Taylor Swift once again made history at the MTV Video Music Awards by becoming the most awarded solo artist in the event’s history, winning seven categories, including the prestigious video of the year.
Starting the evening as the most nominated artist, Swift concluded by surpassing Beyoncé’s previous record for solo artists, achieving her 30th VMA. Beyoncé has previously won 25 VMAs as a solo performer, along with two from her time with Destiny’s Child and two more with Jay-Z.
As she accepted her first award for best collaboration with Post Malone for their track “Fortnight,” Swift took a moment to reflect on the significance of the date, September 11. “Waking up this morning in New York on September 11th, I’ve just been thinking about what happened 23 years ago,” she remarked. “Everyone who lost a loved one and everyone that we lost is the most important thing today. Everything that happens tonight falls behind that.”
The ceremony was hosted by Megan Thee Stallion at the UBS Arena in Long Island, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the VMAs. She reminisced about iconic moments from past shows, including Britney Spears’ memorable performance, and treated the audience to her own songs, including “Boa,” “Hiss,” and “Mamushi,” alongside Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba.
Although Eminem opened the evening with a performance featuring look-alikes of his alter ego, Slim Shady, the night primarily highlighted female artists, showcasing a diverse lineup of talent.
Emerging artist Sabrina Carpenter performed her song “Espresso,” which won song of the year. Expressing her gratitude during her speech, Carpenter said, “This is really special. I just feel so grateful to have truly the best fans in the world… and thank you to that me espresso.”
Blackpink’s Lisa took home the best K-pop award for her solo track “Rockstar,” and Brazilian singer Anitta was awarded best Latin for her song “Mil Veces.” South African artist Tyla won best Afrobeats for her hit “Water,” emphasizing the diverse landscape of African music while acknowledging the bittersweet nature of her award.
Katy Perry received the Video Vanguard Award, recognizing her lifetime achievements. After being introduced by her husband Orlando Bloom, she performed a medley of her classic hits, emphasizing the effort required to maintain a long-lasting music career.
Perry shared her excitement about the new generation of artists, praising their confidence and authenticity. She also acknowledged the challenges faced by women in the industry.
Chappell Roan, a rising star, took home the best new artist award, paying tribute to drag artists and the queer community. Roan encouraged young queer individuals watching to stay true to themselves.
Lenny Kravitz delivered an electrifying performance, while fellow hip-hop legends LL Cool J and Public Enemy honored the legacy of the Def Jam label with a medley of their classics.
As the night concluded, Taylor Swift made a significant statement by winning the video of the year award for the fifth time in her career, further solidifying her legacy. She expressed gratitude towards her fans and reminded everyone to participate in voting, encouraging those over 18 to register.