Big night for women of pop at MTV VMAs as Taylor Swift takes home seven gongs
Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards 2024. Picture: Doug Peters/PA Wire
It was a big night for women at last night's MTV Video Music Awards, with Taylor Swift alone taking home seven gongs.
The wins took the Cruel Summer singer's career total to 30, equalling Beyonce as the most awarded musician in VMAs history.
Swift picked up the prizes for video of the year for Fortnight, featuring Post Malone, artist of the year and best collaboration among her record-equalling haul at the 40th edition of the annual event, which was held at the UBS Arena on New York’s Long Island.
She overtook Beyonce as the most decorated solo artist, following her fellow US superstar previously picking up gongs for being in girl group Destiny’s Child, and her collaborations with husband Jay-Z as The Carters.
Upon receiving her award for video of the year, Swift thanked her “boyfriend”, NFL player Travis Kelce, for his support.
“Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic,” she said.
Elsewhere, Sabrina Carpenter picked up song of the year for Espresso, while Blackpink’s LISA won the best K-pop award and Good Luck, Babe singer Chappell Roan was named best new artist
Roan dedicated her gong at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) to the LGBT+ community.
Her 2023 debut album, The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess, had a slow rise to number one in the UK chart, before becoming a chart-topper this year, and catapulting her to fame.
She appeared emotional as she addressed the VMAs, saying: “I dedicate this (award) to all the drag artists who inspire me, and I dedicate this to queer and trans people that fuel pop, to the gays who dedicate my songs to someone they love or hate.
“And thank you to the people who are fans, who listen to me, who hear me when I share my joy and my fears.
“Thank you for listening. And for all the queer kids in the Midwest watching right now, I see you, I understand you, because I’m one of you, and don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t be exactly who you wanna be, bitch.”
The US singer-songwriter, 26, has previously come out as gay, while speaking to fans earlier this year.
I Kissed a Girl singer Katy Perry received the Video Vanguard award, which recognises lifetime achievement.
“There are so many things that have to align to have a long and successful career as an artist,” Perry said.
“There are no decade-long accidents.” Previous recipients of the award include include Shakira, Beyonce, Madonna and Jennifer Lopez.
Perry performed a medley of her biggest songs, including Roar, Teenage Dream and Firework, while Carpenter, Roan, Lisa and LL Cool J were among the other performers on the night.
