2017 Was the Year Taylor Swift Proved She Doesn't Need to Be in the Spotlight to Make Headlines

Taylor Swift virtually stayed out of the spotlight this year, but at the same time, she played a big part in 2017 pop culture. Even though she barely made any public appearances at the beginning of the year, she was busy promoting her sixth album from the sidelines. Now that Reputation has finally arrived, Taylor has slowly but surely returned to center stage, and we can't get enough. Look back at her incredible year, below.

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January: "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" Music Video Is Released

At the beginning of the year, Taylor released the video for her duet with Zayn Malik for the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack.

February: Taylor Performs at DirecTV Now Super Bowl Concert
Getty | Kevin Mazur

February: Taylor Performs at DirecTV Now Super Bowl Concert

Ahead of the Super Bowl, Taylor performed on stage in Houston. The appearance marked her first and only concert of 2017.

May: News Breaks That Taylor Is Dating Joe Alwyn
Getty | David M. Benett / Anthony Harvey

May: News Breaks That Taylor Is Dating Joe Alwyn

In May, it was revealed that Taylor was secretly dating British actor Joe Alwyn.

June: Taylor Puts Her Music Back on Spotify

On June 9, the same day her nemesis Katy Perry dropped her album Witness, Taylor put her entire catalog back on Spotify. Coincidence? We think not!

June: Taylor Makes a Cameo at the NBA Awards

After staying virtually silent during the Summer, Taylor made a quick cameo at the NBA Awards, via a pretaped video, to congratulate Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook after he won the title of MVP.

August: Taylor Wins Her Groping Trial Against DJ David Mueller
Getty | Theo Stroomer

August: Taylor Wins Her Groping Trial Against DJ David Mueller

While it wasn't technically a "public appearance," per se, Taylor did come out of hiding for her groping trial against DJ David Mueller. Following her win, she kept her vow to donate to sexual assault victims by making a charitable donation to actress Mariska Hargitay's Joyful Heart Foundation.

August: Taylor Wipes Her Social Media Clean

Shortly after her trial, Taylor raised eyebrows when she wiped all of her social media accounts clean. A few days later, she posted a series of cryptic snake videos, seemingly reclaiming the title she was given following her infamous feud with Kim Kardashian.

August: Taylor Announces Her Sixth Album, Reputation

On Aug. 23, Taylor dropped a major bombshell when she announced that she was releasing her much-anticipated sixth album by unveiling the cover art and album title, Reputation, on Instagram.

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August: "Look What You Made Me Do" Is Released as Her First Single

The following day, Taylor sent fans into a frenzy when she dropped her first single, "Look What You Made Me Do," an apparent diss track to her famous enemies.

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August: "Look What You Made Me Do" Music Video Premieres at the VMAs

Taylor debuted her intricate music video for the lead single at the MTV VMAs, which Katy just so happened to be hosting. Aside from making multiple hidden references to her feuds in the video, she also made fun of herself by bringing her past selves to life before killing them off.

September: Taylor Serves as a Bridesmaid in Her Friend's Wedding
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September: Taylor Serves as a Bridesmaid in Her Friend's Wedding

Taylor took a break from promoting her music to attend her childhood friend Abigail Anderson's wedding in Martha's Vineyard.

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September: "Ready For It?" Is Released as Her Second Single

Shortly after being spotted at her friend's wedding, Taylor put the attention back on her album by releasing her second single, "Ready For It?"

October: Taylor Holds Listening Parties For Reputation

As promotion for her album, Taylor held private listening parties for Reputation at her various homes across the globe.

October: Taylor Films a Music Video in London
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October: Taylor Films a Music Video in London

After holding her first listening party for Reputation in London, Taylor hit the town to film an upcoming music video.

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October: "Gorgeous" Is Released as Her Third Single

That same month, Taylor dropped her third single, "Gorgeous," which is rumored to be about her boyfriend, Joe.

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October: "Ready For It?" Music Video Is Released

The singer went full sci-fi for her "Ready For It?" music video. In true Taylor fashion, it includes multiple hidden references to her boyfriend and her upcoming album.

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November: "Call It What You Want" Is Released as Her Fourth Single

After releasing pop bops, the singer slowed things down with her romantic fourth single, "Call It What You Want."

November: Taylor Releases Full Track Listing For Reputation

Nearly three days before the album's release, Taylor unveiled the official track list for Reputation. Needless to say, fans had a mini freak-out when it was confirmed that she would be collaborating with friend Ed Sheeran again.

November: Taylor Breaks Records With Reputation Release

After blowing fans's minds with her sixth album, the singer proceeded to break tons of records (including a few of her own). With more than 700,000 copies sold in its first day alone, the album is on track to become the top-selling album of 2017.

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November: Taylor Performs on Saturday Night Live

The weekend after Reputation's release, Taylor appeared on Saturday Night Live as the musical guest. She also made a special appearance at her pop up shop in NYC, attended the Reputation album release party presented by AT&T, and performed during The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

December: Taylor Performs at Jingle Ball
Getty | Kevin Winter

December: Taylor Performs at Jingle Ball

Taylor treated fans to her first concert since releasing Reputation at the iHeart Radio Jingle Ball. She even performed her hit "End Game" alongside Ed Sheeran.

December: Taylor Covers British Vogue
British Vogue | Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott

December: Taylor Covers British Vogue

After returning to the stage, Taylor appeared on her first magazine cover since releasing Reputation, gracing the January 2018 issue of British Vogue.

December: Taylor Is Named One of Time's The Silence Breakers

Taylor was one of the many women and men who were named The Silence Breakers in the much-anticipated Time Person of the Year issue for speaking out against sexual harassment and sexual assault in her groping trial earlier this year.