No Flash, Plenty of Cash: How Taylor Swift Became the Anti-Lady Gaga

Getty ImagesIn a world of hyperproduced music and flamboyant pop stars like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, there lies one young singer from Wyomissing, Pennsylvania (population 10,000) who bucks the trend. Her name's Taylor Swift, and while she's not known for her flash, she certainly has a knack for raking in the cash.

Swift made more money last year than Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. And she didn't even have to make a bad 3D movie! (Getty)

Without having to shoot fireworks from her breasts or dress herself in meat, Swift has quietly made a fortune. The 22-year-old recently landed atop Forbes' annual Highest-Paid Celebrities Under 30 list after earning a reported $57 million between May 2011 and May 2012.

According to prominent Hollywood publicist Michael Levine, whose firm represents 54 Grammy-winning artists, Swift's ascent is rooted in history.

"There have always been artists that are ambassadors for the more primal dark sides of life. I'm thinking in LA the Doors and the Rolling Stones, perhaps. Then there were artists who represented the bright, sunny side of life, like Donny and Marie Osmond."

Is Swift merely the latest in a long line of sweet, innocent pop stars? Levine believes so. He sees Gaga as "the cu! rrent qu een of rebellion and outlaw behavior, and [Swift] as an ambassador" of optimism, brightness, and other positive words you'll probably hear Bob Costas say during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Crossover Appeal

Swift's success is directly linked to her unique crossover appeal. By mastering the country-pop sound, the singer has been able to turn acoustic love songs into Top 40 hits. Just as Mumford & Sons created folk-based singles that wound up dominating rock radio playlists, Swift has developed a sound that a farm girl in rural Oklahoma and a hairstylist in Manhattan can find equally entertaining.

By going mainstream, the artist has also won over your parents. And believe it or not, they actually listen to music too. "Swift is a country/pop singer and her appeal is probably greater to adult audiences than is Gaga's or Perry's," says Elayne Rapping, a professor emerita of media studies at the University of Buffalo. "So she is hitting a broader demographic." Which brings us to...

The Power of the Parent

Not only do parents buy music for themselves, but in many cases, they're the ones purchasing their children's tunes too. As much as we respect Perry and Gaga, it's not hard to envision why a mother might feel more comfortable getting her daughter Swift's album. This is a girl who tweets pictures of kittens and Easter eggs, not shots of her squeezing her breast.

Brian Balthazar, a frequent panelist on CNN, VH1, and MSNBC, agrees. "Her fans are young enough that their parents are probably pulling the purse strings on not only the music purchases, but also concert tickets and merchandise. They may not all be s! o crazy about Lady Gaga or Katy Perry," he says.

Instantly Relatable

Swift didn't become a mainstream superstar by simply churning out entertaining music. No, she did so by presenting the entire package. While there's no denying her raw talent, it's her ability to come across as "the girl next door" that helped shoot her to the top. In a nutshell, she's relatable, which isn't exactly something you can say of Gaga and Perry. Balthazar explains:

"To this day she still sings songs that relate the highs and lows of her life mostly about love, actually in a way that are very relatable. Her music conveys that shes just a tiny bit unsure of herself, which really resonates with people. You Belong With Me is about unrequited love with her male friend. What teenager (particularly a girl) cant relate to that?"

Staying the Course

At just 22-years-old, Swift is a relative baby compared to Perry, 26, and Gaga, 27.

Though the pop star has plenty of time to develop a new image and sound, we don't believe she'll change her ways anytime soon. And neither does Levine. Just as he doesn't expect to see Gaga "perform with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir anytime soon," he also doesn't envision Swift making a "music video with Marilyn Manson." (Though we're confident the latter would turn out awesome.)

With millions in the bank and six Grammy wins to her name, Swift could afford to retire today. Alternatively, she could start a Def Leppard cover b! and, or become the next Bachelorette and make out with tons of dudes on primetime TV. But we strongly doubt it. After all, this star doesn't have a need for flash. She just likes strumming her guitar, singing her heart out, and making cash.

(Getty Images | Twitter)

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