Taylor Swift Makes History With Most Ever Wins at MTV VMAs

Taylor Swift made history at the 2026 MTV VMAs as she became the most awarded artist in the show's history during the Sept. 27 ceremony at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater.BySep 28, 2026 1:46 AMTagsTaylor Swift Channels "Patient Zero" in Daring VMAs 2026 Red Carpet LookTaylor Swift is filling up her blank space with some new hardware. The “Fate of Ophelia” singer officially made history at the 2026 MTV VMAs by becoming the most awarded artist in the show's history during the Sept. 27 ceremony at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater. The 36-year-old—who was up for nine awards at the big night in music—was feeling all too well as she won the first-ever recipient of the Artist-Director award, an honor bestowed to a musician “whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling,” according to a press release from MTV. "I got to start making music videos and being a part of music videos 20 years ago, and since then I've gotten to be a part of making 60 music videos," she said onstage. "Eighteen of those I wrote and directed. I really love writing and directing music videos." "I got to tell you though, the main reason why I love writing and directing music videos so much is because you, the fans, make it so much fun," she continued. "You make it so rewarding because you actually care about what we're making."The wins also meant that she officially surpassed Beyoncé for most MTV VMA wins, as the two were previously tied with 30 Moonman statues apiece. Since making her first foray in the field as a co-director on her 2010 video “Mine,” Swift has self-directed a majority of her songs’ visuals, including “The Man,” "I Bet You Think About Me,” “All Too Well: The Short Film,” “Anti-Hero” and “Bejeweled.” And Swift’s latest directing achievement was on display during the award show—hosted by Snoop Dogg—as she premiered her new music video for “Patient Zero,” starring Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell.Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesThe video comes just days after Swift dropped “Patient Zero” on her Sept. 25 release The Life of a Showgirl: Encore. In addition to the new track, the album included three additional new songs including “Pink Clouding,” “Babylon” and “Cleveland!,” the latter of which was all about her love story with husband Travis Kelce. "Something we all can agree on / But my baby likes what he likes," she sings on the track. "He already took me to Cleveland / And showed me The Heights, so hate all you like / This is the love of my life." For more iconic moments from the 2026 MTV VMAs, keep reading. Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesTaylor SwiftFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesTeyana TaylorFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesParis HiltonJohn Shearer/WireImageCharli xcxJohn Shearer/WireImageDave Grohl & Jordyn BlumMonica Schipper/WireImageLisa RinnaFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesCiara MillerFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesNic VansteenbergheFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesLISATodd Williamson/CBS via Getty ImagesRayeFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesSombrFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesTeddy SwimsDoug Peters/PA Images via Getty ImagesPinkPantheressJohn Shearer/WireImageNormaniFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesRachel DratchJohn Shearer/WireImageTylaFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesAlex WarrenJohn Shearer/WireImageDavid CorenswetLISA O'CONNOR / AFP via Getty ImagesNicky HiltonLISA O'CONNOR / AFP via Getty ImagesFrench MontanaFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesEmma BuntonMonica Schipper/WireImageShaboozeyFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesBebe RexhaLISA O'CONNOR / AFP via Getty ImagesAdam LambertFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesJesse SolomonFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesFlavor Flav & Chuck DFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesNirvanaFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesSienna SpiroKevin Mazur/Getty ImagesChloe BaileyFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesOlandriaHead to E! Online's 2024 Video Music Awards page for a full recap of the night's jaw-dropping fashions and every must-see moment.