In terms of age and stature, Taylor Swift is sandwiched somewhere between Selena Gomez and Madonna -- at least according to last weekend's Billboard Music Awards, where Gomez represented the show's youngest performers and Madonna its most seasoned.
In a new interview with Billboard, Swift reflects on that position, saying she looks up to the 54-year-old Madonna, who took home Top Touring Artist honors, and avoids doling out advice to younger stars like Gomez.
"I never give advice unless someone asks me for it," she said when asked what lessons she would pass on to the 20-year-old Gomez and 19-year-old Ariana Grande. "One thing I've learned, and possibly the only advice I have to give, is to not be that person giving out unsolicited advice based on your own personal experience. I've always had a lot of older people giving me advice because I'm young, and in the end, it all comes down to who you want to be remembered as. Just be that."
Swift also seems to acknowledge that her career is not identical to Madonna's early days. Swift has developed a clear identity, whereas Madonna quickly became known for constantly reinventing herself.
"One element of Madonna's career that really takes center stage is how many times she's reinvented herself," Swift said when asked what she's learned from the original Material Girl's legacy. "It's easier to stay in one look, one comfort zone, one musical style. It's inspiring to see someone whose only predictable quality is being unpredictable."
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