Keith Urban praised Swift for overcoming “cruel” challenges behind the spotlight to firmly pursue her career

Keith Urban is proud of Taylor Swift!

The country singer, 56, praised Swift, 34, for dealing with the “brutal” trials of navigating a long career under the spotlight as he discussed his admiration for the singer in a new interview published on Friday, Sept. 20.

“It’s been remarkable watching Taylor grow in public because it’s pretty brutal. It feels like now people have long forgotten all of the s— she had to go through,” Urban told U.K. newspaper The Times, referring to comments on Swift’s 2010 Grammys performance and “critics slamming her.”

“Just trial by fire over and over — and always getting stronger for it,” he added.

Urban has a longstanding relationship with Swift after she supported him on tour back in 2009. “When she opened for us, I watched her perform and I’m, like, ‘Oh, this girl has her sights way past this thing,’ ” he explained to the outlet.

The pair went on to perform several times together, including at the 2014 Grammy Awards and during Swift’s 1989 tour in 2015. The “Fortnight” singer also invited Urban to re-record the tracks “That’s When (Taylor’s Version)” and “We Were Happy” for the 2021 re-release of her 2008 album Fearless.

Urban’s comments about Swift come after he spoke to PEOPLE about the pop superstar in May, following the release of her The Tortured Poets Department album.

“I mean, God, Taylor’s songwriting, it’s so extraordinary. There’s really no adjectives for it,” the Australian singer raved at the time. “She’s such a great, great writer. So this new album is just more proof of that in really great ways.”

“[Swift] doesn’t sound like anyone,” he continued. “I like singers that you know their voice immediately, and there’s a lot of other singers that sound like them, but they don’t sound like anyone.”

Urban also spoke about his “amazing” experience at Swift’s Eras Tour concert, which he attended with his wife Nicole Kidman in May 2023.

“We had the best time,” he told PEOPLE. “It’s an amazing show. I knew it would be, but it’s a whole other level. I mean, she’s absolutely at the top of her game. This tour is just the best of the best.”