Taylor Swift becomes most-awarded artist in MTV VMAs history
Taylor Swift has become the most-awarded artist in MTV Video Music Awards history after picking up two major honours at the 2026 ceremony in Los Angeles.
Swift surpassed Beyoncé’s previous total of 30 VMAs after receiving the inaugural Artist Director Honors and winning video of the year for The Fate of Ophelia.
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The 36-year-old received the new directing award in recognition of her work behind the camera, having written and directed 18 of the roughly 60 music videos she has been involved with during her career.
Swift also premiered the video for her latest song Patient Zero during the ceremony.
Directed by the singer and starring Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell, the track is one of four new songs included on The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, the recently released expanded edition of her 2025 album.
Madonna and Lisa among the night's winners
Madonna also enjoyed a successful night, winning artist of the year as well as best dance and best collaboration for Bring Your Love with Sabrina Carpenter.
The pair performed together during the ceremony, marking Madonna's return to the VMAs stage.
Blackpink's Lisa won best pop for Dream, becoming the first Asian solo artist to take the award, while British singer Sienna Spiro was named best new artist.
Other winners included BTS for best group and song of the year with Swim, Olivia Rodrigo for best alternative with The Cure, and PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson for best art direction with Stateside.
The ceremony, hosted by Snoop Dogg, also featured tributes to Dolly Parton and George Michael, while Nirvana received the Video Vanguard Award.