NEW YORK (AP) — The MTV Video Music Awards return Wednesday night with plenty 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 nominations in the Best Pop and Artist of the Year categories. She is followed by her “Fortnight” collaborator According to Malone, who has 11. He is nominated ten times along with Swift and received his eleventh nomination for his country hit “I Had Some Help” with Morgan Wallen.
It is unclear whether Swift will participate in the show, but if she does, the win would give her a prominent stage to express their support for Kamala Harris’ presidential candidacy. Fast supported the Vice President Tuesday night, moments after Harris’ Debate with former President Donald Trump ended.
If the past few years are any indication, Swift may give multiple speeches.
She won nine VMAs last year, bringing her total to an impressive 23. That puts her just behind Beyoncewho, with 30, is just ahead of Madonna with 20 awards. Lady Gaga has 19.
Seven VMA wins would put Swift at a par with Beyoncé’s record, and eight wins would make her the most-awarded female artist in VMA history.
That is, if Beyoncé doesn’t take home any of her own trophies. She’s nominated for song of the year (“Texas Hold ‘Em”) and two social categories.
The VMAs, which begin at 8 p.m. Eastern Time and take place at the UBS Arena on Long Island in New York, will be hosted by Megan Thee Stallion. It will be her first time hosting an awards show. She will also perform in her own right. For the past two years, the show has been hosted by Nicki Minaj: in 2023, she hosted alone, and in 2022, she was joined by Lil Wayne and Jack Harlow.
Katy Perry receive the Video Vanguard Award and also perform. Previous award winners include Shakira, Beyoncé, Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna and Missy Elliott.
Other scheduled artists 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 will be accompanied 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.
