Taylor Swift is adding another title to her résumé: the first-ever recipient of the Artist Director Honors at the 2026 MTV VMAs. CBS and MTV announced Monday that the new award celebrates artists whose behind-the-camera work has expanded what music videos can be, honoring a sustained body of work with a clear directorial voice. The show airs September 27.
Swift’s directing credits speak for themselves. She made her solo directorial debut with“The Man”in 2020, taking home best direction that same year. Her All Too Well: The Short Film followed in 2022, winning video of the year, best longform video, and best direction. Add it up, and she’s collected 30 Moon Persons, including four best direction wins from seven nominations.
This year’s VMAs are stacked: Swift enters with 11 nominations, second only to Madonna’s 13, while Snoop Dogg hosts and Nirvana receives the Video Vanguard Award. Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress, and Zara Larsson are among the night’s leading nominees.
What Taylor Swift music video do you think proves she’s a serious director? Let us know in the comments.
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Local Lawton
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