American singer Taylor Swift emerged victorious this Sunday at the Video Music Awards (VMA). She won the prize for best music video of the year for the track All Too Well, the oldest award on MTV. She also earned recognitions for the best long-form video and the best direction in the same ceremony.
The event, held before a full house at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, spread several trophies among top performers. Three statuettes went to Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow for Industry Baby, and another three to Harry Styles for various wins.
Styles did not attend the ceremony, but his album Harry’s House earned year’s best album, and his track As It Was was selected as best pop video and received cinematography honors.
Harlow picked up a solo award for First Class, named the best song of the summer.
New album on October 21
Swift arrived in a sleek dress featuring silver stone accents by Oscar de la Renta and teased a new studio project, Midnight, set for release on October 21. The album will explore thirteen sleepless nights from her life.
In her remarks, she highlighted the contributions of women behind the camera and noted that this year four music video directors were nominated, marking a notable moment for women in the field.
Nicki Minaj, the night’s leading light
Rapper Minaj, a 17-time VMA nominee and five-time winner with hits like Anaconda, Chun-Li, and Hot Girl Summer, claimed the best hip-hop video award for her work Do We Have a Problem? alongside the trophy for her overall performance.
Other winners included Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Rihanna, P!nk, and Jennifer Lopez. Beyond the trophies, Minaj shone through her stage presence, co-hosting with LL COOL J and Jack Harlow.
Latin and Korean flavors
Latin music was celebrated with the best Latin video award going to a Brazilian artist for Envolver, while Lisa’s Lalisa delivered a prominent K-Pop moment with Lalisa. The Prudential Center and nearby Yankee Stadium helped amplify the energy of the night.
Anitta stood out as a Brazilian artist reaching a historic VMA distinction, with Colombians J Balvin and Ryan Castro and Puerto Rican performers joining the lively display that also featured Bad Bunny making a strong appearance.
Bad Bunny accepted Artist of the Year with a concise speech that honored Puerto Rico, its culture, and its language. He stated, I believed I could be great without abandoning my culture and language — I am Benito Antonio Martínez from Puerto Rico for the whole world.
Rosalía’s Saoko won Best Edition, adding to the night’s global flair. In the Latin and K-Pop segments, SEVENTEEN earned Best Push Performance, Blackpink won Best Metaverse Video, and BTS was named Best Group of the Year.
Absence and spectacle on the red carpet
The red carpet, a hallmark of the VMAs since 1984, drew attention with notable absences and standout looks. Johnny Depp attended as a notable absence, while Lizzo and Lil Nas X turned heads with their outfits and presence on the carpet.
Lizzo walked the carpet in a dramatic blue-black gown by Jean Paul Gaultier, accepting the Video for Good award for About Damn Time and making a personal statement about confidence and self-acceptance. Lil Nas X wore a black feathered tiara paired with a carnival-inspired skirt by Harris Reed.
Others who did not appear included Billie Eilish, who received six nominations but did not attend, despite her song Happier Than Ever winning Best Song of the Year. Olivia Rodrigo’s presence was also limited, as she had four nominations and the newly awarded Best New Artist went to Dove Cameron the previous year.