Taylor Swift will receive the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, a new award for artists who direct some or all of their own music videos, at Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards. CBS and MTV made the announcement on Monday morning, though it did not confirm whether Swift would attend the ceremony at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles in person, Variety reported.
The networks said the award is intended for artists "whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling." They added that it "celebrates a sustained and influential body of work from artists who have pushed creative boundaries and developed a clear directorial voice."
Swift has directed all of her music videos in recent years and, as Variety reported, has been nominated for Best Director at the VMAs seven times, winning the category four times. Her directing credits include "The Fate of Ophelia," "Opalite," "The Man," "Cardigan," "Willow," "All Too Well: The Short Film," "Anti-Hero," "Bejeweled," "Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)," "Karma (feat. Ice Spice)" and "Lavender Haze."
The announcement followed news that Madonna will open the show with her first VMAs performance in 23 years. Snoop Dogg is hosting the two-hour telecast, which airs live from Los Angeles from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET on CBS and MTV and streams on Paramount+ (Premium) in the U.S., with global availability on Paramount+ and MTV the following day.
At the 2022 VMAs, Swift used her acceptance speech to announce her album "Midnights." Fans have speculated, without confirmation, that she may release a deluxe edition of her 2006 debut album this fall, Variety reported. When she bought her Big Machine-era master recordings in May 2025, Swift told fans she had not re-recorded "Reputation" and did not feel the need to, but had made a new version of her self-titled album and would likely put it out eventually.
Figures referenced: Taylor Swift. — JudgeMarket.
