NEW YORK– The MTV Video Music Awards return Wednesday night with a whole lot of Taylor Swift. Will she become the most awarded musician in VMA history?
The pop star leads the nominations with 12 – eight for her music video ‘Fortnight’, two social categories and nods in the best pop and artist of the year categories. She is followed by her ‘Fortnight’ collaborator Post Malone, who has eleven. He has been nominated ten times along with Swift and earned his eleventh nomination for his country hit “I Had Some Help,” starring Morgan Wallen.
It’s unclear whether Swift will attend the show, but if she does, the win would give her a prominent stage to express support for Kamala Harris’ presidential bid. Swift endorsed the vice president Tuesday night, moments after Harris’ debate with former President Donald Trump ended.
If previous years are any indication, Swift may give multiple speeches.
Last year she took home nine VMAs, bringing her total to an impressive 23. That puts her just behind Beyoncé, who has thirty, and just ahead of Madonna, who has twenty awards. Lady Gaga has 19.
Seven Swift wins would tie Beyoncé’s record, and if she wins eight, she could become the most awarded musician in VMA history.
That is, if Beyoncé doesn’t take home any of her own trophies. She is nominated for song of the year (“Texas Hold ‘Em”) and two social categories.
The VMAs, which start at 8 PM Eastern and are held at the UBS Arena on New York’s Long Island, will be hosted by Megan Thee Stallion. It is her first time hosting an awards ceremony. She will also perform. The last two years were hosted by Nicki Minaj: she performed solo in 2023, in 2022 she was joined by Lil Wayne and Jack Harlow.
Katy Perry receives the Video Vanguard Award and also performs. Past winners include Shakira, Beyoncé, Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna and Missy Elliott.
Other scheduled performers include Eminem, who will open the show, as well as Benson Boone, Sabrina Carpenter, Megan Thee Stallion, Chappell Roan, GloRilla, Halsey, Lenny Kravitz, LISA, Rauw Alejandro, Karol G, LL COOL J, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello and Anitta, who is joined by Fat Joe, DJ Khaled and Tiago PZK.
The VMAs will air on MTV and be 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.
