Taylor Swift has made MTV Video Music Awards history after becoming the most decorated artist in the ceremony’s history.
The 36-year-old singer entered Sunday’s event tied with Beyoncé on 30 Moonman trophies but moved ahead after receiving the inaugural Artist Director Honors for her work behind the camera and contribution to visual storytelling.
Swift also took home the Video of the Year award, which she dedicated to late country music icon Dolly Parton.
While honouring Parton, Swift praised her songwriting and storytelling, saying the country legend brought vivid storytelling to every song she wrote. She also commended Parton for the way she handled fame with “grace and love and gratitude.”
Swift used the awards ceremony to premiere the music video for her new single, “Patient Zero.” The video features actors Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson.
In the song, Swift addresses a woman about a relationship involving a man with whom the singer says she had a toxic past.
However, Swift did not win in some of the night’s major categories. The Artist of the Year award went to Madonna.
While accepting the honour, Madonna recalled an incident from the first MTV awards show, when her manager reportedly warned that her career was finished after she briefly exposed herself to the audience during a performance mishap.
“My manager said my career was over,” Madonna recalled, adding that the person was no longer her manager.
Madonna, 68, also returned to the VMAs stage for the first time since her memorable 2003 performance, during which she kissed Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
She opened this year’s ceremony alongside Sabrina Carpenter, performing “Bring Your Love”, before joining Charli XCX for “Danceteria.”
Madonna and Carpenter later received the Best Collaboration award following their performance. The pair joked about how Madonna had contacted Carpenter through social media to arrange their studio collaboration.
Meanwhile, grunge rock band Nirvana received the Video Vanguard Award, becoming the first group in more than 20 years to receive the prestigious honour.
Nirvana’s frontman, Kurt Cobain, died by suicide in 1994, following the huge commercial success of the albums “Nevermind” and “In Utero.”
Speaking after a video retrospective celebrating the band’s work, bassist Krist Novoselic said Nirvana continues to connect with audiences because people remain interested in authenticity and music that is uncompromising.
Thai singer LISA, a member of the global girl group Blackpink, won the Best Pop award for “Dream,” featuring Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi.
Most of the evening’s awards were presented offstage, while the main ceremony focused heavily on musical performances and entertainment.
Country star Kacey Musgraves led a tribute to the late Dolly Parton, while Teddy Swims, Sombr and Raye joined forces for a tribute to George Michael, marking 40 years since the release of his landmark album “Faith.”
Rapper Snoop Dogg hosted the ceremony, which was broadcast on CBS and MTV.
Source: VANGUARD
