NEW YORK — Taylor Swift’s dominance continued at the MTV Video Music Awards, where she took home seven awards, including the night’s most important honor, the trophy for Video of the Year.
In her speech on Wednesday night, Swift thanked her “boyfriend Travis” for being on the set of the music video for “Fortnight” and for encouraging her. Fans rewarded the mention of NFL star Travis Kelce with loud cheers at the awards, known by their English acronym MTV VMAs.
“Everything this man touches turns into happiness, fun, and magic,” she said about Kelce, before shifting the topic to the 2024 presidential elections, urging her fans over 18 to register to vote.
However, Swift avoided discussing Kamala Harris’s presidential candidacy on stage. On Tuesday night, Swift endorsed the vice president shortly after Harris’s debate with former President Donald Trump.
Taylor Swift, in the center, and Post Malone, to the right, accept the award for best collaboration for “Fortnight” during the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
(Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Swift’s latest awards raise her total to 30, tying her with Beyoncé for the title of the most awarded artists in MTV VMA history. Eminem is now the male artist with the most VMAs, with 14.
Swift and Malone also took home the first televised award, in this case for best collaboration. They received the award from Flavor Flav and Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles.
The singer began her speech by remembering all those who lost their lives and their loved ones during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 23 years ago.
“I have been thinking about what happened 23 years ago, all those who lost a loved one and everyone we lost, and that is the most important thing today,” Swift said.
She then thanked Malone.
Taylor Swift arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
(Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
“There’s a reason why Post Malone is everyone’s favorite person in music to collaborate with,” she said. “It took me forever to get him to stop calling me ma’am.”
Chappell Roan won the trophy for Best New Artist at the VMAs.
“I dedicate this to all the drag artists who inspire me,” she said in her speech, while wearing chainmail, reading her speech written in a journal. “And I dedicate this to the queer and trans folks who run pop… Thank you for listening.”
The night was dominated by women, with no better example than the stage transformed into a medieval castle for Roan’s musical number.
The drag queen Sasha Colby introduced her as “your favorite drag queen’s favorite artist,” a nod to Roan’s now-famous performance at Coachella, which in turn was inspired by Colby. Undoubtedly, true fans enjoyed this reference.
Chappell Roan receives the award for Best New Artist at the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
(Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Roan appeared dressed in armor, shooting a flaming crossbow at the castle doors behind her, burning them in the process. Her dancers were knights, battling with each other in an incredible choreography as she sang her queer pop hit, “Good Luck, Babe!”.
The other pop voice in 2024, Sabrina Carpenter, won the Song of the Year award for “Espresso.”
“This is really special,” she said in her speech, dedicated to her fans. “And thanks to that espresso.”
Moments earlier, Carpenter brought her summer style to the awards, known by their English acronym MTV VMAs. She performed her hits “Please Please Please,” “Taste,” and, of course, “Espresso” while dancing with a moon man and an alien.
Tyla won the award for Best Afrobeats.
Katy Perry received the Video Vanguard award, performing a medley of her hits: “Roar,” “E.T.,” “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” “I Kissed a Girl,” “Firework,” “Lifetimes.”
Katy Perry, center, during her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
(Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
“I did all that on the first day of my period, can you believe it?” she joked in her acceptance speech. “There are so many things that have to align to have a long and successful career as an artist. There are no accidents that last a decade.”
She also teased a new song, “I’m His, He’s Mine,” featuring Doechii, which samples the classic “Gypsy Woman (La Da Dee La Da Da)” by Crystal Waters.
Previous Video Vanguard award winners include Shakira, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, and Missy Elliott.
An army of Slim Shady lookalikes followed Eminem as he kicked off the MTV VMAs, launching into a medley of his hits “Houdini” and “Somebody Save Me,” featuring Jelly Roll. (The song references Jelly Roll’s big country radio hit “Save Me.”)
Megan Thee Stallion arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
(Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Megan Thee Stallion welcomed the crowd, debuting as host on Wednesday night. She joked that the VMAs now stand for “Megan’s voluptuous awards.” Later, she was one of the performers with a musical number.
Karol G delivered a fiery performance of her hit “Si antes te hubiera conocido,” which had Camila Cabello dancing. Rauw Alejandro brought a bit of Puerto Rico to the stage, performing “Touching The Sky,” “DILUIVO,” and “Déjame entrar.”
LL COOL J celebrated the 40th anniversary of Def Jam Records with Flavor Flav of Public Enemy and Chuck D.
Karol G arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
(Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Halsey evoked the suburbs for her new single, “Ego,” which harkens back to garage bands. “Yeah Glo!” by GloRilla. and “TGIF” added style.
LISA from Blackpink hit the VMAs stage for the first time as a solo artist, promoting two of her new singles, “New Woman” and “Rockstar.” Shawn Mendes made a highly anticipated return, debuting with an acoustic number in the style of John Mayer titled “Nobody Knows.”
Anitta performed “Paradise,” “Alegría,” and “Savage Funk,” along with DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, and Tiago PZK. Moments later, she won Best Latin Music Video for “Mil veces.”
Benson Boone seemed as enthusiastic as ever to perform his viral hit “Beautiful Things” on the VMAs stage. Lenny Kravitz proved that rock is not dead with “Are You Gonna Go My Way”, “Human,” and finally “Fly,” joined by Quavo.
Sabrina Carpenter arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
(Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
The 40th edition of the VMAs is held at the UBS Arena on Long Island in New York.
The night was filled with celebrities and had much of Swift, who arrived at the awards wearing a green tartan corset with a matching train and long black leather gloves.
The pop star led the nominations with 12, eight for her music video “Fortnight,” two social category nominations, and nominations in the best pop and artist of the year categories. Following her was her “Fortnight” collaborator, Post Malone, who is nominated alongside Swift 10 times and received his 11th nomination for his country hit “I Had Some Help,” with Morgan Wallen.