundaries of popular music.

Rounding out this eclectic group is Marilyn Manson, with an IQ of 155. He's often misunderstood due to his controversial public persona. Yet, Marilyn Manson's intellectual depth challenges stereotypes and preconceptions. His articulate interviews and multifaceted artistic expressions reveal a mind as complex and intriguing as his stage presence.

What do you believe Taylor Swift's IQ indicates about their potential? Dive into the comments section to discuss!

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