Pop sensation Taylor Swift shines at MTV Video Music Awards for Anti-Hero song
In a dazzling night of music and celebration, pop sensation Taylor Swift emerged as the shining star at the MTV Video Music Awards on Tuesday, clinching the prestigious Video of the Year award and several other accolades for her chart-topping hit, “Anti-Hero.”
“Anti-Hero,” the debut single from Swift’s highly-anticipated “Midnights” album, delves into themes of insecurity, featuring a powerful chorus with the lyrics, “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.” Upon accepting her Moon Person statuette on stage, Swift expressed her disbelief and gratitude, saying, “This is unbelievable. The fact that this is a fan-voted award means so much to me.”
Earlier in the evening, the 33-year-old artist was visibly thrilled to receive the Best Pop Video award from none other than the members of the iconic 1990s boy band NSYNC, a group that had claimed the same honor two decades ago. Swift, filled with nostalgia, exclaimed to the band members, including Lance Bass and Justin Timberlake, “I had your dolls! You are pop personified. So to receive this from your golden pop hands, it’s too much.”
“Anti-Hero” also secured victory in the categories of Song of the Year and Best Direction.
Among the evening’s other notable winners was rapper Ice Spice, who was named Best New Artist. K-pop sensations Stray Kids, formed through a reality show, walked away with the coveted Best K-pop award, while SZA’s “Shirt” was recognized as the Best R&B video. In a historic moment, Rema and Selena Gomez received the very first VMA for Afrobeats music, honoring their collaboration, “Calm Down.”
The star-studded event, held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, featured electrifying performances by industry heavyweights such as Demi Lovato, Lil Wayne, Olivia Rodrigo, host Nicki Minaj, and rap mogul Sean Diddy Combs, who was honored with the Global Icon award. Minaj, also a recipient of the Best Hip-Hop Video trophy, joined forces with Grandmaster Flash, LL Cool J, and other rap legends in a dynamic multi-song celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, concluding with Run DMC’s iconic “Walk This Way.”
In a poignant moment, Colombian pop sensation Shakira was bestowed with the Video Vanguard Award in recognition of her lifetime achievements. Following a captivating bilingual medley performance of her greatest hits, including “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Whenever, Wherever,” Shakira expressed her gratitude to her devoted fans, saying, “Thank you so much for being my army and helping me fight all my battles.”
