NEW YORK — Taylor Swift’s dominance continued at the MTV Video Music trophies when she won seven trophies, including the night’s largest, the trophy for video of the year.
In her address Wednesday night, Swift praised her “boyfriend, Travis” for being on the set of the “Fortnight” music video and cheering her on. Fans screamed with delight when NFL player Travis Kelce was mentioned.
“Everything this man touches turns to happiness, fun, and magic,” she remarked, before moving gears to the 2024 presidential race and encouraging her over-18 supporters to register to vote.
Swift did not, however, criticize Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign on stage. Swift backed the vice president on Tuesday night, just moments after Harris’ debate with former President Donald Trump concluded.
Swift’s awards sweep raises her career total to 30, tying her with Beyoncé for the most VMA awards in history. Eminem is currently the male artist with the most VMAs, with 15.
Swift and Post Malone also won the VMAs’ first broadcast award for best collaboration, “Fortnight,” which was presented to them by Flavour Flav and Olympian Jordan Chiles.
Swift began her address by paying tribute to everyone who lost their lives and loved ones on 9/11, 23 years ago.
“I’ve just been thinking about what happened 23 years ago, everyone who lost a loved one and everyone that we lost and that is the most important thing about today,” she told me. “And everything that happens tonight falls behind that.”
She then turned to talk about Malone.
“There is a reason Post Malone is everyone in music’s favourite person to collaborate with,” she said, turning her gaze to him. “It has taken forever for me to get him to stop calling me ma’am.”
Taylor Swift Wins Big At The MTV VMAs To Tie Beyoncé’s Record And Thanks Travis Kelce
Chappell Roan received the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist.
“I dedicate this to all the drag artists who inspire me,” she stated during her address while wearing chain mail and reading from a written speech in her diary. “I’m dedicating this to the gay and trans people that govern pop… “Thank you for listening.”
Women dominated the award event, with Roan’s innovative, medieval set serving as a prime example.
Drag queen Sasha Colby presented her as “your favourite drag queen’s favourite artist,” alluding to Roan’s now-famous Coachella performance, which was inspired by Colby. Real supporters will undoubtedly have enjoyed the hyper-referential tidbit.
Roan came in armor, blasting a lighted crossbow at the castle gates behind her, which burned in the process. Her dancers were knights, battling each other in breathtaking choreography while she performed her queer pop hit “Good Luck, Babe.”
Sabrina Carpenter, the other 2024 pop vocalist, won the Song of the Year award for “Espresso.”
“This is really special,” she remarked in a speech dedicated to her supporters. “And thank you to that me-espresso.”
Earlier in the night, she sang her popular singles “Please Please Please,” “Taste,” and “Espresso” during the award event, dancing alongside a moon man and an alien.
Katy Perry accepted the Video Vanguard Award, playing 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 said after receiving the award from her partner, Orlando Bloom. “To have a long and successful career as an artist, several factors must come together. “There are no decade-long accidents.”
She also teased a new song called “I’m His, He’s Mine,” which features Doechii and borrows the Crystal Waters classic “Gipsy Woman (La Da Dee La Da Da).”
Previous Video Vanguard Award winners include Shakira, Beyoncé, Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, and Missy Elliott.
Eminem opened the VMAs with a medley of his singles “Houdini” and “Somebody Save Me,” incorporating a televised feed of Jelly Roll. (The song refers to Jelly Roll’s big country radio hit “Save Me.”)
Megan Thee Stallion, a first-time host, welcomed the audience Wednesday night, joking that the VMAs now stand for the “voluptuous Megan awards.” She later performed.
Earlier in the evening, Karol G took over with a fierce rendition of her classic, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido.” Rauw Alejandro took Puerto Rico to the stage, performing “Touching the Sky,” “DILUIVO,” and “Déjame Entrar.”
Tyla received the best Afrobeats award.
Taylor Swift Wins Big At The MTV VMAs To Tie Beyoncé’s Record And Thanks Travis Kelce
Flavour Flav and Chuck D of Public Enemy joined LL COOL J to commemorate Def Jam Records’ 40th anniversary.
Halsey channeled garage bands in her new single, “Ego,” which is set in the suburbs. GloRilla’s “Yeah Glo!” and “TGIF” added style.
Blackpink’s LISA, the best K-pop award winner, made her VMA debut as a soloist, belting out two brand-new tunes, “New Woman” and “Rockstar.” Shawn Mendes made his long-awaited return with a new John Mayer-esque acoustic single, “Nobody Knows.”
Anitta received the prize for best Latin with her performances of “Paradise,” “Alegria,” and “Savage Funk,” which included DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, and Tiago PZK. Camilla Cabello performed in a panopticon. Benson Boone was as excited as ever to sing his viral hit “Beautiful Things” on the VMA stage. Lenny Kravitz proved that rock isn’t dead with “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” “Human,” and finally “Fly,” in which he was accompanied by Quavo.
The 40th VMAs took place in the UBS Arena on Long Island, New York.
The night was filled with superstars, including Swift, who came in a green tartan corset with a matching train and long black leather gloves.
Throughout the night, MTV flashed back to iconic moments from the VMAs’ 40-year history, such as Britney Spears’ albino python and Madonna’s performance of “Like A Virgin.”
SOURCE | AP
