At the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, Taylor Swift not only celebrated her remarkable success but also took a poignant moment to honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which shook the world 23 years ago.
Swift, who won seven awards at the ceremony, including artist of the year and video of the year for her hit Fortnight, used her platform to reflect on the tragedy that occurred on September 11, 2001.
Swift, a New York resident, expressed her sentiments early in the evening as she accepted her first award for best collaboration with Post Malone for Fortnight.
Taking the stage, she paused to remember the significance of the day: “Waking up this morning in New York on September 11, I’ve just been thinking about what happened 23 years ago, everyone who lost a loved one and everyone that we lost,” she said. “And that is the most important thing about today. Everything that happens tonight falls behind that.”
The September 11 attacks remain one of the most harrowing events in American history. On that day in 2001, four passenger jets were hijacked and used as weapons in coordinated suicide attacks. Two planes were flown into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing both towers to collapse within hours.
Another plane struck the Pentagon in Washington D.C., while a fourth crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers fought to regain control. The attacks resulted in the loss of nearly 3,000 lives and left an indelible mark on the global landscape.
Swift’s remarks stood in contrast to the celebratory atmosphere of the awards show, offering a reminder of the importance of reflection and remembrance on a day that holds deep meaning for so many. The attacks not only devastated the United States but also sent shockwaves around the world, and Swift’s acknowledgment of that shared grief underscored her connection to the city and its history.
After her solemn reflection, Swift went on to collect several more awards throughout the night, including the coveted video of the year, marking the third consecutive year she has taken home the prize.
In her acceptance speech for Fortnight, she also gave a heartfelt tribute to her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, who was present on set during the video’s production. “Whenever I said ‘cut’, I would always just hear someone like cheering from across the studio, and that one person was my boyfriend Travis,” Swift said. “Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic.”
The 2024 VMAs, held in New York City’s UBS Arena, marked a night of achievements and reflection. Swift’s tribute to the victims of 9/11 added depth to the celebration, reminding the audience of the importance of remembering those lost in one of the most tragic events of modern history.