Taylor Swift accepts inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honor

musicSep 28, 2026224,531

At the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Taylor Swift received the ceremony's first-ever Artist Director Honor, an accolade organizers said recognizes artists whose work behind the camera has expanded music-video storytelling. Swift thanked her fans and everyone she has collaborated with, then premiered the music video for her new single "Patient Zero," which stars Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell. The Artist Director Honor, together with Swift's other wins that night including Video of the Year, made her the most-awarded artist in VMA history with 33 Moon Person trophies. The show also featured Madonna performing with Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX and Madonna winning Artist of the Year.

Pop Base

@popbase.tv

Taylor Swift dedicates her Video of the Year award to Dolly Parton at the #VMAs : “The ultimate showgirl […] We were all very lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton”

259112d ago

Rio Tiempo105

Dolly would never invite ice to a party

am-mccarthy.bsky.social63

She should act more like her, rather than dedicate a stupid award to her.

BlackOwl46

Dolly Parton would probably point out that Taylor Swift invited ICE officials to her wedding recently, and then avoid her. She is not the hero people imagine she is.

epic0311.bsky.social34

She should be a philanthropist like her. But greed has a way of darkening the soul.

Blue_Riverrrr26

I hope that Taylor takes a page from Dolly’s book and dedicates her life to using her vast wealth to benefit those less fortunate.

Steve Cook19

"I'm dedicating this award to her, because donating money to a charity would be too difficult for a billionaire like me." She's trash. Go divorce your husband and write another song about how men suck

Quoting this

TaylorAllen13312

LMAO they don't care to wait for CBS #VMAs #BB28 😭

END EVERY REPUBLICAN5

the FUX @ FUX news and MAGA will find some horribly despicable reason to hate Taylor Swift for this. End the MAGA INSANITY by ENDING EVERY REPUBLICAN!!! on November 3rd

DoctorDee 🇺🇦 Слава Україні5

I was a teenage dirtbag. I'm in love with rock n roll. I perpetually wear punk's sneer, I salute those who die in a hotel room in a pool of their own vomit with a needle stuck in their arm. I was born to lose, and the 27 club are my heroes. But Dr Taylor Alison Swift is the greatest pop star.

lia|babylon #1 stan4

Stop im gonna cry i miss her

D2233

Didn't she invite people with ties to ICE to her wedding?

sherrimcgrath.bsky.social2

We were very lucky! Where you can choose to be anything choose being a Dolly!

Taylor Swift Updates

@taylorswiftinfo.bsky.social

Taylor Swift hugging and taking pictures with young Swifties at the VMAs!

120012d ago

Steph 🥀18

Rich woman takes photo with rich kids at rich person event.

MauiPat6

That's how a lifelong, lifetime career is created. With kindness.

Rachele5

She has such a good heart.

ashleigh ⚔️5

awweee did she apologize to any of them for bringing ICE to her wedding? still no apologies for that? oh, okay…

Digital Soundbath3

You know thats some Exec's daughter

Fran O’Rourke2

She’s a very classy and warm lady! I love her also and I’m 72!!

Quoting this

✨Libbey✨15

and this goes back to @fearlessfeli.swifties.social ‘s point: you cannot fake this kind of graciousness and ease and if there’s one thing kids can pick up on it’s bad energy

tabi5

i can’t wait until she gets to be a mom 🥰

Gabri ⸆⸉ ✨2

*heart bursts for the 13th million time*

Patrick Monahan

@pattymo.com

Taylor Swift doing the Taylor Swift Surprised Face at the VMAs upon finding out she’s the inaugural winner of the Taylor Swift Award

31912d ago

Nathan Wellman (Acolytes of Horror)5

Kanye West had the chance to do the first funny thing he’s done in a long time tonight

Greg2

literally recreating a Simpsons bit

Werewolf Bar Kochba1

She still doesn’t have a FIFA Peace Prize.

Pop Crave

@popcrave.com

Taylor Swift accepting the Artist Director Honors at the VMAs. 🎥: Getty

12112d ago

Movies, Muppets & Music3

I'm pleased for her, but that letter cropping is unfortunate.

Davis1

She looks surprised to win, but it was created for her… 🤷‍♂️

SecondClassLife1

No one cares about Zionist trash

Princess Chia1

I can’t tell you how much I can’t stand to see her with her mouth wide open! Every fucking time.

bostondad29.bsky.social1

Now they just making up awards. Wtf does artist director mean?

Quoting this

Ryan James Dee6

The award she had created lol. This is the equivalent to the FIFA Peace Prize 🤪

giulia 🍂🎃🔮☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★

@giuliaisamirrorball.swifties.social

taylor receiving artist director honors, the fate of ophelia winning video of the year, and opalite winning best direction I KNOW THAT’S RIGHT

7312d ago

karlie (taylor’s version)

@memorygarden1989.swifties.social

Taylor Swift accepting the “Artist Director Honor” award at the VMAs

3412d ago

Tracklist

@tracklist.com.br

🚨 "The Fate of Ophelia", de Taylor Swift, VENCEU a categoria "Clipe do Ano" no #VMAs

2012d ago

Quoting this

Artista Anteriormente conhecido como victor2

Porque ainda tem VMA se a os caras acabaram com todos os canais dedicados à música da MTV?

Mari 💋

@maritalks2much.bsky.social

I’m not gonna lie Taylor Swift did a great job on that Patient Zero video #VMAs

2712d ago

erika🦋🌷

@nicknamethebolter.swifties.social

our happy girl with her gold and silver awards tonight 💖

Taylor Swift, wearing a black top and silver sparkly skirt, accepts the Artist Director Honors onstage at 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (Gold Moonman) held at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)

2212d ago

Tom & Lorenzo

@tomandlorenzo.bsky.social

Taylor Swift sauntered into the VMAs expecting a good night, which she got, and serving up pure adult sophistication in her style tomandlorenzo.com/2026/09/vmas...

2311d ago

SAG-AFTRA

@sagaftra.org

A Moon Person looks good on our members' mantle. 🌙🏆 Congratulations to our SAG-AFTRA recording artists who were honored at the #VMAs! We’re proud to represent the artists whose music, performances and creativity move culture forward. 🎶 www.billboard.com/lists/vmas-w...

1611d ago