Taylor Swift will be honoured with a brand new award at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. CBS and MTV announced Monday that Swift will receive the first-ever MTV VMA Artist Director Honors.
The award goes to artists who direct some or all of their own music videos. MTV said the honour is meant for artists whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling.
The network also said the award celebrates a sustained and influential body of work from artists who have pushed creative boundaries and developed a clear directorial voice.
Swift’s directing history
Swift has directed all of her music videos in recent years. She made her solo directorial debut in 2020 with the video for her Lover single “The Man,” which won her best direction at the VMAs.
Her directing work spans many of her biggest hits, including “Cardigan,” “Willow,” “Anti-Hero,” “Bejeweled,” “Lavender Haze,” “Karma,” “I Can See You,” “Fortnight,” “The Fate of Ophelia” and “Opalite.” She also directed “All Too Well: The Short Film.”
Swift holds the record for most Best Direction wins at the VMAs, with four. That puts her ahead of David Fincher, who has three.
This year’s nominations
Swift enters the 2026 ceremony with nine nominations. That total includes Artist of the Year and Video of the Year, both tied to her song “The Fate of Ophelia.” She also picked up a nomination in the Best Direction category this year for “Opalite.”
Her nine nominations place her second behind Madonna, who leads this year’s field with 11.
The ceremony
The 2026 VMAs will air live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 27. The show runs from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and a stream on Paramount+.
Snoop Dogg will host the ceremony. Madonna is set to open the show with her first VMAs performance in 23 years. Nirvana will receive the Video Vanguard Award at this year’s event.
- Taylor Swift
