In May 2012, the Executive Committee selected a special individual to represent the true essence of giving back to a community. An individual that bestows kindness and virtue, and has the characteristics of a true humanitarian. With this in mind, the Honorary Star of Compassion Award was created.
Taylor Swift currently holds the Billboard all-genre records for most first-week downloads by a female artist, for the longest charting album of this century and for most Top 20 debuts in a calendar year, as well as the Billboard record for the largest overall airplay audience for a country-based act. Taylor's 15-month, 107-date FEARLESS 2009 / 2010 Tour sold out arenas and stadiums in 88 cities in five countries spanning four continents.