The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) are returning this Wednesday night, and all eyes are on Taylor Swift as she has a chance to make history. Swift leads the pack with 12 nominations this year, including eight for her music video “Fortnight,” two in social categories, and nominations for Best Pop and Artist of the Year. Close behind her is Post Malone, her collaborator on “Fortnight,” who has 11 nominations—10 alongside Swift and an additional nod for his country track “I Had Some Help,” featuring Morgan Wallen.
While it’s still uncertain if Swift will attend the VMAs, her presence could be significant, especially following her public endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris after Harris’s recent debate against former President Donald Trump. If Swift does make an appearance and wins, she may use the platform to show her support for Harris. Given her past appearances, we can expect Swift to deliver multiple speeches if she takes home awards.
Swift currently has 23 VMAs, having won nine last year. This puts her just behind Beyoncé, who holds 30 VMAs, and ahead of Madonna, who has 20. Lady Gaga follows closely with 19. If Swift wins seven awards, she would tie with Beyoncé’s record, and if she takes home eight, she would become the most-awarded artist in VMA history. However, Beyoncé is also in the running this year with nominations for Song of the Year for “Texas Hold ‘Em” and two social categories, so the competition remains tight.
The VMAs will kick off at 8 p.m. Eastern at the UBS Arena on Long Island, New York, and will be hosted by Megan Thee Stallion, marking her first time as an awards show host. She is also slated to perform. Over the past two years, Nicki Minaj held hosting duties—solo in 2023 and alongside Lil Wayne and Jack Harlow in 2022.
This year, Katy Perry is set to receive the prestigious Video Vanguard Award and will perform as well. Previous honorees include Shakira, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, and Missy Elliott.
The performance lineup is packed with big names, including Eminem, who will open the show, as well as Benson Boone, Sabrina Carpenter, Megan Thee Stallion, Chappell Roan, GloRilla, Halsey, Lenny Kravitz, LISA, Rauw Alejandro, Karol G, LL COOL J, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, and Anitta, who will perform with Fat Joe, DJ Khaled, and Tiago PZK.
The VMAs will be broadcast live on MTV and simulcast across several other networks, including BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV2, Nick at Nite, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land, VH1, and Univision for Spanish-speaking audiences.
