Taylor Swift is poised to be honored with the first-ever Artist Director Award at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
MTV disclosed on Monday that the pop superstar will receive the prize at this year’s ceremony on September 27, according to Billboard.
The newly established honour recognises “groundbreaking music talents whose behind-the-camera work broadens the possibilities of the music video and advances the art of visual storytelling” and “celebrates a lasting and influential body of work by artists who have pushed creative boundaries and forged a distinctive directorial voice,” per a press release.
Swift, who already boasts 30 MTV Moon Persons in her collection, enters this year’s VMAs with nine nominations, including Artist of the Year, Video of the Year for The Fate of Ophelia, and Best Pop for The Fate of Ophelia.
Swift’s tally sits just behind Madonna’s 11 nominations.
Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter are also among this year’s leading nominees, each with seven nods, followed by Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson with five apiece.
Nirvana is set to receive the esteemed Video Vanguard Award at this year’s ceremony.
The 2026 VMAs will be hosted by Snoop Dogg and broadcast live from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on the evening of Sunday, September 27, US time.
