Battle of the blondes! Taylor Swift shows off a sleek new hairdo while Nicki Minaj debuts over the top Rapunzel locks

By Laura Schreffler

Last updated at 2:10 AM on 3rd December 2011

Taylor Swift and NIcki Minaj both debuted striking new hairdos at Billboard's Woman of the Year ceremony today.

While the 21-year-old Love Story singer showed off her sleek new hairdo and darling bangs, 28-year-old Minaj wore a wig that made her look like Rapunzel.

For Swift, at least, her sexy new look is a way of proving she's finally leaving her girlhood behind

Musical hair: Taylor Swift shows off a sleek new 'do while Nicki Minaj channels her inner Rapunzel

Elegant little lady: The 21-year-old starlet showed a new maturity today with her ensemble and haircut

She tweeted a photo of her new 'do yesterday, writing simply: 'Got a haircut.'

According to E!Online, the decision behind her snip was utterly spontaneous.

'She got it cut on a shoot. She just decided to go for it! Very fun!' the site says.
A mature new style couldn't have come at a better time, given that the blonde stunner was honoured at the ceremony n New York City.

She looked sophisticated and willowy in a red chiffon dress and nude heels that served to elongate her already gazelle-like gams.

She couldn't keep the gigantic grin off her ruby red lips, either, as well she shouldn't have: she became the youngest artist ever to receive this particular honour.

Taylor said she was just delighted to be nominated

She said: 'I got three nominations. I was just so excited.'

The popular star also said it was like a dream.

She said: '"I got here today and there were all these flashing camera bulbs.

'I got to the table, and I saw the magazine on the chair and it had me on it.

'All the daydreams I had as a little kid, I guess this is what it looked like.'

The annual award celebrates achievements of trailblazing female recording artists.

Beyonce, Fergie and Reba McEntire have all accepted the award in the past.

The whole package: The country cutie looked sultry and sophisticated in Manhattan today

Rapunzel, rapunzel, let your hair down: Nicki Minaj shows off her long blonde locks

Exceptional ladies: Taylor poses with Nicki Minaj at the Billboard event

Although she was virtually snubbed by the Grammys this year, only pulling in three nods for Best Country Album, Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance, she has won several other accolades this year.

She was deemed Entertainer of the Year from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.

She has also won Billboard Music Awards for top country album, top Billboard 200 artist and top country artist.

According to Big Machine Records, she has also sold more than 20 million albums and 40 million digital track downloads.

The ingenue is also reportedly going head-to-head with Hollywood starlets Lea MIchele, Scarlett Johansson and Evan Rachel Wood to score the part of Eponine in Tom Hooper's big-screen adaptation of Les Miserables.

High-brow fan: Taylor posed with top US journalist Katie Couric at the prestigious event

Short and sweet: Swift tweeted 'Got a haircut' yesterday along with this picture

Big fanbase: The stars legion of supporters were excited to pose with their idol before the show began

Meanwhile her red carpet chum Nicki Minaj was delighted to be named Billboard's Rising Star.

And the saucy starlet said she had been inspired by the country favourite when she dressed for the occasion with special blonde locks.

She said: 'This is my Taylor Swift look.'

The saucy MC, who has admitted she is bisexual, revealed she was emotional to receive the honour.

She said: 'I don't ever expect to win those kinds of things, but it's good to be recognised, and it's good for girls to see that you can do whatever kind of music that you want to do.'

Trinidad-born Nicki told fans they can succeed too if they put in some old-fashioned spade work.

She said: 'I always say hard work pays off. Don't be lazy. I am racist against lazy people. I wish they would not exist in this world.'

Her debut CD Pink Friday has sold more than 1.6 million copies in the United States.