Taylor Swift accepts inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honor

musicSep 28, 2026151,355

At the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, Taylor Swift accepted the inaugural Artist Director Honor, an award organizers said recognizes artists whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling. Swift thanked her fans and everyone she has collaborated with on her music videos, then premiered the music video for her new single "Patient Zero," which stars Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell. The Artist Director Honor, combined with Swift's other wins Sunday night including Video of the Year, made her the VMAs' most-awarded artist ever with 33 total Moon People. Madonna opened the show with performances from her Confessions II era and later won Artist of the Year after joint numbers with Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX. The ceremony also featured Kacey Musgraves paying tribute to the late Dolly Parton, LISA debuting her single "SaWaDiKa," and Nirvana receiving the Video Vanguard award with archival footage of Kurt Cobain. MTV described the new accolade as celebrating artists who expand visual storytelling in music videos, placing Swift at the center of that initiative going forward.

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”

6935h ago

Rio Tiempo23

Dolly would never invite ice to a party

am-mccarthy.bsky.social9

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

epic0311.bsky.social7

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

Blue_Riverrrr3

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.

plc3

no comment on palestine. of course she is a sheeran girl.

yimmysue.bsky.social3

When you know you're gonna win, it really makes you put in the effort on that speech.

Quoting this

TaylorAllen13311

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

lia|babylon #1 stan3

Stop im gonna cry i miss her

D2233

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

Taylor Swift Updates

@taylorswiftinfo.bsky.social

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

2784h ago

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

1813h ago

Nathan Wellman (Acolytes of Horror)3

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

Pop Crave

@popcrave.com

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

844h ago

Movies, Muppets & Music2

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

Davis1

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

Princess Chia1

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

Quoting this

Ryan James Dee5

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

karlie (taylor’s version)

@memorygarden1989.swifties.social

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

325h ago

Mari 💋

@maritalks2much.bsky.social

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

223h ago

Tracklist

@tracklist.com.br

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

135h 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?

Sarah (eldest daughter)❤️‍🔥

@inmyspeaknowera.swifties.social

Taylor’s speech for Video Of The Year - The Fate of Ophelia❤️‍🔥 youtu.be/d-uYZWQRPI0?...

103h 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)

144h ago

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

91h ago

Every Film Now

@everyfilmnow.bsky.social

Taylor Swift pays tribute to Dolly Parton at the VMAs. #TaylorSwift #DollyParton #VMAs

54h ago

Sarah Cupcakes

@cupcakesarenice.bsky.social

Taylor Swift could have filmed a pile of poop and they still would have given her this award. #VMAs

54h ago

chart data {bot}

@chartdata.xmirror.bot

Taylor Swift extends her record for most career awards in #VMAs history (32).

34h ago

Tierra Curry

@savelifeonearth.bsky.social

“Show love, spread love, give love.” —Snoop Dog wins life, Taylor Swift wins video of the year, and Dolly lives forever. #vmas 🫶 🕺🏽 🎸

34h ago

Dawn ⸆⸉ ོ

@readlovethink.swifties.social

Dakota Johnson is presenting an award to Taylor for Artist Director Honor for her music videos!💕

35h ago

3 sources

cbsnews.comMadonna wins 2026 MTV VMAs Artist of the Year, Taylor Swift accepts Artist Director Honor hollywoodwarthog.comTaylor Swift Makes History with Inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors at 2026 Ceremony pidgeon.newsTaylor Swift receives first Artist Director Honors and debuts Patient Zero at VMAs

Taylor Swift accepts inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honormusic

Taylor Swift accepts inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honor

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