At the VMAs on September 11 (local time), Taylor Swift received the most important award – Video of the Year – for the MV Fortnight. The 35-year-old singer is the first artist to be honored in this category five times. In previous years, she won with the songs Bad Blood (2015), You Need to Calm Down (2019), All Too Well: The Short Film (2022) and Anti-Hero (2023). At the same time, Taylor Swift is the only name to win this title for three consecutive years.

The Fortnight singer also won Best Artist and Best Pop Song this year. The singer currently has 30 Moonman statues (VMAs trophies shaped like astronauts on the moon), breaking Beyoncé’s record of 25 trophies.

Taylor Swift received the award for “Video of the Year”. Photo: AFP

In her acceptance speech for Best Collaboration with Post Malone, Taylor Swift recalled the pain of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. She said: “When I woke up this morning, I thought about what happened 23 years ago. The most important people today are the families who lost loved ones, the victims who died. Everything that happened tonight is behind me. But it’s great to have the opportunity to thank and honor the production team who worked so hard with me.”

The MV “Fortnight” won Video of the Year at the 2024 VMAs. Video: YouTube Taylor Swift

In addition to thanking the team, she thanked singer Post Malone – who performed with her on Fortnight. Taylor Swift commented that he was talented, down-to-earth and always polite to her. The singer was grateful to fans for supporting her album The Tortured Poet’s Department and the Eras Tour. She also talked about her boyfriend Travis Kelce, saying he had cheered her on during the music video shoot. Before leaving the stage, Taylor Swift reminded the audience to vote for the upcoming presidential election.

The singer leads this year’s awards season with 12 nominations, including the three main awards for video, artist and song of the year. Initially, the singer received 10 nominations but was later nominated in two additional categories: Song of the Summer (Fortnight) and Iconic Performance for You Belong With Me (2009). This award honors impressive VMAs performances from 1984-2013 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the award show. Katy Perry’s 2013 performance of Roar won this category.

Taylor Swift, 35, is an American singer-songwriter who rose to fame with her country music in 2006. After 10 albums, Taylor has received 14 Grammy Awards and 29 Billboard Awards. In December 2023, Guinness recognized The Eras Tour as the highest-grossing tour of all time, reaching over $1 billion. The singer’s net worth is estimated at $1.1 billion.

Taylor Swift tells the story of her boyfriend behind the scenes of filming the music video “Fortnight” on stage to accept the Video of the Year award. Video: MTV

This year’s awards ceremony also attracted attention from a number of other faces. Sabrina Carpenter won Song of the Year for Espresso, released in April. This is the first year the 25-year-old singer has participated in the VMAs race. Lisa – 27, a member of the group Blackpink – won the Best K-pop Song trophy for the single Rockstar. She called this project a “meaningful comeback” of the year.

Chappell Roan, 26, won her first VMAs trophy in her career with the award for Best New Artist. On stage, she thanked the LGBTQ+ community and drag queens for inspiring her creativity. The artist added: “I dedicate this award to the gay and transgender people who are helping to promote pop music. To the queer kids out there watching the event, I understand you because I am one of them.”

Katy Perry was honored in the MTV Michael Jackson Video Vanguard category. The award honors artists who have made achievements and contributions to the music industry. She said in her acceptance speech: “I just want to say with all my heart: Do whatever it takes to be yourself, to keep your identity when making art. Turn off social media, protect your mental health, stop life for a while and enjoy nature.” Last year, the title went to Shakira.

Katy Perry poses with the Mooman statue. Photo: AFP

The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) were first held in 1984, founded by MTV. This year’s event took place on September 11 at the UBS Arena in New York, hosted by rapper Megan Thee Stallion.

Results of some VMAs awards
(Winners’ names are in bold)

1. Video of the Year

Ariana Grande – We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)
Billie Eilish – Lunch
Doja Cat – Paint The Town Red
Eminem – Houdini
SZA – Snooze
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight

2. Artist of the Year

Ariana Grande
Bad Bunny
Eminem
Sabrina Carpenter
SZA
Taylor Swift

3. Song of the Year

Beyoncé – Texas Hold ‘Em
Jack Harlow – Lovin On Me
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight
Teddy Swims – Lose Control

4. Best New Artist

Benson Boone
Chappell Roan
Gracie Abrams
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
Tyla

5. Best Performance

Kaliii – Area Codes
GloRilla – Lick or Sum

Benson Boone – In the Stars
Coco Jones – ICU
Victoria Monét – On My Mama
Jessie Murph – Wild Ones
Teddy Swims – Lose Control
Chappell Roan – Red Wine Supernova
Flyana Boss – Yeaaa
Laufey – Goddess
Le Sserafim – Easy
The Warning – Automatic Sun

6. Best Pop Song

Camila Cabello
Dua Lipa
Olivia Rodrigo
Sabrina Carpenter
Tate McRae
Taylor Swift

7. Best K-pop Song Jung Kook ft. Latto – Seven Lisa – Rockstar NCT Dream – Smoothie NewJeans – Super Shy Stray Kids – Lalalala Tomorrow X Together – Deja vu