Pop megastar Taylor Swift made history at the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, taking home seven trophies and tying Beyoncé for the most lifetime accolades in the show’s 40-year history. Swift’s haul included the prestigious Video of the Year award for her sombre, black-and-white video “Fortnight,” featuring Post Malone.
The video, set in a stark psychiatric hospital, was a visual representation of Swift’s internal experiences while composing music for her album The Tortured Poets Department.
“This video seems very sad when you watch it, but it actually was the most fun video to make,” Swift said as she accepted the Moon Person statuette. She added that her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs football player Travis Kelce, provided essential support during the shoot. “Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic,” she said, expressing gratitude for his involvement.
Swift also used her acceptance speech to thank her fans for their support and encouraged them to participate in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. While she endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris in an Instagram post earlier, she did not mention the candidate by name during the awards ceremony.
By the end of the night, the 34-year-old singer had accumulated 30 VMAs, equalling Beyoncé’s record. Swift’s other awards included Artist of the Year and Song of Summer. Notably, her Video of the Year win was her third consecutive victory in this category, following wins for “All Too Well” (2022) and “Anti-Hero” (2023), marking a record fifth win overall.
Earlier in the ceremony, Swift praised Post Malone as “ridiculously talented” and “unfailingly polite” when “Fortnight” won Best Collaboration. Malone reciprocated the praise, describing Swift as “absolutely one of the most kind and talented people I’ve ever had the honour of knowing.” He remarked on the impressive sight of Swift directing the video while strapped to an operating table.
The VMAs, which began airing on MTV in 1984, are renowned for their memorable moments, including Madonna and Britney Spears’ onstage kiss and Lady Gaga’s raw meat dress. This year’s event saw Chappell Roan, the singer of “Good Luck, Babe,” being named Best New Artist. Roan dedicated her award to “all the drag artists who inspire me” and to her fans in the LGBTQ+ community. “For all the queer kids in the Midwest watching right now, I see you, I understand you, because I am one of you,” she declared.
Blackpink’s Lisa won Best K-Pop Video for her solo hit “Rockstar,” South African artist Tyla received the Afrobeats award for “Water,” and Brazilian singer Anitta secured Best Latin Video for “Mil Veces.”
The show opened with a performance by rapper Eminem, who performed “Houdini” from his album The Death of Slim Shady before country singer Jelly Roll joined him via a video feed for their hit “Somebody Save Me.” Katy Perry, honoured with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, dazzled in giant silver butterfly wings while performing hits from Teenage Dream to Firework. Her husband, actor Orlando Bloom, presented her with the award.
“Thank you to MTV for believing in my weirdness from day one,” Perry said, acknowledging the network’s support.
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