]The 2024 MTV Video Music Awards were a night to remember, with standout performances and historic wins from some of the music industry’s biggest stars. Katy Perry, Chappell Roan, and Taylor Swift dominated the event, each taking home prestigious awards.
Katy Perry was honoured with the Video Vanguard Award, MTV’s lifetime achievement equivalent, recognizing her contributions to pop music over the years. Perry celebrated the occasion with a medley of her greatest hits, including I Kissed A Girl, Dark Horse, and Firework, reminding fans why she remains a pop icon.
Meanwhile, rising star Chappell Roan took home the award for best new artist. Roan, who just a year ago was performing for crowds of 200 people, dedicated her win to “all the drag queens who inspired me.” Her rapid ascent has made her one to watch in the pop world, and her emotional acceptance speech was a highlight of the evening.
Taylor Swift continued to cement her legacy, winning seven awards, including the coveted artist of the year and video of the year for her hit Fortnight. This brought her total MTV awards tally to 30, surpassing Beyoncé as the most-awarded artist in the event’s history. Swift, who has now won video of the year three times in a row, expressed her gratitude while also using her platform to encourage her fans to vote in the upcoming US presidential election.
In her acceptance speech, Swift also thanked her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, who supported her on set while she directed the video for Fortnight. “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 ceremony, held at New York City’s UBS Arena, marked the 40th anniversary of the MTV Awards. Cyndi Lauper, who won best female video at the inaugural event in 1984, returned to introduce Sabrina Carpenter, whose song Espresso was named song of the year.
The night also saw performances from a diverse range of artists, including Lenny Kravitz, Shawn Mendes, K-pop star Lisa, and rap legend Eminem, creating an unforgettable celebration of music and talent.