Author of the article:
Associated Press
Maria Sherman
Published Sep 11, 2024 • Last updated 1day ago • 5 minute read
NEW YORK — Taylor Swift won the biggest award at the MTV Video Music Awards — the trophy for video of the year for “Fortnight,” featuring Post Malone.
Advertisem*nt 2
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
- Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
- Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
- Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
- Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
- Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
- Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Don't have an account? Create Account
or
View more offers
Article content
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Taylor Swift wins big at MTV Video Music Awards and thanks boyfriend Travis Kelce Back to video
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.
In her speech, she talked about her “boyfriend, Travis,” thanking for him for being on set of the music video.
“Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic,” she said of NFL star Travis Kelce, before shifting gears to the 2024 Presidential election and instructing her fans who are over 18 to register to vote.
More Music
Article content
The sign on our hearts says it's still reserved for @taylorswift13's shoutout to @tkelce during her #VMAs acceptance speech💘 pic.twitter.com/S5VWlI2E4t
— Video Music Awards (@vmas) September 12, 2024
Advertisem*nt 3
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Swift did, however, avoid discussing Kamala Harris’ presidential bid on stage. On Tuesday night, Swift endorsed the vice president, moments after Harris’ debate with former president Donald Trump ended.
Swift and Malone also took home the first televised award of the VMAs for best collaboration, handed to them by Flavor Flav and Olympian Jordan Chiles.
Swift started that speech by giving remembrance to everyone who lost their lives and loved ones during 9/11, 23 years ago, before discussing Malone.
“There is a reason Post Malone is everyone in music’s favourite person to collaborate with,” she shifted her attention to him. “It has taken forever for me to get him to stop calling me ma’am.”
Chappell Roan won the MTV Video Music Award for best new artist.
Your Midday Sun
Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
Advertisem*nt 4
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“I dedicate this to all the drag artists who inspire me,” she said in her speech, while wearing chain mail, reading from a written speech in her diary. “And I dedicate this to queer and trans people who run pop. … Thank you for listening.”
Can I get a round of applause for @ChappellRoan - YOUR 2024 #VMAs BEST NEW ARTIST!!!! 👏 pic.twitter.com/zK9UgqerPg
— Video Music Awards (@vmas) September 12, 2024
Advertisem*nt 5
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Women dominated the award show, no example greater than an imaginative, medieval set from Roan.
Drag queen Sasha Colby introduced her with “your favourite drag queen’s favourite artist,” a reference to Roan’s now famous Coachella performance, which in turn was inspired by Colby. Real fans no doubt got a kick out of the hyper-referential tidbit.
Roan appeared in armour, shooting a lit crossbow at castle gates that stood behind her, burning them in the process. Her dancers were knights, battling each other in incredible choreography as she sang her queer pop hit, “Good Luck, Babe.”
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.
The other voice of 2024 pop, Sabrina Carpenter, won the trophy for song of the year for “Espresso.”
“This is really special,” she said in her speech, dedicated to her fans. “And thank you to that me-espresso.”
Advertisem*nt 6
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Sabrina Carpenter accepts the award for song of the year for "Espresso" at this year's #VMAs pic.twitter.com/ff3xIWORsJ
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 12, 2024
Advertisem*nt 7
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Earlier in the night, she brought her summery-pop to the award show, powering through her hit singles “Please Please Please,” “Taste” and “Espresso” while dancing with a moon man and an alien.
Tyla won the best Afrobeats award.
Katy Perry received the Video Vanguard Award, performing an eight-song medley spanning her career: “Roar,” “E.T.,” “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” “I Kissed a Girl,” “Firework,” and “Lifetimes.”
“I did that all on the first day of my period, can you believe it?” she joked after accepting the honour from her partner, Orlando Bloom. “There are so many things that have to align to have a long and successful career as an artist. There are no decade long accidents.”
She also teased 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).”
Advertisem*nt 8
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Previous recipients of the Video Vanguard Award include Shakira, Beyonce, Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna and Missy Elliott.
An army of Slim Shady-lookalikes followed Eminem as he kicked off the VMAs , launching into a medley of his hits “Houdini” and “Somebody Save Me,” featuring a broadcast feed of Jelly Roll. (The song references Jelly Roll’s massive country radio hit, “Save Me.”)
.@Eminem knows how to start the #VMAs with an unforgettable opening performance !!!!!! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/t1vmWvf3IJ
— Video Music Awards (@vmas) September 12, 2024
Advertisem*nt 9
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Megan Thee Stallion welcomed the crowd as a first-time host Wednesday night, who joked that the VMAs now stands for the “voluptuous Megan awards.” She later performed.
Earlier in the evening, Karol G took over, for a fiery performance of her hit, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido.” Rauw Alejandro brought Puerto Rico to the stage, running through “Touching The Sky,” “DILUIVO” and “Dejame Entrar.”
LL COOL J celebrated 40 years of Def Jam Records with Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav and Chuck D.
Halsey took it to the suburbs for her new single, “Ego,” channeling garage bands. GloRilla’s “Yeah Glo!” and “TGIF” brought style.
Blackpink’s LISA, the best K-pop award winner, made her way to the VMA stage for the first time as a soloist, powering through two of her brand-new singles, “New Woman” and “Rockstar.” Shawn Mendes made along-awaited return, debuting a new John Mayer-esq. acoustic number, “Nobody Knows.”
Advertisem*nt 10
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Anitta performed “Paradise,” “Alegria,” and “Savage Funk,” joined by DJ Khaled, Fat Joe and Tiago PZK and won the award for best Latin. Camilla Cabello performed in a panopticon. Benson Boone seemed as stoked as ever to perform his viral hit “Beautiful Things” on the VMAs stage. Lenny Kravitz proved rock isn’t dead with “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” “Human” and finally “Fly,” in which he was joined by Quavo.
The 40th VMAs were held at the UBS Arena on New York’s Long Island.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.
The night was stacked with celebrities and featured plenty of Swift, who arrived at the award show 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 “Fortnight” music video, two social categories and nods in the best pop and artist of the year categories. She’s followed by her “Fortnight” collaborator Post Malone, who has 11. He is nominated along with Swift 10 times and earned his 11th nom for his country hit “I Had Some Help,” featuring Morgan Wallen.
Advertisem*nt 11
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
She took home nine VMAs last year, bringing her total to an impressive 23. That places her just behind Beyonce, who has 30 and just ahead of Madonna, who has 20 awards. Lady Gaga, has 19.
Seven Swift wins would tie Beyonce’s record, and if she wins eight, she could become the most awarded musician in VMA history.
Throughout the night, MTV flashed back to history-making across the VMAs’ 40-year-run, including Britney Spears’ albino python and Madonna’s performance of “Like A Virgin.”
The VMAs aired on MTV and simulcast on BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Nick at Nite, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land, VH1, and in Spanish on Univision.
Article content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Create an AccountSign in
Join the Conversation
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
Trending
- WARMINGTON: Simcoe woman in 'state of shock' over squirt-gun assault charge
- SUNshine Girl Brandy
- Dave Grohl’s wife ditches wedding ring after infidelity announcement
- LILLEY: Premiers push back on Trudeau's refugee resettlement plan
- DEAR ABBY: Couple stunned by discovery of friends' declared beliefs
Read Next
Latest National Stories