Taylor Swift moves ahead of Beyoncé in VMA awards record
The inaugural Artist Director Honors brought Swift’s reported career total to 31 VMAs. She also premiered a self-directed video starring Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson.
Taylor Swift received the inaugural Artist Director Honors at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, taking her reported tally to 31 and moving her past Beyoncé, who had been tied with her at 30, according to France 24 International.
The honour recognises artists whose work behind the camera has expanded music videos and visual storytelling. The award made Swift the most-awarded artist in VMA history, the report said.
Swift also premiered “Patient Zero”, a video she directed, with Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson starring. The report describes the performers as playing mirror images of each other.
In her acceptance speech, Swift said she had been involved in roughly 60 music videos, including 18 she wrote and directed.
