VMAs 2024: Taylor Swift wins, Sabrina Carpenter brings ‘Espresso’
NEW YORK - Few artists are having a bigger year than Sabrina Carpenter, who brought her summery-pop to the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards. She powered through her hit singles "Please Please Please," "Taste" and "Espresso" while dancing with a moon man and an alien.
Taylor Swift and Post Malone took home the first award of the night, for best collaboration, handed to them by Flavor Flav and Olympian Jordan Chiles.
ELMONT, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Taylor Swift accepts the Best Collaboration award for "Fortnight" on stage during the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 11, 2024 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for MTV)
Swift started her speech by giving remembrance to everyone who lost their lives and loved ones during 9/11, 23 years ago, before discussing Malone.
"There is a reason Post Malone is everyone in music’s favorite person to collaborate with," she shifted her attention to him. "It has taken forever for me to get him to stop calling me ma’am."
US rapper Eminem (C) performs on stage during the MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on September 11, 2024. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
An army of Slim Shady-lookalikes followed Eminem as he kicked off the VMAs , launching into a medley of his hits "Houdini" and "Somebody Save Me," featuring a broadcast feed of Jelly Roll. (The song references Jelly Roll’s massive country radio hit, "Save Me.")
Megan Thee Stallion welcomed the crowd as a first-time host Wednesday night, who joked that the VMAs now stands for the "voluptuous Megan awards."
ELMONT, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Megan Thee Stallion hosts the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 11, 2024 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV)
Then Karol G took over, for a fiery performance of her hit, "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido."
Blackpink’s LISA made her way to the VMA stage for the first time as a soloist, powering through two of her brand-new singles, "New Woman" and "Rockstar." Shawn Mendes made along-awaited return, debuting a new John Mayer-esq. acoustic number, "Nobody Knows."
The VMAs are being held at the UBS Arena on New York’s Long Island.
The night is stacked celebrities and promises a lot more Swift, who arrived at the award show wearing a green tartan corset with a matching train and long black leather gloves.
ELMONT, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Taylor Swift attends the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 11, 2024 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for MTV)
It could be a big one for her. Will she become the most-awarded musician in VMAs history?
The pop star leads the nominations with 12 — eight for her "Fortnight" music video, two social categories and nods in the best pop and artist of the year categories. She’s followed by her "Fortnight" collaborator Post Malone, who has 11. He is nominated along with Swift 10 times and earned his 11th nom for his country hit "I Had Some Help," featuring Morgan Wallen.
Taylor Swift and Post Malone accept the Best Collaboration award for "Fortnight" on stage at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards held at UBS Arena on September 11, 2024 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)
Winning would give Swift a prominent stage to voice support for Kamala Harris’ presidential bid. Swift endorsed the vice president Tuesday night, moments after Harris’ debate with former president Donald Trump ended.
RELATED: Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for president following debate
Shaboozey reacted to her endorsement on the VMAs red carpet, telling The Associated Press, "I think you just do you, you know? Do what you’re feel in your heart. Just be honest with yourself," he said. "Just walking your truth, you know."
If prior years are any indication, Swift may make multiple speeches.
She took home nine VMAs last year, bringing her total to an impressive 23. That places her just behind Beyoncé, who has 30 and just ahead of Madonna, who has 20 awards. Lady Gaga, has 19.
Seven Swift wins would tie Beyoncé’s record, and if she wins eight, she could become the most awarded musician in VMA history.
That is, if Beyoncé doesn’t take home any of her own trophies. She’s up for song of the year ("Texas Hold ‘Em") and two social categories.
Katy Perry will receive the Video Vanguard Award and also perform. Previous recipients include Shakira, Beyoncé, Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna and Missy Elliott.
Other scheduled performers include Benson Boone, Megan Thee Stallion, Chappell Roan, GloRilla, Halsey, Lenny Kravitz, Rauw Alejandro, LL COOL J, Camila Cabello and Anitta, who will be joined by Fat Joe, DJ Khaled and Tiago PZK.
The VMAs are airing on MTV and simulcast on BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Nick at Nite, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land, VH1, and in Spanish on Univision.