Taylor Swift set a new record during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), becoming the artist with the most wins in the ceremony's history.
The American star received, on Sunday evening, the Artist Director Honors award, presented for the first time, an award dedicated to honoring artists whose behind-the-camera work has expanded the possibilities of the music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling.
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Swift had previously shared the record with Beyoncé, at 30 awards each, before taking sole possession of the top spot after her new win.
Swift said during her speech that she began working on and participating in music videos about 20 years ago, noting that she has helped produce around 60 music videos, having written and directed 18 of them.
She added, addressing her fans: "You, the fans, make it so much fun."
Video of the Year goes to "The Fate of Ophelia"
Swift also won the night's most significant award, Video of the Year, for the song "The Fate of Ophelia" from her album The Life of a Showgirl.
She dedicated the award to the late country music star Dolly Parton, whom she described as "the ideal showgirl."
Swift said: "I think we were all lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton for a time."
During the ceremony, she also unveiled the music video for her new song "Patient Zero," which she directed and which stars Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson.
"Patient Zero" is Swift's first solo release since her marriage to Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden in July.
Madonna opens the ceremony and collects awards
Madonna opened the ceremony with her 2026 song "Bring Your Love" featuring Sabrina Carpenter, before the two later won the award for Best Collaboration for the song.
Madonna also returned to the stage to present the Artist of the Year award, and also won the award for Best Dance Performance.
The show featured Charli XCX in a modified version of the song "Danceteria," alongside a large group of dancers and guests.
Rapper Snoop Dogg hosted the ceremony, shortly after Madonna opened the show.
Tiana Taylor presented the ceremony's first award, Best Pop, to star Lisa for the song "Dream" featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi.
Lisa said as she fought back tears: "Thank you MTV for this wonderful award. All those dreams I had on late nights brought me here today."
She later returned to the stage to perform her song "Sawadika."
Tribute to Dolly Parton
The ceremony included a special musical tribute to the late Dolly Parton, with Kacey Musgraves performing a version of her famous song "I Will Always Love You."
Parton had died in Nashville in August at the age of 80 after battling cancer.
Performances also included RAYE, while Bruno Mars performed "Dance With Me," and Shaboozey performed "Cowgirl" before being joined by Gunna to perform "High Noon."
Among the evening's most notable moments was Nirvana receiving the 2026 Video Vanguard Award.
Rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy said Nirvana was "totally original and fearless" at a time when the music scene had become conventional and repetitive.
The award was accepted by the band's remaining members Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl, and Pat Smear, while the band's frontman Kurt Cobain died in 1994.
Novoselic said Cobain was "one of a kind," adding that the band never imagined its music and style would reach such a large number of people, considering that its work endures because audiences are still searching for "something real and uncompromising."
Resource: Al-Ghad.
