NEW YORK — Taylor Swift’s dominance continued at the MTV Video Music Awards, where she took home seven awards, including the night’s biggest prize, the trophy for video of the year.
In her speech Wednesday night, Swift thanked her “boyfriend Travis” for being at the “Fortnight” music video shoot and cheering her on. Fans rewarded the mention of NFL star Travis Kelce with loud cheers at the MTV VMAs.
“Everything this man touches turns to happiness, fun and magic,” he said of Kelce, before shifting the subject to the 2024 presidential election and urging his fans over the age of 18 to register to vote.
Swift, however, avoided discussing Kamala Harris’s presidential bid on stage. On Tuesday night, Swift endorsed the vice president, moments after Harris’ debate with former President Donald Trump ended.
Taylor Swift, center, and Post Malone, right, accept the award for best collaboration for “Fortnight” during the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y.
(Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Swift’s latest wins bring her total to 30, tying her with Beyoncé for the most-awarded artists in VMA history. Eminem is now the male artist with the most VMAs, with 14.
Swift and Malone also took home the top televised award, this time for best collaboration. Flavor Flav and Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles received the award.
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’ve been thinking about what happened 23 years ago, all those who lost a loved one and all those we lost and that’s what’s most important today,” Swift said.
He then thanked Malone.
Taylor Swift arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
(Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
“There’s a reason Post Malone is everyone’s favorite person in music to collaborate with,” she said. “It’s taken me forever to get him to stop calling me ma’am.”
Chappell Roan took home the award for best new artist at the VMAs.
“I dedicate this to all the drag artists who inspire me,” she said in her speech, while dressed in chainmail, reading her words written in a journal. “And I dedicate this to the queer and trans people who are running pop… Thank you for listening.”
Women dominated the awards ceremony, no better example than the stage transformed into a medieval castle for Roan’s musical number.
Drag queen Sasha Colby introduced her as “your favorite drag queen’s favorite performer,” a reference to Roan’s now-famous Coachella performance, which was itself inspired by Colby. True fans certainly enjoyed this reference.
Chappell Roan accepts the Best New Artist award at the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
(Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Roan appeared dressed in armor, firing a lit crossbow at the castle gates behind her, burning them down in the process. Her dancers were knights and battled each other in incredible choreography as she sang her queer pop hit, “Good Luck, Babe!”
The other voice of pop in 2024, Sabrina Carpenter, won the award for song of the year for “Espresso.”
“This is really special,” he said in his speech, dedicated to his fans. “And thanks to that espresso.”
Moments earlier, Carpenter brought her summer style to the awards show, known by its initials in English as MTV VMAs. She performed her hits “Please Please Please,” “Taste” and, of course, “Espresso” while dancing with a man from the moon and an alien.
Tyla won the award for best afrobeats.
Katy Perry received the Video Vanguard Award, performing a medley of her hits: “Roar,” “ET,” “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” “I Kissed a Girl,” “Firework,” “Lifetimes.”
Katy Perry, center, performs during the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y.
(Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
“I did all of 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 line up to have a long and successful career as an artist. There are no accidents that last a decade.”
She also previewed a new song, “I’m His, He’s Mine,” featuring Doechii, which samples the Crystal Waters classic “Gypsy Woman (La Da Dee La Da Da).”
Previous winners of the Video Vanguard Award 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 by launching into a medley of his hits “Houdini” and “Somebody Save Me,” with a stream of Jelly Roll. (The song references Jelly Roll’s country radio smash “Save Me.”)
Megan Thee Stallion arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
(Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Megan Thee Stallion welcomed the crowd with her debut as a host on Wednesday night. She joked that the VMAs now represent the “voluptuous Megan Awards.” She later joined the performers for a musical number.
Karol G gave a fiery performance of her hit, “Si antes te había conocí,” which got 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 40 years of Def Jam Records with Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav and Chuck D.
Karol G arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
(Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Halsey looked back to the suburbs for her new single, “Ego,” which evokes garage bands. GloRilla’s “Yeah Glo!” and “TGIF” provided style.
Blackpink’s LISA took to the VMAs stage for the first time as a solo artist, powering through two of her new singles, “New Woman” and “Rockstar.” Shawn Mendes made a long-awaited return, debuting with a John Mayer-esque acoustic number titled “Nobody Knows.”
Anitta performed “Paradise,” “Alegría” and “Savage Funk,” alongside DJ Khaled, Fat Joe and Tiago PZK. Moments later, she won the award for best Latin music video for “Mil veces.”
Benson Boone seemed as excited 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,” which he was joined on by Quavo.
Sabrina Carpenter arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 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 packed with celebrities and featured plenty of Swift, who arrived at the awards show in 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 categories and nominations in the categories of best pop and artist of the year. She was followed by her “Fortnight” collaborator, Post Malone, who is nominated alongside Swift 10 times and earned his 11th nomination for his country hit “I Had Some Help,” featuring Morgan Wallen.
