Taylor Swift to Become Most Awarded Artist in VMA History with New Honour

Taylor Swift is set to become the most decorated artist in MTV Video Music Awards history at this year's ceremony, where she will receive the inaugural Artist Director Honors.

The new accolade, which the VMAs say recognises artists whose work behind the camera has broadened the possibilities of the music video and advanced visual storytelling, will lift Swift's career total to 31. She currently shares the record for the most-awarded musician in VMA history with Beyoncé, who has 30. Eminem holds the most VMAs among male artists, with 15.

The two-hour show will air live on CBS on Sunday, September 27, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern and 4:30 p.m. Pacific from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Snoop Dogg will host, with a simultaneous broadcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ in the United States. The ceremony will be available globally on Paramount+ and MTV the following day.

Madonna heads this year's nominations with 11, spanning video, artist and song of the year as well as best collaboration, dance, direction, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography and visual effects. Swift follows with nine nods.

Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each earned seven nominations, while Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson have five apiece. Blackpink's LISA picked up four, and Shakira, Tate McRae, GENER8ION and Yung Lean are tied at three.

Grande, Mars, Carpenter and Morgan Wallen join Madonna and Swift in the artist of the year category.

The ceremony features 26 first-time nominees, among them GENER8ION and Yung Lean for their "Storm" collaboration, K-pop group CORTIS and viral "Boston" singer Stella Lefty, who have two nominations each. Don Toliver, Kali Uchis, Noah Kahan, Olivia Dean, Tucker Wetmore and Sienna Spiro are also first-time nominees.

The best dance category returns after a seven-year absence, with nominees including McRae's "Nobody's Girl," Bebe Rexha and Faithless's "New Religion," Harry Styles's "Aperture," Lady Gaga and Doechii's "Runway," Madonna's "Confessions II — The Film," and PinkPantheress's "Stateside" with Larsson and Slayyyter's "Dance …"

Madonna will open the show, marking her first VMA performance in 23 years. Other performers include GENER8ION with Yung Lean, Shaboozey with Gunna, and Lisa, Raye and Sienna Spiro.

Nirvana will receive the 2026 Video Vanguard Award, a honour previously given to artists including Shakira, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Missy Elliott and Katy Perry.

Fan voting opened online in mid-August across 13 categories and closes September 25 at 6 p.m. Eastern and 3 p.m. Pacific. Voting in the best new artist category will stay open during the show.