Taylor Swift Dominates MTV VMAs 2024, Becomes Most Decorated Solo Artist of All Time
Taylor Swift has once again made history at the MTV Video Music Awards, becoming the most decorated solo artist ever with seven wins, including the prestigious Video of the Year award.
Starting the night as the most nominated artist, Swift surpassed Beyoncé’s previous record, claiming her 30th VMA. Beyoncé, for context, has won 25 VMAs as a solo artist and additional awards with Destiny’s Child and Jay-Z.
In her first acceptance speech for Best Collaboration with Post Malone for their duet “Fortnight,” Swift opened with a poignant tribute to the 9/11 anniversary, reflecting on the day’s significance and prioritizing the memory of those lost over the night’s festivities.
Hosted by Megan Thee Stallion at Long Island’s UBS Arena, the 40th anniversary of the VMAs saw a celebration of past iconic moments and new performances. Megan honored memorable VMAs highlights and delivered a vibrant set with Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba.
Although Eminem kicked off the show with a nostalgic performance alongside his doppelgängers, the evening was dominated by female artists. Sabrina Carpenter shone with her performance of “Espresso,” winning Song of the Year, and Lisa from Blackpink took home Best K-pop for “Rockstar.” Anitta won Best Latin for “Mil Veces,” and Tyla won Best Afrobeats for her hit “Water.”
The Video Vanguard Award, recognizing lifetime achievement, was awarded to Katy Perry. Introduced by her husband Orlando Bloom, Perry performed a medley of her greatest hits, including “Dark Horse” and “Firework.” She spoke about the perseverance required for a successful career, thanking her family, the LGBTQ community, and early platforms like MySpace for their support.
Rising star Chappell Roan won Best New Artist, dedicating her award to drag artists and the queer community. She encouraged young queer individuals with a heartfelt speech, reflecting on her own experiences.
The night also featured performances by Lenny Kravitz, who delivered a dynamic rock medley, and a tribute by LL Cool J and Public Enemy celebrating the influential hip-hop label Def Jam.
In a memorable finale, Swift became the first artist to win Video of the Year five times, expressing gratitude to her fans and a special mention of her boyfriend, Travis. She concluded with a call to action for voter registration, tying her endorsement of Kamala Harris to the importance of participating in elections.
