Pop icon Taylor Swift dominated the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Wednesday, winning seven awards and tying with Beyoncé for the most lifetime VMAs in the show’s 40-year history. Swift’s wins included the prestigious Video of the Year award for her haunting black-and-white video “Fortnight,” which featured Post Malone and depicted her in a psychiatric hospital, reflecting the themes from her The Tortured Poets Department album.
“This video may seem sad, but it was the most fun to make,” Swift said, crediting her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce, for adding joy to the experience. Kelce’s cheers on set kept the mood light, and Swift called him her source of “happiness and fun.”
Swift also encouraged fans to vote in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, following her endorsement of Kamala Harris earlier this week. The night saw her win Artist of the Year and Song of the Summer, bringing her total VMAs to 30, matching Beyoncé’s record.
Swift’s third consecutive Video of the Year win is a first, with previous victories for “All Too Well” (2022) and “Anti-Hero” (2023), solidifying her as a VMA powerhouse. She also praised Post Malone for his work on “Fortnight,” calling him “ridiculously talented.”
The night celebrated other standout artists, including Chappell Roan, who won Best New Artist and gave a heartfelt tribute to the LGBTQ+ community. K-pop star Lisa claimed Best K-pop Video for “Rockstar,” while South African singer Tyla won the Afrobeats award for “Water,” and Anitta took home Best Latin Video for “Mil Veces.”
Eminem kicked off the show with “Houdini” from his latest album, The Death of Slim Shady, and Katy Perry closed out the night with a dazzling performance before receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, presented by her husband, Orlando Bloom.