Pop superstar Taylor Swift made the whole place shimmer at MTV’s annual Video Music Awards on Tuesday as she racked up trophies to add to her collection. The 33-year-old singer claimed the top prize for her smash hit song “Anti-Hero,” which was up against some ferocious competition. Swift’s haul included nine trophies, including Best Song, Pop Video, Artist of the Year, and Direction, tying her with three-time winner Madonna for most VMA wins by a female artist. She also won Music Video of the Year, making it four Moon Persons and tying her with legendary director Spike Jonze for the most career victories as a music video director in VMA history.
The first single from Swift’s 2022 “Midnights” album, the track depicts a litany of insecurities with a chorus declaring: “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.” Swift, who is on a break from her record-setting Eras Tour, gave a surprisingly emotional speech and thanked her creative team for helping her to make the video. She also praised her mentor, Jack Antonoff, who produced the track and directed the video. “I love you guys,” she said, adding that the song has helped her to come to terms with her issues of depression and self-loathing.
She also took the opportunity to reveal that her new album is called Midnights and that it will contain 13 (her lucky number) tracks. She will also release a deluxe version of the album, including three bonus tracks, at Target.
In a category that saw the likes of Beyonce, Shakira, and Nicki Minaj compete for the title, Swift won the award for artist of the year. “This is unbelievable,” she said on stage as she held the Moon Person statuette for video. “This means so much to me, and I’m so grateful.”
She entertained viewers on a night filled with music performances ranging from dreamy ballads to fiery trap cuts, as did the surprise announcement of Minaj’s new music. She revealed that she would release a new song with Drake and perform the brand-new teaser for her upcoming second studio album.
Other winners included Beyonce, who won the Video Vanguard Award and the Global Icon Award, Sean Combs for the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, and Drake with the award for best collaboration. The night was also highlighted by an exceptional performance by the cast of the hit musical The Bodyguard and a cameo from rapper 50 Cent. VMA host Nicki Minaj also released a new song to celebrate her 10th anniversary with the show. Click through the gallery to see all the winners from this night of glittering trophies.